Later that day, Nicklaus and Cindy arrived at the unfinished building where they had taken Mrs. Anna.
The place was quiet and deserted.
Inside, Mrs. Anna had regained consciousness.
She was tied to a chair, her head still aching from what had happened the night before. She looked around desperately, trying to understand where she was.
Footsteps approached.
Nicklaus and Cindy appeared.
Mrs. Anna immediately recognized them.
"Nicklaus…"
Nicklaus walked toward her and crouched in front of her.
He grabbed her face, forcing her to look at him.
"Tell me the truth."
Mrs. Anna frowned.
"What truth?"
"Is Elian really a Haynes?"
Her heart stopped for a moment.
Nicklaus studied her expression.
"Is he our parents' missing son?"
Mrs. Anna looked away.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Nicklaus's expression twisted with anger.
"Stop lying!"
He slapped her.
Cindy stood nearby, watching silently.
Nicklaus glared at Anna.
"Do you know what Elian did to me this morning?"
Mrs. Anna slowly looked back at him.
"You deserved it."
Nicklaus's eyes widened.
"What?"
"You should be grateful he didn't do worse."
Her voice was weak, but her determination was unmistakable.
"You think you can get away with this? Elian will find me."
Nicklaus laughed bitterly.
"You're still thinking about Elian?"
Mrs. Anna stared directly at him.
"He will find you."
She took a breath.
"And when he does, you'll pay for everything you've done."
Nicklaus stood up, laughing.
"You should be worried about yourself."
He stepped closer.
"Because you're the one who's trapped here."
His expression became cold.
"And I'm going to make sure you never leave this place."
Cindy laughed softly beside him.
Mrs. Anna looked at her.
For the first time, her expression changed from fear to disgust.
"I should have known."
Cindy raised an eyebrow.
"Known what?"
"That you were a devil."
Cindy's smile faded slightly.
Mrs. Anna continued staring at her.
"I saw the hatred in your eyes long ago. I should have known what you were capable of."
Cindy crossed her arms.
"You can call me whatever you want."
Mrs. Anna shook her head.
"No."
Her voice trembled, but she didn't look away.
"You're worse than that."
Nicklaus exchanged a glance with Cindy.
Then he turned back toward Anna.
"Keep talking."
Mrs. Anna remained silent.
Deep inside, however, she held onto one certainty.
Elian would come for her.
And she prayed he would find her before it was too late.