Chapter 176

Escaping on her own now? Yeah, that was seriously pushing it. Stella had been keeping an eye out—she'd timed the guards passing by the window. Every twenty minutes, like clockwork. It had only been seven since the last round. She got up, but the sharp pain in her belly made her clench her teeth. The painkillers the nurse left were still sitting untouched on the bedside table. She needed to feel every bit of the pain—it kept her sharp. From under the pillow, she pulled out the old-school phone she'd asked for. Battery was down to the last ten percent. Last time she tried to call this person, Charles had cut her off. But she was betting everything on this one try. She punched in the number she'd memorized ages ago. "Talk," came the familiar voice. Only then did Stella let out a small breath and quickly explained her situation, keeping it short and to the point—just come get her, now. The person didn't ask anything else, just said okay. He'd come. She was sure of that. Whether they'd pull