Chapter 5 - The Art of Deception
Armed with the truth, I had to transform myself into the perfect, oblivious victim.
My hearing was rapidly returning now that I had stopped drinking Cassandra's poisoned tea.
The buzzing was completely gone, replaced by the crystal-clear sounds of the ocean and the house.
But when Cassandra was in the room, I forced my eyes to glaze over and my responses to delay.
I started downloading custom hearing aid software onto my phone, wearing subtle earpieces that looked like medical devices.
Cassandra would stand right behind me in the kitchen and murmur cruel, mocking things just to test me.
"You really are pathetic, you know that?" she whispered one evening while slicing vegetables.
I kept chopping my own food, completely ignoring her words, though my blood was boiling in my veins.
"Soon, you won't even be able to remember your own name," she cooed, gently kissing the back of my neck.
I turned around and smiled blankly at her, pointing to my ear and shaking my head as if apologizing.
"I love you too, darling," I said aloud, watching her hide a smirk.
Later that night, I snuck down to the staff quarters to visit Elena and Leo.
I brought a large envelope stuffed with fifty thousand dollars in cash and a set of plane tickets.
I signed to Elena, You need to take Leo and leave the city until I say it is safe.
I have rented a secure apartment for you in Seattle under a fake name.
Elena wept with gratitude, clutching the money to her chest as she hugged her son.
I knelt down in front of the little boy who had saved my life.
Thank you for being brave, I signed to Leo, giving him a gentle high-five.
He smiled brightly, signing back, Beat the bad lady.
May you like
I promised him I would, and watched them slip out the back gate into a waiting black car.
Now that the innocent were out of the crossfire, I could finally set my trap.
