Source...
Nothing about the secure room and attentive care served to comfort Daniela. The stark, white walls staring back reminded her of their fake marriage. Devoid of color and love. At least one half. But why guards posted outside her hospital room. Staff wouldn't answer any questions. Finally, she requested a visit. Olivia may shed light on her confinement.
Bandaged herself with one arm in a sling, Olivia knocked gently on her door.
"I was under the impression that you and Lyle." Her voice trailed off, not wanting Olivia to read more into her query.
"It was my intervention why the police backed off and didn't pursue your interrogation. Elevated to federal crimes. Authorities can't find the evidence of his world-wide trafficking. The business Lyle's in is dangerous to anyone close to him. He's a particular kind of devious dangerous individual."
A nursing staff interrupted them. Immediately upon her leave, Olivia continued resembling a mild taunting.
"You're lucky. For some odd reason he liked you. It wasn't the norm for him to actually take a chance and marry someone. Apparently you made an impression." She gave Daniela the once over. "I can see the physical attraction. But he said you had no brains."
Daniela didn't know whether to be offended or grateful. "Did you come to our home? What an appearance!. Scared me to death."
"Checking if you were still alive. You have no idea how much danger you were in," she stated matter-of-factly looking directly in Daniela's eye as though attempting to instill upon her the dire situation.
"In his confession before you arrived. He advised me to get to know someone before going further in a relationship."
Olivia chuckled, then held her bruised rib. "That's rich!"
Daniela winced in pain and shifted position. Time for answers. "What are you? some sort of undercover agent? And why the guards at my door?"
"You could say. That's all I'm allowed to divulge. Nice work on your part, though. If it's any consolation for what you've endured. At least you're better off than some of his past acquaintances. More than a few individuals are interested in your knowledge. That's why you need my protection."
Thousands of questions prowled through her mind chasing Olivia's last sentence.
She shrieked, "but Lyle's dead. The danger is over, isn't it? His secret in the attic I know nothing of. He admitted to moving the real evidence. Only left are three coded ledgers I discovered in a cutout cupboard the detectives missed."
Without a word, Olivia turned her back and shrugged as though considering available options, then turned again to face Daniela. The expression on her face sent cold, spider-like fingers racing down Daniela's spine. Olivia shook her head slowly and emitted a low laugh together with several inaudible words suggesting Lyle was correct, then spoke out loud.
"Lyle is of minor concern. The individual he's supplying traffic to known only as The Boss doesn't tolerate loose ends." She stared Daniela in the eye for several long moments. "And from where I'm standing, you're a loose thread dangling in the wind for anyone to pull in their direction."
Daniela jerked back while Olivia disappeared through angry tears that strolled down her face as she clutched the bedsheet. For the first time, she cursed Lyle. Scouring the room, her gaze stopped at the door. She lowered her voice to a whisper and hissed, I"d better get out of here then." Grabbing Olivia's uninjured arm, she cried, "What did I do to deserve this?"
For a long moment, Olivia kept silent. "You already know. The question should be 'how the hell can I avoid dying because of it? I'll be back later to check on you. We're both scheduled for release tomorrow morning. Daniela followed Olivia steps as she eased out the door, stopping to speak with a security officer. Talking low, she couldn't decipher their conversation.
She didn't have time to formulate a plan of escape. The painkillers kicked in. She fell back on her pillow and dozed off. A few hours later, a masculine hand quickly covered her mouth. The other one maneuvered itself under her back and lifted her body upright in the bed.
"If you value your life, keep quiet," Daniela heard as she struggled to wake. Though dimness pervaded the room, she managed to shove the hand away and gasp as a male outline came into view. His stubble face grazed her check.
Jerking a sharp breath, she struggled to free herself. "No, it can't be. Get away from me. You're dead. Lyle, you're dead."
Now Part 11: The Beginning of the End
"Quiet. It's me. I'm far from dead," Lyle wanted to shout, but dared not.
"But how?" Daniela's voice trailed off when he interrupted, placing a finger to her lips.
Although dark, she could smell and feel him as he pressed his body to hers. "I love you, Daniela. No matter what. Never forget that."
All her instincts told her to scream. But she didn't. Instead, trembling, she nodded in silence as she thought she heard him murmur, "you're my ticket out of here."
What an appearance! But she didn't question as he handed her some clothes and slipped on her shoes.
There should have been a guard at her door. Instead, the empty hallway invited them to move quickly.
Within minutes, the quiet turned to chaos. He jerked Daniela's hand and led her through an empty hall, then around another corner. Daniela nor Lyle didn't stop to think how easy their escape seemed. They just kept running. And where were hospital staff?
Lyle didn't care, he had to distance himself from Olivia. What she offered wouldn't protect him from The Boss, no matter where he relocated. The instant he opened the back door and pulled her outside, weapons pointed in their direction.
Trembling, Daniela broke free from Lyle's grip the moment she spotted Olivia. She couldn't run fast enough as she fell into her arms, once again.
She didn't dare look back, so she didn't see Lyle this time surrounded by officers.
Olivia led her a few steps away from the scene.
"I took a chance he'd come for you. I allowed the guards to let him in. You don't know how important you are to his survival."
Breathless from the ordeal and confused, Daniela searched Olivia's eyes.
"No, Lyle wasn't dead. But I needed The Boss to think so. His henchman led us straight to the warehouse that day after the confrontation on your front lawn. Lyle had already betrayed the man and was scheduled to testify about his operations. But I suspected he'd renege because of his own worldwide involvement, so placed him near you. I had to keep you in the dark to see how this would play out."
"So you put me in danger instead. I'm just not understanding all this."
Daniela swooned before falling from Olivia's grasp. Not from the commotion, but from missing two menstrual cycles.
Daniela woke and stared again at the stark, blank walls. Same hospital, different room. She turned to see Olivia sitting next to her bed.
"How do you feel? The doctor informed me you were pregnant. Did you know?" She didn't give Daniela time to answer. "In any event, you'll need time to process this and your life going forward given Lyle won't be available for you. In the meantime, we need those ledgers you discovered in the cup board."
"No. I didn't know. These past few months were stressful." Daniela didn't want to talk about Lyle, but was forced to. Pregnant? That wasn't in her plans. It felt like months had passed since they were intimate.
Olivia noticed her distress, so steered the conversation to business, cleared her throat, then proceeded to tell her Lyle's true identify, background.
She began with certainty and expertise.
"Lyle Reddingham was born Arturo Rossi in Apulia, Italy. At a young age, in the poverty stricken area, he was abandoned and left to his own devices. He fell into the hands of traffickers. Out of sheer will, I suppose and luck, he survived. Supposed alias are numerous. He's smart, cunning, and intelligent, especially given the fact that his operation evolved internationally from several ports. The invisible network he built in just twenty years is impressive. We've been trying for years to follow the money trail, but can't find the evidence. From his personal profile, and in my opinion, he's plagued with unresolved demons."
Olivia paused after the last statement to gauge her reaction.
Daniela remained quiet, half-listening while mulling over Lyle's introduction at the bar. Temporarily putting aside her shame, her voice crackled.
"He interrupted my being drugged by the man sitting next to me. Perhaps he recognized the attempt to traffic me. He said that he saw the vulnerability in my eyes and mannerisms. Perhaps he intervened where there was no one to do the same in his childhood. Save me from the fate he then dealt others. That last part I don't understand. Evidently, he now has no heart to cause other innocents to suffer the same fate?"
Olivia tried to avoid following Daniela's gaze. She can't overlook that, she thought. The reality of her predicament could no longer be avoided.
Cutting her off, Olivia pinpointed and reinforced precisely Daniela's current dilemma.
"Save you from one creep only to entangle you in a serious, life-threatening situation of his own creepy making."
Daniela could only turn her head toward the window. Perched on the sill was a black bird. Or was it a crow?
While Daniela reflected on her marriage and Olivia attempted to explain further his motives, across town, Lyle sat quietly in the corner of a holding cell contemplating the secret in the attic.
[to be continued]
For my theme, I was inspired by and utilized the 
14 March 2026, Freewriters Community Daily Writing Prompt Day 3042: can’t find the evidence
5 January 2026, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2973: has no heart;
4 January 2026, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2972: reinforced;
3 January 2026, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2971: can’t overlook that;
1 January 2026, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2969: what an appearance!;
22 December 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2959: the last date; and
21 December 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2958: the secret in the attic
Source...
Por el bien del matrimonio (Parte 11: El principio del fin)Por el bien del matrimonio (Parte 11: El principio del fin)
«Calla. Soy yo. No estoy ni mucho menos muerto», quiso gritar Lyle, pero no se atrevió.
«¿Pero cómo?» La voz de Daniela se apagó cuando él la interrumpió, llevándose un dedo a los labios.
Aunque estaba a oscuras, ella podía olerlo y sentirlo mientras él apretaba su cuerpo contra el de ella. «Te quiero, Daniela. Pase lo que pase. No lo olvides nunca».
Todos sus instintos le decían que gritara. Pero no lo hizo. En cambio, temblando, asintió en silencio mientras creía oírle murmurar: «Eres mi billete para salir de aquí».
¡Menuda aparición! Pero no preguntó nada cuando él le entregó algo de ropa y le calzó los zapatos.
Debería haber habido un guardia en su puerta. En cambio, el pasillo vacío les invitaba a moverse rápidamente.
En cuestión de minutos, la tranquilidad se convirtió en caos. Él tiró de la mano de Daniela y la condujo a través de un pasillo vacío, y luego dobló otra esquina. Ni Daniela ni Lyle se detuvieron a pensar en lo fácil que parecía su huida. Simplemente siguieron corriendo. ¿Y dónde estaba el personal del hospital?
A Lyle no le importaba, tenía que alejarse de Olivia. Lo que ella le ofrecía no lo protegería del Jefe, sin importar a dónde se trasladara. En el instante en que abrió la puerta trasera y la sacó al exterior, las armas apuntaron en su dirección.
Temblando, Daniela se soltó del agarre de Lyle en cuanto vio a Olivia. No pudo correr lo suficientemente rápido y cayó en sus brazos, una vez más.
No se atrevió a mirar atrás, así que esta vez no vio a Lyle rodeado de agentes.
Olivia la llevó unos pasos más allá de la escena.
«Me arriesgué pensando que vendría a por ti. Hice que los guardias le dejaran entrar. No sabes lo importante que eres para su supervivencia».
Sin aliento tras la terrible experiencia y confundida, Daniela buscó los ojos de Olivia.
«No, Lyle no estaba muerto. Pero necesitaba que El Jefe lo creyera así. Su secuaz nos llevó directamente al almacén aquel día, tras el enfrentamiento en el jardín de tu casa. Lyle ya había traicionado al hombre y tenía previsto testificar sobre sus operaciones. Pero sospechaba que se echaría atrás debido a su propia implicación a nivel mundial, así que lo situé cerca de ti. Tenía que mantenerte al margen para ver cómo se desarrollaba todo esto».
«Así que, en cambio, me pusiste en peligro. Es que no entiendo nada de esto».
Daniela se desmayó antes de caer de los brazos de Olivia. No por la conmoción, sino por haberse saltado dos ciclos menstruales.
Daniela se despertó y volvió a mirar las paredes desnudas y vacías. El mismo hospital, otra habitación. Se giró y vio a Olivia sentada junto a su cama.
«¿Cómo te encuentras? El médico me ha dicho que estás embarazada. ¿Lo sabías?». No le dio tiempo a Daniela a responder. «En cualquier caso, necesitarás tiempo para asimilar esto y pensar en cómo seguirá tu vida, dado que Lyle ya no estará ahí para ti. Mientras tanto, necesitamos esos libros de contabilidad que encontraste en el armario».
«¿Cómo te sientes? El médico me ha dicho que estás embarazada. ¿Lo sabías?». No le dio tiempo a Daniela a responder. «En cualquier caso, necesitarás tiempo para asimilar esto y pensar en tu futuro, ya que Lyle no estará ahí para ti. Mientras tanto, necesitamos esos libros de contabilidad que encontraste en el armario».
«No. No lo sabía. Estos últimos meses han sido muy estresantes». Daniela no quería hablar de Lyle, pero se vio obligada a hacerlo. ¿Embarazada? Eso no entraba en sus planes. Le parecía que habían pasado meses desde que tuvieron relaciones íntimas.
Olivia se dio cuenta de su angustia, así que desvió la conversación hacia los asuntos de trabajo, carraspeó y procedió a contarle la verdadera identidad y los antecedentes de Lyle.
Comenzó con seguridad y pericia.
«Lyle Reddingham nació como Arturo Rossi en Apulia, Italia. A una edad temprana, en una zona azotada por la pobreza, fue abandonado y dejado a su suerte. Cayó en manos de traficantes. Supongo que, gracias a su fuerza de voluntad y a la suerte, sobrevivió. Se cree que tiene numerosos alias. Es astuto, sagaz e inteligente, sobre todo teniendo en cuenta que su operación se ha expandido a nivel internacional desde varios puertos. La red invisible que construyó en solo veinte años es impresionante. Llevamos años intentando seguir el rastro del dinero, pero no encontramos pruebas. Por su perfil personal, y en mi opinión, está atormentado por demonios sin resolver».
Daniela permaneció en silencio, escuchando a medias mientras reflexionaba sobre la presentación que Lyle le había hecho en el bar. Dejando a un lado momentáneamente su vergüenza, su voz se quebró.
«Él impidió que el hombre sentado a mi lado me drogara. Quizá se dio cuenta de que intentaban traficar conmigo. Dijo que vio la vulnerabilidad en mis ojos y en mis gestos. Quizá intervino donde nadie lo hizo por él en su infancia. Me salvó del destino que luego infligió a otros. Esa última parte no la entiendo. Evidentemente, ¿ahora no tiene corazón para hacer que otros inocentes sufran el mismo destino?»
Olivia intentó evitar seguir la mirada de Daniela. No puede pasar eso por alto, pensó. Ya no se podía eludir la realidad de su difícil situación.
Interrumpiéndola, Olivia señaló y reforzó con precisión el dilema actual de Daniela.
«Salvarte de un tipo repulsivo solo para enredarte en una situación grave y potencialmente mortal creada por él mismo».
Daniela solo pudo girar la cabeza hacia la ventana. En el alféizar había un pájaro negro. ¿O era un cuervo?
Mientras Daniela reflexionaba sobre su matrimonio y Olivia intentaba explicar con más detalle sus motivos, al otro lado de la ciudad, Lyle estaba sentado en silencio en un rincón de una celda de detención, contemplando el secreto del ático.
[continuará]
Para mi tema, me inspiré y utilicé la publicación de
5 January 2026, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2973: has no heart;
4 January 2026, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2972: reinforced;
3 January 2026, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2971: can’t overlook that;
1 January 2026, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2969: what an appearance!;
22 December 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2959: the last date; y
21 December 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2958: the secret in the attic
SOURCES:
a) JustClickindiva's Footer created in Canva utilizing its free background and images used with permission from discord admins.
b) Unless otherwise noted, all photos taken by me with my (i) Samsung Galaxy 10" Tablet, (ii) Samsung Phone, & (iii) FUJI FinePix S3380 - 14 Mega Pixels Digital Camera
c) Purple Butterfly part of purchased set of Spiritual Clip Art for my Personal Use
d) All Community logos, banners, page dividers used with permission of Discord Channel admins.
e) Ladies of Hive banner used with permission of and in accordance with the admin's guidelines
f) Thumbnail Image created by me in Canva.
g) "Flames." What is Apophysis 2.09. https://flam3.com/
If translation included, I use DeepL to assist my readers.
Thanks for your patience an understanding.
Si se incluye traducción, utilizo DeepL para ayudar a mis lectores.
Gracias por su paciencia y comprensión.