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Chapter_76
Whitney’s heart pounded as the tall, burly woman walked toward her, her heavy steps echoing through the dimly lit holding cell. The scent of stale alcohol clung to the air, and the oppressive silence of the place made Whitney feel even more isolated. The cold walls seemed to close in around her, amplifying her unease.
The woman’s eyes glinted as she took in Whitney’s fragile form, her gaze lingering on Whitney’s pregnant belly. “New in town?” she asked, her voice deep and rough.
Whitney’s stomach churned. She could already tell this wasn’t going to be a friendly conversation. She squared her shoulders, trying to keep her composure. The last thing she needed right now was to show weakness. “I’m just waiting to get out of here,” she said, her voice firmer than she felt. “So, unless you have something useful to say, I’m not interested.”
The woman grinned, a smirk twisting her lips. “Oh, I think you’ll be interested in a lot of things in here. This isn’t a place for the faint-hearted, sweetheart.”
Whitney’s eyes narrowed, trying to read the woman’s intentions. She had heard all kinds of stories about what could happen in a place like this, but she wasn’t about to let some thug intimidate her. Not after everything she had gone through.
“I’m not afraid of you,” Whitney replied, her voice steady, though her heart was racing. “I’m innocent, and I’ll get out of here soon enough.”
The woman stepped closer, towering over Whitney as she scrutinized her with cold, calculating eyes. “Innocent?” she repeated, her voice dripping with disdain. “Well, honey, we’re all guilty of something in here. And if you think you’re just going to walk out of here without making some enemies, you’ve got another thing coming.”
Whitney instinctively placed a hand on her belly, but she refused to show any sign of fear. “You can think whatever you want. But I won’t be here long. And when I’m out, I’ll make sure the truth comes to light.”
The woman’s eyes sparkled with a mix of amusement and menace. She leaned in closer, her breath foul and heavy. “You’re pregnant, huh?” She chuckled darkly. “Not exactly the best place for someone in your condition. But maybe that’s just fate, don’t you think?”
Whitney’s spine stiffened, but she didn’t back down. “I’m not here to play games. So if you’re done with your little speech, I’d like some peace.”
The woman didn’t seem to mind Whitney’s defiance. In fact, she seemed to relish it. “You’ve got fire, I’ll give you that. But how long do you think that’ll last in a place like this?” Her voice dropped to a low, mocking tone. “Don’t worry, sweetheart, you’ll learn your place soon enough.”
Whitney’s resolve hardened. She wasn’t about to let this woman—or anyone else—break her. She’d been through worse, and she could handle whatever this place threw at her. “I’ll survive, just like I always have.”
The woman laughed, a cruel sound that echoed off the walls of the cell. “We’ll see about that, won’t we?”
With that, she turned and stalked off, leaving Whitney standing alone in the silence. Her heart hammered in her chest, but she kept her composure. As the woman’s footsteps faded, Whitney sank back onto the hard bench, a sense of helplessness creeping over her. The weight of her situation was unbearable.
Her thoughts quickly shifted to Tiana. The last time they’d spoken, Tiana had promised to help her. But what if she was already too late? Whitney’s heart sank as she realized just how vulnerable she was. She needed help, but the people she trusted most were too far away. Ludwik, Tiana, even L—they all seemed out of reach.
She wrapped her arms around herself, shivering from the cold. The dim light flickered above her, and the sound of distant murmurs filled the air. Whitney felt a wave of nausea wash over her, not just from the hunger gnawing at her stomach, but from the fear that tightened in her chest. She wasn’t used to feeling so helpless. She had always been in control, always had a plan, but now? Now she was stuck in a cold, unforgiving cell with no way out.
Her mind raced. Was it too late to call for help? Was it too late for anyone to even care? She had tried calling Ludwik, but his phone had been off. Her fingers tightened into fists as frustration bubbled inside her. Why hadn’t he answered? Didn’t he care?
The sudden noise at the door broke her thoughts. Whitney’s breath caught in her throat, but she didn’t move. She wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or terrified when two more women were shoved into the cell. One of them, a tall figure with inked arms and a rough demeanor, took notice of Whitney immediately.
“Hey, new girl,” the woman said, her voice gruff. “You’re in the wrong place.”
Whitney glanced up, meeting the woman’s sharp eyes. “I’m not here to make friends,” she replied coldly.
The woman smirked, taking a few steps closer. “We’ll see about that,” she said, her tone full of menace. “You’ll need to learn the ropes here. And trust me, there’s no easy way out.”
Whitney’s eyes flickered with defiance. She wasn’t going to let anyone push her around. “I’ll deal with whatever comes my way. Just stay out of my way.”
The woman laughed, an unsettling sound. “Oh, we’ll see how long that lasts.” With that, she walked away, leaving Whitney alone once more.
As the cold settled deeper into her bones, Whitney sat back, her mind swirling with questions. What was going to happen next? And how much longer would she have to wait before someone came to her rescue?
