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The sun was falling warmly, hanging in the clear blue sky without the harshness of summer. It was not too warm; it enveloped the body like soft, comfortable, long-lasting cotton underwear. The wind that blew from time to time didnât give a cold feeling either.
The sun was fair, but on the balcony in front of the courtyard sat a woman with scattered black hair. The balcony windows were open so that she could breathe in the fresh air, but she looked like she was in a lot of pain. The balcony was installed with an escape-proof window and she was locked in the room. It was the only place from which she could see the outside world.
Other than a maid, the only person left was Sampson. Sampson had never left this place since she had been taken there, but today, for some reason, he had left this place.
At first glance, it appeared that he believed she had amnesia and hadnât given her the injection, but he didnât really believe her. She hardly let him out of her sight for a second and even had the servant follow her when she went to the bathroom.
She had thought that on a day like today she would be able to breathe freely and find a way to get out, but Sampson had locked her in the house.
The only window in the room was this balcony, but it too was sealed. It was as if she had to turn into a butterfly if she wanted to escape from here.
She closed her eyes slowly. If she wasnât there, were Samuel and Simona going to look for her?
Did they miss her?
What were they all doing right now�
Besides, was Matthew worried about her? He was looking for her⦠she didnât know anything.
At that moment, there was the sound of the door opening.
Dolores opened her eyes immediately. Her expression of pain and anxiety disappeared, transformed into a look of ignorance.
She clasped her hands behind her back and stared at the door.
Sampson was wearing black casual clothes, a visored cap and black sunglasses. He removed the cap and sunglasses as he opened the door.
âLola, Iâm back.â He left what he had just removed on the table, closed the door and walked toward Dolores.
Dolores stepped back calmly, feigning dissatisfaction, âYou have me locked in the house, you wonât even take me out. You say you love me, but why do I feel like Iâm a prisoner?â.
Sampson came over and hugged her, âYou idiot, Iâm protecting you. There are too many bad people out there. Iâm afraid if you go out other people will hurt you, hurt you. You should appreciate that.â
As he said, Sampson pinched her nose and lowered his head to kiss her foreheadâ¦.
Doloresâ body was stiff and she wanted to push him away, but she was afraid he would suspect she hadnât lost her memory and give her the injection.
As much as it disgusted her, she could only endure. She pretended to be shy and gave him a light playful nudge, âI havenât eaten yet, now Iâm hungry.â Actually, she wasnât hungry; it was just an excuse for him to let her go.
Sampson frowned and looked at the time, âItâs almost two, why havenât you had lunch yet?â.
Dolores lowered her head. Her mouth curved in a particularly mocking arch, âYou locked the door, even the maid couldnât open it, how was I supposed to eat?â
Sampson had forgotten this. To keep Dolores from running away, he trusted no one. He had reservations even about the servant he had bought at a high price and kept the key to the upstairs.
âAre you angry?â Sampson lifted her chin, asking her to look at him.
Dolores blinked and took the opportunity to vent her discontent, âWhat do you think? Youâve got me locked in a room like a prisoner and you wonât even give me food, if it were you, wouldnât you be mad?â.
Sampson smiled and apologized, âItâs my fault, I overlooked it. You can punish me.â
âI dare not.â Dolores lowered her eyes.
âThereâs nothing to be afraid of. As long as you want it, Iâm sure Iâll satisfy you.â promised Sampson, patting her breast.
She widened her eyes innocently and looked at him expectantly, âThen I want to go out, can you give me a lift?â
âSure.â Sampson promised, hugging her shoulders, âBut before you go out, you have to eat first. Come on, what do you want to eat, Iâll get the servant to prepare it for you.â Dolores was so excited that he actually agreed to take her outside and she could have a chance to escape, she casually said, âUdon noodles.â
Sampson came down the stairs with Dolores in his arms, âBess, make some udon for her.â
âOkay.â Bess was wearing an apron and dusting the TV. Hearing Sampson, she put down the cleaning rag and walked into the kitchen.
Still holding Dolores, Sampson sat down in front of the couch. He took a lock of her hair and kissed it. He was obsessed with the way she smelled and looked. Whenever he was with her, he wanted to hold her, touch her hair, kiss her cheeks, etc.
Dolores endured her stomach churning with disgust and asked shyly, âWhen are you going to take me out?â
âTomorrow.â Sampson squinted as he sniffed her hair.
Dolores lowered her eyes and her long eyelashes trembled slightly. She didnât dare believe Sampsonâs frank words, âReally?â
âReally.â Sampson took a deep breath and hugged her, âIâve just gone out to fix it and Iâll take you tomorrow.â
He had not been in contact with anyone, which was also planned at the time.
If there was contact between him and anyone else, it would have left traces. Regardless of whether Matthew could find out that the Dolores in his house wasnât the real one, Sampson couldnât risk anyone knowing that Dolores was here.
Going through the regular conduit now required an ID card, whether it was a train or plane ticket. The real name system made it very easy to unmask them. So he had packed a car and decided not to get on a highway. He was going to leave B-town on a small road and then go to a county in Sichuan province where there were many mountains and the roads were not very developed. It was far from City B and he could easily live there for a while.
When the streak passed, he was going to take Dolores away from this country so that no one could find them again.
Then he was going to be able to live with her forever and even have his own children in the future.
He had no remorse left in this life.
Dolores felt as if she had been struck by thunder. Did he want to take her away from here?
âI think itâs very nice hereâ¦â
âThis is not our home.â Sampson interrupted her.
Bess brought the noodles, âThe noodles are ready.â
âPut them on the table.â Sampson said as he took the chopsticks from Bess and handed them to Dolores, âHurry up and eat, it wonât taste good if it puffs up.â
Dolores took the chopsticks. She had no appetite at all, but still pretended to eat very heartily. Her stomach ached after eating. The noodles felt like stones, filling her stomach all the way to her esophagus, undigested.
âDonât you feel well?â asked Sampson.
Dolores clutched her abdomen with a pale face but said nothing.
âIâll help you up and rest for a while.â Sampson helped her up.
Seeing her very uncomfortable, Bess suggested, âWould you like a doctor to check you out?â
Sampson gave her a sidelong glance and cautioned, âCanât I see that youâre feeling sick? Do I need a reminder?â
No outsider could know this place and he wasnât going to allow strangers to come here.
He wasnât going to allow any accidents to happen.
Bess realized she had said too much and lowered her head.
Dolores knew what was wrong with her; it was probably because of her bad mood and the food.
She went back into the room and lay down on the bed, âCan you let me rest alone in the room for a while?â
He hadnât let her call a doctor, so when she made this request Sampson couldnât refuse again. He told her, âOkay, get a good rest. Iâll come up later.â
Dolores closed her eyes solemnly, not wanting to say another word.
She snuggled into the comforter, but kept her eyes open watching Sampson close the door.
She was really tired. The night before, Sampson had slept in this room with her, holding her. She hadnât been able to sleep at all, not daring to close her eyes, afraid to fall asleep for fear of what he might do to her.
Now, she was really exhausted and her stomach felt really bad too.
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