The Duke's Masked Wife

Kate thought of making a run for the door now that Simon had let her out of the room, but in the corner of her eye, as they made their way down to the first floor, Kate noticed the servants watching her. As if daring her to try and make a run for it. 'Where did he find so many people to keep what he's doing a secret?' She wondered. They all had enough evidence to get Simon locked up.

Kate obediently followed Simon outside, toward the trees behind his home. She couldn't help but think he had changed his mind and was leading her to her death. There was plenty of space for her to try running away from Simon, but her wedding dress would hinder her from getting far away to find someone to help her.

Kate had no choice but to continue following Simon and act like she enjoyed what he wanted to show her. 'How can someone  be so sick in the head?' She thought, stealing a glance at him. Kate was stuck on the fact that Simon was delusional enough to think they were similar.

"We are almost there," Simon said, seeing the familiar spot where the secret door was. "My father had this built to get away from my mother. He let me come down here with him once. Luckily, when I decided to carry out what they started on me, I already had a good spot to hide the players in my game. Run away and I will slit your throat," Simon said when he released Kate's hand to open the door.

Kate bit her lip, tempted to knock him over the head with her fist now that he bent down in front of her to open something. However, she was reminded of the fact she would not be able to get rid of Alessandra without him.

"Ladies first," Simon stood to let Kate go into the underground room first. He wouldn't mind if he entered first and she tried to run. It would be a good lesson after he caught her, why she shouldn't run from him. There was no escaping the predicament Kate got herself into.

Kate struggled to enter the room with her wedding dress and almost fell to the ground. Simon, on the other hand, easily jumped down because of his experience.

"Bella," Simon called to the lonely woman who might have missed his presence. He lit one of the torches to give some light to the dark room.

Kate heard movement in the room and when there was finally light, she spotted a young woman curled up in a corner. She somewhat did not believe that Simon was taking her to see Bella still alive. It was a shock to Kate to see the young actress here.

Kate inspected Bella's dirty appearance. The young woman looked quite small and her body was dirty as if she didn't bathe regularly.

Bella, on the other hand, was stunned to see another woman standing next to Simon instead of being dragged in while unconscious. From the wedding dress, she remembered Simon telling her about marrying Kate Barrett. Bella never put hope in anyone's hands to save her, but just this once, she hoped Kate seeing her down here was the beginning of her rescue. Bella could not take much longer being trapped in this small room and watching other women losing their lives to Simon's brutality.

Simon was right that they did put on a facade but they did not deserve to die over it.

"This is my bride. I must apologize that you could not attend the wedding, Bella. You are very dear to me after all. That is why I brought Kate to meet you," said Simon.

Kate looked away from Bella, hoping the young woman would not dare ask for help. Kate had to look out for herself. If Bella survived this as she did all this time, the guards would find Bella once Kate told on Simon.

"Isn't she a doll?" Simon asked, pointing to Kate.

"She is. You were right. She is a good choice," Bella answered. She hadn't missed Kate avoiding her gaze but Bella did not mind it. They both had to look out for themselves.

Although Kate was not trapped in this room, it did not mean she was not one of Simon's victims. Bella had witnessed a lot of surprise deaths in those who shared this room with her. No one was completely safe and with the way Simon looked forward to having Kate around, Kate's death might be one of the cruellest Bella had ever seen if Kate let him down.

"Why are the two of you silent? Is there jealousy?" Simon smiled, expecting there to be some amongst the two. "Do you want me to get rid of her, Kate? I'm sure you wouldn't enjoy your husband having another woman so close by and Bella has spent more than needed in this room. I don't want her thinking too highly of herself for staying alive longer than anyone."

"I am not jealous," Kate softly replied. She preferred to have someone else around so Simon's attention would be on them.

"You have no reason to be. I am not an evil man to try sleeping with the women I have here," said Simon.

'As if that makes you a saint,' Bella thought. Still, it was a blessing she had never been taken advantage of during her time here. It might have pushed her to kill herself instead of trying to find a way out. She pitied Kate who had to play the role of Simon's wife and probably share a bed with him.

Bella couldn't help but wonder how Kate got herself caught up with Simon.

"I am thinking of bringing a man down here so Bella can also get married. It wouldn't be fair for her to remain without a husband. How about I let Kate pick who I will let you marry? Who is a man in your life you want to get rid of Kate?" Simon asked.

"There is only the Duke or the man bothering my mother these days," Kate quickly answered.

Bella frowned as Kate answered Simon too quickly. 'Is she a part of his game?' She thought.  Bella started to question the type of person Kate was. Maybe she knew about what he was doing and married him. Kate did not seem shaken up when she spoke. 'She will be of no help to me,' Bella realised. If anything, Kate might one day cost her life.

"Edgar is out of the question. I enjoy him trying to find me and I want to see him searching for his wife when we do get her. I suppose I can bring in the man around your mother. He is far older than Bella," Simon looked down at the said woman. "I will think about it. Unfortunately for you, Kate and I cannot stay down here any longer. As a treat for our wedding, I will leave the torch going. It isn't good for you to be in the dark all the time. Come, Kate," Simon said, going back to the entrance.

Kate gave a last glance at Bella who strangely did not ask for help when Simon's back was turned. She left without saying anything to the young actress.