Chapter 19
**Chapter 19: The Basement p>
The Basement.
The plan had been meticulously crafted, and now it was time to put it into action.
Serena and Alice had decided to make their way into the grand Kline mansion after six o’clock that evening. To ensure everything went smoothly, Alice had taken the early morning shift at her job, allowing her to be free for the heist.
While still in Velmon City, Serena had met with the agent responsible for the sale of a warehouse, an opportunity that seemed too golden to overlook. Yes, she was preparing to leave soon, but this investment could prove to be a turning point in her financial future. If there was ever a moment to be prudent with her money, it was
now.
With the payment for her marital home processing, she and the agent had finalized their agreement. By the end of the week, Serena would officially own a ten-acre property-one that held the potential for a significant fortune down the line.
At precisely three in the afternoon, Alice clocked out of work. She hurried to pick up Serena so they could gather the few essentials they would need for their audacious plan.
Not that they required much. Serena had stumbled upon a secret backdoor entrance to the mansion during one of her childhood escapades. Remarkably, that part of the house had remained untouched over the years.
By five o’clock, both Serena and Alice were stationed outside the old Kline mansion, their hearts pounding with a mix of excitement and trepidation.
“Looks like we’ve got two officers on duty,” Alice observed, her brow furrowed in concentration. “They seem to be focused on the front of the house. We can definitely work with this p>
Serena let out a heavy sigh, her heart racing in her chest.
“Alright, here’s the plan,” Alice said, her voice filled with determination. “I’ll go in, and you keep watch out here p>
Alice slipped on a Bluetooth headset, adding, “As long as we’re connected, you can direct me on where to go p>
Serena frowned, a knot of anxiety forming in her stomach. This wasn’t going to work.
For one, she had only shown Alice the secret back entrance once, and that was ages ago. Her friend had never actually ventured through it herself, not even once. “No way,” Serena insisted, shaking her head. “You stay out here, and I’ll go in.” Alice gasped, her eyes wide with disbelief. “No, I can’t let my pregnant friend go in there alone p>
“If I get caught, I’ll just say I thought I still had the right to enter,” Serena replied, trying to sound more confident than she felt. After all, the mansion belonged to the Klines, but with Nathaniel’s ongoing case against Victor, the court had granted him sole custody of the estate.
“Now I really regret suggesting this,” Alice muttered, her voice tinged with worry.
“Well, there’s no turning back now,” Serena said, her determination solidifying. “Let’s go around to the back p>
They drove slowly around the block, Alice at the wheel, both of them trying to remain inconspicuous. Behind the Kline mansion was a gazebo, a quaint structure often used for neighborhood gatherings and outdoor events.
Serena stepped out of the car, donning gloves and a mask to conceal her identity. She made her way toward the gazebo, her heart thumping loudly in her chest. Behind it lay a thick patch of overgrown vegetation, the one blind spot in the mansion’s security.
This was her entry point.
With a deep breath, Serena pushed through the tangled vines, brushing leaves aside as they scraped against her arms. A sharp sting reminded her of the risks she was taking, but she pressed on, her focus unwavering. On the other side, she found the back fence, slightly bent at the bottom corner, a result of years of neglect.
Crouching down, she carefully lifted the loosened section of the fence just enough to slide herself beneath it, dirt smudging her palms and knees. As she straightened up in the backyard, a wave of realization washed over her-she was trespassing.
Taking a moment to steady herself, she approached the basement window, her heart pounding in her ears.
Kneeling, she brushed aside the overgrown weeds and began to claw at the damp earth with her fingers. The cold, stubborn soil felt just as her old nanny had described it—a reminder of the past. The foundation of the mansion was lined with ancient bricks, each one steeped in memories.
After a minute of digging, her fingers finally brushed against the one spot she had been searching for.
The loose brick.
It was exactly where it had been seventeen years ago.
A shaky breath escaped her lips as she marveled at the fact that no one had discovered it.
But then again… this brick was meant to be a secret. It was her lifeline during those harrowing three days locked away in the basement.
With careful hands, Serena pried the brick free, allowing the cold air to seep through the gap. She slid her slender arm into the narrow opening, her fingers feeling blindly until
Click.
The window latch released.
With her heart racing, she eased the window open and slipped inside. Old fears crept up her spine, but she pushed them aside and forged ahead.
However, the moment she glanced around the dark basement, memories from the past flooded her mind.
Her chest tightened painfully.
She felt the air leave her lungs.
As she turned to the very spot where Victor had once tied her down with a chain, tears began to spill down her cheeks.
She could never forget. How could she? It was the most traumatic experience of her
life.
Seventeen years ago.
“Ahhh p>
Serena’s scream pierced the air as
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Victor’s hand struck the side of her head. Pain exploded behind her eyes. “You will stay here with no food on water until you learn your
lesson!” he bellowed, his voice echoing with fury. “You ungrateful
child! How dare you hurt my guest’s
daughter p>
“Dad, please! I didn’t do it on purpose!” Serena cried, stumbling backward in fright.
“She-she stuck out her foot! I tripped, and the tea spilled p>
At just eight years old, Serena had
been tasked with serving when Victor had invited guests over-a family of three she had never met.
y of the had been order
As always, she bring tea to the patio. Roselind had
instructed her to be careful, and she had done her best. Contént
But as she approached the table, the guests’ daughter-a young blond girl around her age-had deliberately extended hereg blocking Serena’s path. Serena hadnt even had time to react. She stumbled, the trayo lurched, and hot tea splashed onto the girl’s arm. Content bétongs
It was a small burn. A mistake. An accident.
But Victor had not cared.
“You humiliated me!” he spat, grabbing her arm and dragging her toward the
basement. “You always ruin everything p>
He shoved her hard.
Serena tumbled down the stairs, pain shooting through her back and ankle. Before
she could catch her breath, the door slammed shut behind her. For three agonizing
days, Victor kept her locked in the dark.
Three days with no light, and no mercy.
On the first day, Serena had no food or water. She would have starved and dehydrated if not for her old nanny, who quietly slipped small portions through the loose brick she had tampered with.
It was the cruelest thing her father had ever done, an incident that brought social services to their door and forced Serena into a year of therapy.
She never discovered who had alerted the authorities, but after the investigation,
Victor and Roselind had stopped laying a hand on her.
They became more careful. They no longer struck her, but their indifference hurt just the same.