Chapter 3

3

I was determined to escape, especially after hearing about Silas Halloway.

If I ended up in his room, even a fly wouldn’t walk out alive.

The brothel was massive. The Madam assigned a young maid to dress me, whispering that Halloway liked women with a certain look―modest, not painted like a doll.

I stayed perfectly still. I knew if I threw a tantrum, I’d be beaten or starved.

In the Madam’s eyes, I was a broken bird, too scared to run. She left to entertain guests, leaving me under the guard of a thug.

She was right about me being scared, but wrong about me being broken.

I sat there, letting the maid paint my face. It wasn’t until she finished my hair that I truly woke up.

Looking in the mirror, I remembered I was only eighteen. My life was barely beginning.

The peach blossom on my forehead looked like a drop of fresh blood.

Outside the window, a drunkard walked by. Our eyes met, and he froze, staring at me as if he’d seen a ghost.

A few minutes later, the door burst open. A man stumbled in, smelling of booze and silk, pushed the maid aside, and stared at me.

“Are you... Rose? Rose? You’re Rose!”

I frowned. Who was Rose? This man had clearly mistaken me for someone else.

My mind raced. Was this a chance? If this man was rich, maybe he could get me out of here.

I looked in the mirror. With the makeup, I didn't look like myself at all.

I cleared my throat and spoke softly. “I am... I am Rose.”

“You really are Rose!” He pulled me into his arms. “I’ve missed you so much! I haven’t slept a wink since you left...”

He squeezed me tighter, blubbering like a madman. I pushed him away. “I’ve forgotten who you are. Tell me?”

“Rose, you don’t remember me? I’m Arthur! Arthur Penhaligon! We grew up together!”

“Have you forgotten our peach tree?”

My heart hammered. I had my way out. “Arthur, I’m a bit fuzzy. Can you take me to see that tree?”

“Of course! Let’s go!”

I thought I’d made it, but I’d underestimated the Madam.

As soon as we stepped out, the thug blocked our path. I hid behind Arthur.

The Madam smiled smoothly. “Mr. Penhaligon, what are you doing? We can deliver a girl to you, no need to come yourself.”

Arthur waved a hand. “No, I want Rose.”

Madam: “Sir, look closely. This isn’t Rose.”

Arthur looked at me, and my heart nearly stopped.

“Impossible! This is my Rose! I couldn’t be mistaken!”

A crowd started to gather. I was terrified. If this became a spectacle, the Madam would never let me go.

Madam: “Sir, Rose died three years ago. This is a new girl. She’s not trained yet.”

Before she could finish, Arthur yelled, “No one is keeping us apart!” He grabbed my hand and sprinted toward the crowd.

Chaos erupted. The Madam signaled for the staff to grab us.

“You old hag! My father will tear this place to the ground!”

“Who’s making all this noise?” A group of young men walked over. “Oh, it’s Arthur! Stealing girls again? Haven’t you learned from the last time your father beat you?”

I stayed quiet, making myself invisible.

I tried to shrink away, but a man in a crimson silk robe pulled a girl away and grabbed my wrist. His dark eyes were fixed on me, filled with shock.

My heart skipped a beat. I turned to Arthur, crying out, “Help me, Arthur, he’s hurting me!”

Arthur, furious, roared: “Elias Blackwood! Let go of her! Don’t you dare touch Rose!”