For an entire week, Valerie worked quietly on her escape plan.
Every movement she made had to look normal. Every step had to be careful. If Caroline or Betsy even suspected what she was planning, everything would be over before it began.
Late at night, after finishing all her chores, she would sit on the small bed in the basement and think.
She packed a small bag—something light enough that it wouldn't slow her down if she had to run. Inside it, she placed the few things she owned: a change of clothes, the little savings she had managed to hide over the months, and some leftover dry food she had secretly kept aside—pieces of bread and a few bottled beverages.
It wasn't much, but it was all she had.
The thought of leaving the only home she had ever known frightened her. Outside those gates was a world she knew almost nothing about.
But staying meant something even worse.
Caroline and Betsy were already busy planning the wedding.
Her wedding.
Valerie never allowed herself to truly think about it. Every time the thought tried to enter her mind, she pushed it away.
She simply knew one thing.
She could never marry that man.
She could never marry someone older than her father just to satisfy Caroline's greed.
Five days before the wedding, Valerie finally made her move.
That night, the mansion was unusually quiet. The lights in the upper floors had gone out one by one, and the entire house seemed to sink into deep sleep.
Valerie waited patiently in the darkness of the basement.
Her heart pounded loudly in her chest.
When she was certain everyone was asleep, she picked up her small bag and slowly pushed open the basement door.
Every creak of the wooden stairs made her freeze.
But no one came.
Step by step, she made her way out of the house.
The moment she stepped outside the gates of the mansion, she didn't look back.
She ran.
She ran as fast as her legs could carry her until she reached the nearest park several streets away. Her lungs burned from the effort, but she didn't stop until she saw a taxi parked near the roadside.
The driver looked surprised when she rushed toward him.
"Where to?" he asked.
Valerie hesitated.
She knew she had to go somewhere far enough that Caroline would not easily find her.
"The next town," she said quickly.
The driver nodded and started the engine.
As the taxi pulled away from the familiar streets of her childhood, Valerie finally allowed herself to breathe.
She was free.
At least for now.
The Next Morning
The following morning, Caroline noticed something unusual.
Valerie had not come upstairs to begin her usual chores.
Normally, by that time, the house would already be spotless and breakfast would be nearly ready.
Caroline frowned.
"Betsy," she called impatiently. "Go downstairs and get that useless girl. She's already late."
Betsy rolled her eyes but went down to the basement.
A few minutes later, a loud shout echoed through the house.
"Mum!"
Caroline looked up sharply as Betsy ran into the living room.
"She's gone!"
Caroline frowned.
"What do you mean she's gone?"
"I mean Valerie!" Betsy said breathlessly. "Her things are missing. The basement is almost empty."
Caroline stood up immediately.
"Take me there."
They both hurried downstairs.
When they reached the basement, Caroline stopped in the doorway.
The small room that Valerie had been forced to live in looked almost abandoned.
The few rags that once served as bedding were gone.
Her small belongings had disappeared.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then the realization finally settled in.
Valerie had escaped.
Caroline's face turned pale.
"Oh my God…" she whispered.
Her mind immediately jumped to the real problem.
"What am I going to tell Mr. Elvis?" she cried out in panic. "We have already taken his money!"
She began pacing back and forth furiously.
"That useless girl!" she shouted. "She has ruined everything!"
Beside her, Betsy's expression slowly darkened.
"Mum," she said coldly, "we can still find her."
Caroline stopped pacing.
Her eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Yes," she said slowly.
"We will find her."
In the Next Town
Valerie arrived in the next town a few hours before dawn.
The streets were still quiet, with only a few early workers moving around.
Exhaustion was beginning to catch up with her.
Not far from the park where the taxi dropped her off, she noticed a small hotel with a dimly lit sign at the entrance.
Gathering what little courage she had left, Valerie walked inside and asked for a room.
After checking in, she barely had the strength to remove her shoes before collapsing onto the bed.
Sleep came almost instantly.
That night, Valerie slept better than she had in years.
There were no footsteps outside the basement door.
No shouting.
No fear of sudden punishment.
Just silence.
When she finally woke up the next morning, sunlight streamed softly through the window.
For a moment, she simply sat there, enjoying the strange feeling of peace.
Then reality returned.
She sat up slowly and began thinking about what to do next.
If she continued staying in the hotel and buying food, her savings would disappear within two days.
And as an orphan, she had no relatives she could run to.
That left her with only one option.
She had to find a job.
After having a small brunch at the hotel café, Valerie stepped outside and began walking through the town.
She carefully checked every shop and building she passed, hoping to find a sign that said Vacancy.
She was willing to do anything.
Cleaning, cooking, serving—whatever work was available, as long as it provided accommodation and food.
But after hours of searching, she found nothing.
Tired and discouraged, Valerie slowly made her way back toward the hotel.
As she approached the gate, something suddenly caught her eye.
A small sign had been hung near the entrance.
Vacancy.
Her heart skipped.
Without wasting another second, she rushed inside and approached the receptionist.
"Excuse me," she said politely. "I saw the vacancy sign outside. I would like to apply."
The receptionist looked at her briefly.
"You'll have to wait for the manager," she said. "He will conduct the interview."
Valerie nodded and sat quietly in the waiting area.
Later that evening, she was finally called into the manager's office.
The manager, a middle-aged man named Mr. Johnson, studied her carefully.
"I was told you're looking for work," he said. "But you look quite young. Are you sure you can handle this kind of job?"
Valerie clasped her hands nervously.
"Good evening, sir. My name is Valerie," she said politely. "I really need this job, and I promise I am very hardworking. You won't regret hiring me."
Mr. Johnson observed her for a moment before nodding slowly.
"Alright. If you're willing to work hard, we can give you a chance."
Valerie's heart lifted slightly.
"You will assist in the kitchen," he continued. "Cleaning, helping with cooking, and sometimes serving customers. If you perform well, you may be promoted later."
He leaned back in his chair.
"We have staff quarters behind the hotel. You will stay there, and we provide two meals a day."
Valerie's eyes filled with relief.
"You can rest today," Mr. Johnson added. "Your work begins tomorrow morning."
"Is that acceptable?"
"Yes, sir," Valerie replied quickly. "Thank you very much. I truly appreciate this opportunity."
After discussing her salary and responsibilities, a staff member showed her to her room.
The room was small.
Much smaller than the servants' quarters she once had in her father's mansion.
But to Valerie, it felt like a blessing.
It was clean.
It was quiet.
And most importantly—
It was hers.
As she arranged her few belongings in the small space, a strange feeling filled her chest.
For the first time in months, she felt something she had almost forgotten.
Hope.
Tomorrow would be the beginning of her new life.