Five: On

ear blended with hope. She hadn't heard from Ethan since leaving, but that didn't mean he wasn't looking for her.

and forth, matching the rapid beat of her heart. Her phone buzzed on the seat beside her, and her pulse quickened. Was it Ethan? Sh

wered, keeping h

through, full of concern. "I've been think

I'm about an hour away," she said, her voice

raining pretty hard out here,

She was lucky to have Maria. Her old friend was giving her the

o Ethan. She imagined him pacing around his empty mansion, furious that she had left. He would never expect her to leave

he thought bitterly. I MUST

ready protective of her unborn child, and the thought of raising him or her away from Ethan's crue

olice car in her rearview mirror. Her stomach dropped. What now? She

ith worst-case scenarios. MUST stay calm, she told herself as the office

tipping his hat slightly. "Mind telling

owing where she was going. Ethan might be using all his resources to track her down, and she could

is eyes narrowing slightly. "Is everyth

n't afford to act suspicious. "Oh, it's just the weather,

on her longer than she liked. "Alright. Dr

e replied, trying to sou

shaky breath. That had been too close. If the officer had asked too many questions, if he had looked into her situat

ood? Would he start searching right away? The thought of him hunting her down sent chills through her spine. He wou

ught again, her grip tighte

ign for Maria's small town. Relief washed over her as she turned off the highway onto the narrow cou

style house filled her with a strange sense of peace. It was far from the glit

n a raincoat. As soon as Reina stepped out of the car, Maria

aid, her voice full of relief. "Co

had built up so many walls to protect herself from the pain, but now, in the arms of a true frie

iately felt a little safer. Maria led her into the livi

ria said, sitting down beside her on the co

ong, and yet she couldn't fully believe it. She knew Ethan's reach extended far beyond t

you," Reina said, her voi

u've been through enough. Just focus on get

ime in days, she allowed herself to breathe. Maria's house was quiet, peaceful. But even here, in

to be ready. I MUST pro