LONDON

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Evelyn sat on the floor, still reeling from Mateo’s revelation, when he suddenly reached down and gently grasped the chain around her ankle. His fingers worked deftly to unlock it, the metal clinking softly as he removed it. She looked up at him, a mix of confusion and wariness in her tear-streaked eyes.

Mateo met her gaze with a solemn expression.

“I’m getting you out of here,”

he said quietly, lifting her into his arms with surprising tenderness. Evelyn’s heart pounded as he carried her out of the room, her mind racing with questions and fears.

As they exited the small, dimly lit space, Evelyn’s eyes widened. They emerged into a large, luxurious apartment, its opulence starkly contrasting the confined room she had been kept in. Mateo carried her effortlessly, navigating through the elegantly furnished living area and placing her gently on a plush, cream-colored couch.

Evelyn’s eyes darted around, taking in the high ceilings, the tasteful artwork adorning the wa