Joycelyn’s heart raced as she stood there in the hotel room, her hands still trembling from the force of the blow she’d just dealt to Tommy. The adrenaline was rushing through her veins, but the fear still lingered. She had no idea what would happen next, but one thing was certain—she wasn’t going to let Octavia or Tommy get away with their manipulative schemes.
Her thoughts flickered briefly to Ellison. She hadn’t heard from him, but she knew he was probably on his way. She could only hope that he would get there soon, that he would arrive in time to help her. But right now, she had to focus on surviving and escaping the mess she was in.
The phone call to Octavia was part of her strategy. She had to make Octavia believe she was vulnerable, to give her the impression that she was still in danger. It was all part of her plan to buy time and wait for her moment to strike back. Joycelyn felt the weight of the hairdryer in her hand and made a vow to herself: she wouldn’t be anyone’s victim.
When Octavia’s voice came through the phone, confused yet eager to help, Joycelyn put on her best performance. She wanted Octavia to think she had won, that her scheme had worked, and that she was coming to the rescue.
“I just knocked Mr. Cross out. Can you come and take me away from here?” she said, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and hidden resolve. She even added some sobs to her tone, as if she were truly broken, but inside, she was anything but.
“Don’t go anywhere, I’ll be right there,” Octavia replied quickly, no hesitation in her voice.
The moment the call ended, Joycelyn steadied herself. She wasn’t going to play the helpless victim forever. Octavia had underestimated her, and it would cost her. Joycelyn wasn’t going to let herself be used by anyone again—not Octavia, not Tommy, and certainly not anyone else who thought they could manipulate her.
Joycelyn turned her attention to the knocked-out Tommy, who was still lying on the floor in a heap. His heavy body made him an easy target, and she had no doubt that he wouldn’t be getting up anytime soon.
She waited, keeping an eye on the door, knowing Octavia would arrive soon enough. The room felt suffocating, the silence pressing in on her as she tried to hold onto her composure. She wasn’t sure what would happen next, but she was prepared to fight back with everything she had.
When the doorbell rang a short while later, she knew it was time to take her next step. Octavia was walking right into her trap. Joycelyn’s pulse quickened, but she didn’t let the anxiety show. She was ready.
The time for playing the game was over. It was time for revenge.
