Page 61 of Queen’s Gambit

I was back in the only game that mattered, the one for Ana, and it was one I planned on winning.

Yulianna

My stomach clenched as I paced my bedroom and stared at the floor. I’d been counting my steps from one side of the room to the other, trying to keep my mind from running off somewhere far away. I hated it here.

Was my family rich? Yes. We had more money than most people ever saw in their lifetime, but I’d trade every penny to live my life free of my father’s oppression. He had confiscated my phone, but when I refused to give him my password, he slapped me across the face. Father could hit me a million times, and I would never willingly hand over my private chats with Eddie.

I hadn’t eaten since that day and despite my mother and Frida both trying to convince me to keep my strength up, I wouldn’t hear of it. With no weapons or guards at my disposal, no ability to leave the country and never return, all I could do was stage a protest, and this was mine.

My father demanded perfection. Perishing in my bedroom because I refused food bothered him enough that he came in and ordered me to eat. But I told him I’d never eat again, or sit through one of his business dinners, or attend his stupid parties unless he listened to Eddie. He refused, so I threw everything I could get my hands on at him until he finally left. I’d expected another punishment, but none came.

With the door locked, I’d been holed up here ever since. My stomach ached, and I’d broken down and drank some water, but the pain inside my heart only strengthened my resolve.

Knock knock.

“Yes,” I called out to the door that separated my room from Frida’s.

“It’s me. I have something for you,” Frida said.

“Is it food?”

“No.”

Walking over to the door, I turned the lock and opened it for Frida. She pulled out a brown paper bag from inside her jacket and handed it over before closing the door behind her and locking it again.

“What is it?”

“Just look,” she said, smiling.

Opening the bag, I looked in, and my heart soared at the sight of the burner phone. I grabbed Frida and held her tight.

“Thank you.”

“It’s already set up. I had my cousin put it in his name, so it can’t be traced back to you. If your father gives yours back, then great, but…at least you have this. I hate that you’re locked up in here like a prisoner.”

Pulling out the simple black phone, I sat down and looked up at Frida.

“I’ve always been a prisoner, just with a longer leash.”

She sat down beside me and placed her hand on my leg.

“You know that I would do anything for you and will stand by any decision you make, but...do you think you should make up with your father? Maybe you can reason with him.”

“There is no reasoning with that man. I’m a pawn, nothing more than a chip for bargaining. He doesn’t love me. He never has.”

Waving my arm around my room, I pointed at all the expensive furniture and clothing to make my point.

“This is all for show. Gifts to placate me, nothing more. Father wants a docile female, grateful for the abundance and pampering. But I’m not, and he hates me for it.”

“I’m so sorry,” Frida said, looking beyond sad. “I wish there was more that I could do.”

“One day, I’m going to leave this place and never return.”

“If you go, then I’ll go with you. Together, we’ll find a way to free us both.”

Frida stood up and started to walk away.

“I’ll give you some privacy,” she said, but I grabbed her hand before she could run off.