Chapter 005

Morgan’s POV

Aurora's eyes widened with surprise as I ended the brief call. "What was that about? Who's hurt?"

I gripped my phone tightly, torn for the second time today between escape and obligation. Was it too much to ask not to be treated as a medical resource? Part of me wanted to board Aurora's private jet and leave the Reynolds and Montgomery families to their own problems. But if Catherine truly had an accident, I couldn't just leave. Despite never truly protecting me, Catherine was the only one who'd shown me any warmth in that family.

Aurora drove her flashy red Tesla faster than usual, stealing moments to comfort me. "Don't worry too much. I'm sure Catherine is fine."

"I... thanks," I replied softly.

I couldn't say "I know" or "I hope so." If Catherine hadn't truly had an accident, it meant the only person who'd shown me any warmth was being used to lure me back to the Montgomery family's golden cage.

I didn't want to consider this possibility, but if Robert's beloved wife were truly injured, the call wouldn't have been so brief and cold. Robert would have sent his private medical team and bodyguards to retrieve me, not hung up after a few frigid words.

I tore my flight itinerary into pieces—once, twice, three times—scattering the fragments along the coastal road between the private airfield and Bel Air. Between the freedom I'd nearly grasped and my gilded nightmare.

I could arrange another flight, but I'd never truly be free. As Olivia's "stem cell provider," escape would always be impossible. How naive I'd been to think I could leave, just because Olivia's last stem cell treatment was complete, giving me at least a few months' buffer before any emergency.

I'm sorry, Catherine, I thought, but I hope you really had an accident, so at least Robert's call was genuine. Please don't let me discover you're deceiving me too.

When Aurora parked in front of the Montgomery mansion in Bel Air, my whole body tensed up. The huge estate was brightly lit, with luxury cars like filling the driveway. Through the tall windows, I saw people in fancy clothes, holding champagne glasses under sparkling chandeliers. It was a celebration. A damn celebration for Olivia's successful treatment.

I felt a lump in my throat, turning into pure anger. Catherine wasn't hurt—there was no emergency. Robert's urgent call was just a lie to pull me back into their trap.

The betrayal cut so deep I could feel it slicing through my organs. Alexander—it had to be him. He'd revealed my escape plan to them, probably moments after I sent the message. Just ONE genuine response from him would have been enough to make me stay. One real moment between us, and I might have believed we could raise this child together. But he couldn't even pretend that much.

My nails dug into my palms so hard that I felt warm blood between my fingers. The physical pain was intense. But it was nothing compared to the mental torture. I realized that even my attempt to escape had been anticipated, watched, and stopped.

I entered the Baroque-style mansion, one of the most luxurious estates in Bel Air, a place I'd called home that never truly was one.

Crossing the terrace, I spotted Alexander in his perfectly tailored Italian suit, keeping his polished shoes a safe distance from the champagne tower. He sat beside a sculpture on loan from The Getty Center, amber whiskey in hand, Olivia across from him. When he saw me, he frowned and turned away, pretending not to notice my existence.

Inside, the Montgomery family's senior butler Johnson approached immediately. "Mrs. Reynolds, Mr. Montgomery is waiting in his study."

"I thought Catherine had an accident?" I said sarcastically, playing along with their game.

Johnson avoided my gaze, merely repeating his message. He was just a butler, a paid servant, just as I was merely a medical resource. One tool needn't explain anything to another.

Johnson bowed again before leading the way.

When I entered the study, Robert glanced at me before returning his attention to the production contract he was reading. "Morgan, Richard Garner has agreed to direct your screenplay. Pre-production starts next Monday."

Richard Garner, the legendary Hollywood director. Industry insiders said he had the golden touch—any actor he directed became an overnight sensation. For a new screenwriter like me, this was the opportunity of a lifetime.

I ignored his generous offer meant to lock away my freedom, directly challenging him. "How's mom? You said she had an accident on the phone."

Robert finally looked up, dangerously narrowing his eyes. He wasn't used to me questioning him so directly. In family circles, he'd never shied away from calling me a "living pharmacy."

"She's resting in the master bedroom. Just a minor headache, nothing serious," he replied with a filmmaker's calculated calm. "You wouldn't want to disturb her. This film is your only chance, Morgan. Richard greatly admires your talent."

He'd used Catherine to lure me back, not even bothering to craft a convincing accident story. That's how the Montgomery family viewed me—not even worth a carefully constructed lie.

The emotions I had suppressed finally exploded, my last thread of restraint snapping. Trembling with adrenaline, I raised my voice. "I WANT TO SEE CATHERINE!"

A moment later, I heard Catherine's soft, sad whisper behind me. "Morgan..."

I turned to see Catherine standing in the doorway, completely healthy without any sign of injury. She smiled, holding a cup of hot tea, still looking at me with those eyes full of love. If anyone in this study looked like the patient, it was me with my arm in a sling.

Something inside me completely collapsed. Unprecedented rage surged through me, my vision briefly darkening before becoming clear. I turned to Robert, my voice almost manic. "First it was family captivity, then marriage, and now a career, right?" My voice gradually rose. "You only know Richard Garner's film is attractive, but do you know what I wrote in my screenplay?"

Robert leaned back, clearly shocked by my sudden outburst. He'd never seen me like this.

"That screenplay could ruin the Montgomery family!"