Accidentally Yours, My Super Rich Second Husband-Chapter 78: Determined

Delphinia had been awake since the early hours of the morning. The faint gray of dawn slipping through the curtains was the only sign time was moving. She sat upright on the edge of the bed, her back stiff, her legs drawn close to her chest as she gazed out the window. The faint glow of the outside world felt like a taunt—freedom so near and yet so impossibly far.

Every noise in the house startled her. The creak of doors, the distant hum of footsteps, even the faint rustle of the wind against the walls—all of it sent her heart racing. She’d been like this for hours now, too alert to rest and too trapped to feel safe.

Her thoughts swirled in relentless circles. Did Evander realize I didn’t come home? What would he think? Would he care at all? Or would he shrug it off like it doesn’t matter? She bit her lip, her teeth pressing into the tender skin as she imagined his reaction.

Maybe he’d be angry... or maybe he’d be worried.

A flicker of hope bloomed in her chest, but she quickly crushed it. It didn’t matter. She couldn’t afford to care about Evander’s feelings right now. She needed to focus on herself, on finding a way out of this suffocating prison her father had dragged her back to.

As the morning light brightened, a sudden knock at the door jolted her from her thoughts. She froze, her breath hitching, as the sound echoed through the room. Her eyes darted to the door, wide and alert.

Before she could react, the door unlocked with a loud click, and it swung open slowly. A maid entered, pushing a cart piled with food.

"Good morning, Miss Delphinia," the maid greeted politely, though there was a hint of nervousness in her tone. "I’ve brought your breakfast."

Delphinia’s eyes flickered to the open door, and she caught a glimpse of two men standing just outside. They were her father’s men, unmistakable in their dark suits and stern expressions. Their gazes swept the room, cold and calculating, as if assessing every detail.

Were they standing there all night? she wondered, her stomach tighten with unease.

The thought sent a chill down her spine. Any hope she had of slipping away unnoticed evaporated instantly. Even with the maid distracted, those guards wouldn’t let her get so much as a foot outside this room.

The maid moved efficiently, setting the tray of food on the small table near the window. Plates of freshly cooked eggs, toast, and fruit were arranged neatly, the aroma filling the room. The food smelled amazing, but Delphinia had no desire to eat.

"There you go, Miss," the maid said with a small bow. "Enjoy your breakfast."

Delphinia nodded stiffly, her lips pressed into a thin line. She didn’t trust herself to speak. She then let out a slow breath. "Let me get out of here."

The maid’s expression faltered, a flicker of apology crossing her face. "I’m sorry, Miss, but I was instructed—"

Delphinia held up a hand, cutting her off with a dry laugh. "No need to explain. I already knew the answer. Just thought I’d try my luck." She sank back into her bed, muttering under her breath, "Of course, it’s my bad luck as usual."

The maid hesitated for a moment, glancing nervously toward the guards before leaving. The door shut behind her with a soft click, followed by the unmistakable sound of the lock turning again.

Delphinia let out a slow, shaky breath. She turned her gaze to the table, eyeing the food without moving from her spot. Her stomach churned at the thought of eating, but she knew she needed her strength.

You can’t afford to get sick, she told herself firmly. Not here. Not now.

Pushing herself to her feet, she crossed the room slowly, her bare feet brushing against the plush carpet. The food’s warmth felt strange in the chilly, heavy air of the room.

She sat down at the table and picked up the fork. Her fingers trembled slightly, but she steadied them with a deep breath. She stabbed a piece of egg and brought it to her mouth, and chewing out of habit more than hunger.

The flavors were there, subtle and well-balanced, but everything tasted dull and distant to her. It was as if her body had shut off her ability to enjoy anything. Each bite felt like a chore, but she forced herself to continue.

With every spoonful, tears pricked the corners of her eyes. She didn’t want to cry, but the emotion bubbled up uncontrollably. Silent tears rolled down her cheeks as she ate, her resolve hardening with each swallow.

You’re stronger than this, she thought, her jaw tightening. You’re not going to let him win. You’ll find a way out. You have to.

Her mind raced with ideas, each one quickly dismissed as impractical or outright impossible. The guards outside the door were a constant reminder of her father’s reach. Running away was a fantasy, at least for now. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

She clenched the fork tightly, the metal cool against her palm. "I won’t stay here," she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible. "I won’t let him keep me here."

All she could hear was the faint scrape of her fork as it hit the dish. She finished the meal slowly, forcing herself to eat even though every bite felt like a mountain to climb. By the time she set the fork down, the tears had stopped, replaced by a simmering determination.

Delphinia pushed the tray away and leaned back in her chair, staring out the window again. The sunlight streaming in seemed almost mocking, highlighting the stark contrast between the freedom outside and her captivity within.

You’ll get out of here, she promised herself, her fists clenching in her lap. No matter what it takes.

The day stretched ahead of her, long and uncertain, but Delphinia refused to let despair take hold. She didn’t know when or how, but she would escape. One way or another, she would find a way.