The door creaked loudly as Annabelle opened it to see who was knocking. It was a cheap hotel on the mainland, so the old, creaky door was understandable.
Standing outside was a man dressed entirely in black, wearing a black mask as well.
"Lincoln?" Annabelle asked.
He pushed the door open and walked in. Annabelle rolled her eyes and shut the door.
"Let's go," Linc said.
"Let's go where?" 
"To the airport. I'm leaving the country today, and you're coming with me. I have more than enough money for the life I want for us," Linc said.
"The life you want for us?" Annabelle repeated and scoffed.
"That's the problem I have with you. It's always about you and never about me. Even during sex, it was only about your pleasure.
And now, you just want me to follow you to some random country, not because you care about my well-being, but because you want a sex partner that you can control and treat like dirt," Annabelle said, fighting back her tears.
"Enough of the stupid talk! All you are saying is nonsense. I care about you and that's why I came to you even after you pissed me off the last time we saw each other," he said.
"I pissed you off? I can't believe I had feelings for you! I hate myself for even liking you! Do you remember the vile things you said to me the last time we saw each other?
And no, I will not keep quiet. You only love yourself. You are a selfish, greedy, and violent man. You don't care about me or anyone else. 
You only care about your money and your escape. Thanks to you, I'll have to spend months and years in therapy. Thank you, Linc!" she fired at him.
"How dare you say that to me?" He clenched his fists and bit his tongue. He stared at her with rage. 
"How can you say that to me, huh?!"
Annabelle shook her head and backed away from him. 
"You've done nothing for me but ruin my life. I wish I never met you. In fact, I wish you were dead."
Linc's eyes widened with anger.
"I'll make you pay for uttering those words to me. Trust me, I will," he said, slowly approaching her. Annabelle, sensing danger, took steps backward until she reached the wall close to the door.
She tried to reach for the door to open it but it was too late; Linc grabbed her neck and pinned her to the wall.
"Let me go!" she struggled to say as she gritted her teeth.
He moved his hand to her neckline, touching the necklace on her neck.
"I don't want it anymore. Take it off," she said.
"As you wish," he smirked and swiftly dragged the necklace from her neck, resulting in a cry of pain from Annabelle as the necklace didn't come off because it was hooked at the back.
"Are you dumb? Don't you know it's hooked at the back? Do you want to kill me?" Annabelle fired at Linc.
He ignored her comment and took off the necklace from her neck and let her go.
He stared at the necklace intently and then looked back at Annabelle, his gaze piercing deep into hers.
"I don't know what came over me when I put something as precious as this in your care," Linc said.
"I didn't even realize how important that necklace was and now that I know, I'm sorry, Linc," she smiled at him and before Linc could process her sudden change in demeanor, the door was kicked open by two hefty men, pointing guns at Annabelle and Linc. 
They entered and a few other armed men followed behind them.
"What the ...!" Linc exclaimed.
"Hands in the air! We are from the police force and you have to follow us to the station right now for questioning. Please cooperate with us," an officer said with an air of authority.
"Dang it," Linc muttered under his breath and abruptly, he put the necklace in his mouth and swallowed it.
Annabelle was taken aback and so were the police officers.
"What the hell was that? Do you want to kill yourself?" Annabelle shouted at him.
He ignored her and made his way to the door, his hands in his pockets. 
"Let's go," he said to the officers.
As he passed Annabelle, their eyes locked for a second and she could see the anger burning in his eyes. 
She knew the look in his eyes meant he would deal with her when he was done at the police station and she swallowed hard.
As the police left with Linc, she collapsed onto the floor and heaved a sigh of relief.
Then, she placed a call to Adrienne, but unfortunately, it didn't connect. Adrienne didn't answer the phone.
"We planned this together and now she isn't answering," Annabelle scoffed and tossed her phone aside.
***
The next morning, as soon as Adrienne woke up, she tried reaching Richard again, but to no avail.
She was so confused and lost. It was like she was seeing a completely different side of Richard.
Her phone rang and she swiftly answered it without looking at the caller ID.
"Richard?" Adrienne called eagerly.
"The name is Linc," a stern voice came from the other side of the phone and Adrienne felt a knot form in her belly.
"What is it, Linc? Are you out of the police station already?" she taunted him.
"Did you really think that stupid footage would prove anything? You think I didn't see the cameras?" Linc mocked her.
"I know. I was just rehearsing. You know, getting ready for the big show; when I finally get to lock you behind bars for a lifetime," Adrienne retorted.
"You pushed Annabelle into this, right? You forced her to lure me, right?" Linc accused.
"Who is Annabelle?" Adrienne feigned.
"Quit the acting. Annabelle confessed to luring me to the police because she was mad at me, and you took advantage of that," Linc said.
"And what if I did? I wanted you to get a taste of betrayal," Adrienne said.
Linc laughed.
"So Annabelle really worked with you, huh? Thanks for confirming," Linc said and hung up.
Adrienne bit her lower lip. Linc had just manipulated her into telling him that Annabelle worked with her.
She had to see Annabelle before something happened to her.
***
Adrienne got to the suite where Annabelle was staying and she found Annabelle sleeping.
"Why are you still sleeping at this time of the day?" Adrienne shook Annabelle awake.
"Come on..." Annabelle grumbled as she rolled lazily on the bed.
"Wake up and go freshen up," Adrienne said.
"Who are you to tell me what to do?" Annabelle retorted.
"Oh yeah? Well, Linc called me this morning. He found out that you worked with me," Adrienne said.
Annabelle sat up in shock. Now Adrienne had her full attention.
"Is he out already? It hasn't even been twenty-four hours," Annabelle said.
"Don't know, don't care," Adrienne said.
"Thanks for helping me," Adrienne said, a bit awkwardly.
"Does this mean we are friends?" Annabelle replied.
"Ew. Of course not," Adrienne said and Annabelle rolled her eyes.
"Go take a shower. You are leaving the country today," Adrienne said.
Annabelle's eyes widened.
"Why should I leave the country?" Annabelle shot back.
"You are the same person I just told that Linc called me this morning. You think he is going to let you be?" Adrienne asked.
"Why should I be the one running away? I am a victim here. And why should you arrange for me to leave the country without my permission, without speaking to me first? 
 Who do you think you are to make such a decision for me?" Annabelle yelled.
Adrienne was taken aback by Annabelle's outburst and she realized Annabelle was right. 
She shouldn't have just made preparations without consulting Annabelle first.
"Calm down. I'm sorry. I thought that was best for you. You helped me and I felt I owed it to you. I have to be responsible for your safety now since I put you at risk," Adrienne apologized and Annabelle began to soften up.
"Do you want to keep hiding in here? Isn't it better to start afresh in a new country? If you don't want to relocate fully to a new environment, then just stay abroad for a month.
 The results from the forensics examining my car will soon be out and Linc will be in prison for at least a year. Once he has been sentenced, you can return and continue with your life.
 And I'll use that time to work on my abduction and rape case. It's for your own good, Annabelle," Adrienne tried convincing her.
Annabelle heaved a sigh and thought for a moment and reluctantly, she agreed.
Soon, she freshened up and gathered her things while Adrienne waited.
Adrienne took her to the rooftop and they both waited for the arrival of the helicopter.
"How was your talk with Ryan?" Annabelle broke the silence.
"I didn't ask him about Rosa," Adrienne lied.
"We had dinner and he tried to talk me into getting back together with him, but I ended things with him for good. 
 I also blocked his number last night. I don't want to have anything to do with him anymore, not even a friendship," Adrienne said.
"Whatever," Annabelle said and there was silence again.
"I think I'm going to get therapy," Annabelle mentioned.
"Therapy? Why?" Adrienne asked.
"Someone said I need therapy because it's not normal for me to enjoy sex that comes with torture," Annabelle opened up.
"Torture? What do you mean by that?" Adrienne didn't understand.
Annabelle sighed and explained everything about her intimacy with Linc. Adrienne's eyes widened.
"I'm so sorry about that. If you weren't like that with your exes, then I guess there really is a problem," Adrienne sympathized with Annabelle.
The sound of a helicopter hovering above them interrupted their talk and they watched as the helicopter landed.
"Take care of yourself. And yeah, get therapy if you want. The helicopter will take you to the jet and you have just three hours to pick a destination or country of your choice. You'll be given a card over there; all bills on me," Adrienne said and smiled at Annabelle.
Annabelle was so grateful. She bowed slightly and approached the helicopter, but she paused midway.
"We could have been great friends, you know," Annabelle shouted from a distance and Adrienne scoffed lightheartedly.
The helicopter departed with Annabelle and Adrienne headed back downstairs. In the elevator, she received a text from Annabelle that read:
"Thanks for everything. I left a gift in the suite for you. Trust me, you are going to love it."