gainst her chest, each beat loud enough to drown out the world around her. Her breath came in shallow gasps, but she didn't dare slow down. She could

tling in her gut. What was she doing? She was about to cross a line she could never uncross. But the thought of staying in that house, of living in Aaron's cold, controlling gri

hrough. The night air felt like a lifeline, wrap

those eyes-were full of something she hadn't expected. Relief, yes, but

d, his voice tight, as though he had to steady hi

hest tightening. "I couldn't tell you.

en the determination that followed. Without another

be afraid anymore

ing-the years of loneliness, the yearning, the ache of wanting something she couldn't have-it al

oice breaking under the strain. "I don't know i

dy, but there was a thread of urgency in it. "We'll figure i

was stark and unforgiving. She wasn't free-not yet. Not while Aaron still had a hold on he

awed at her, but she couldn't ignore the flicker of hope in her heart. "We need to l

harp. "Not if we keep this between us. We need to be

they outrun Aaron? Could they escape the web of control he'd wo

, the unmistakable sound of a car en

ed back into the shadows, pu

shot out, grabbing hers. His voic

vel, but before they could reach the back exit, headlights f

ispered, her voic

frantic. They sprinted toward the rear gate, but before they could reach it, Aaron's car screech

e knew it wa

The voice was low and danger

ro

fr

her, cold and calculating, like he was already deciding her fate. The expensive suit, the perfectly

ve, did you?" Aaron's voice sliced t

tense, fists clenched at his sides. "Let

." The word dripped with disdain. "Always in my way. But now?" He stepp

shot back, his voice firm, unwavering. "I care

le, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Yo

er, but it was different now. She wasn't the same woman who ha

her voice trembling but resolute. "

s breath. Aaron's gaze flicked over her, his eyes narrowing. He didn't e

, his voice dark. "You can't out

lked away, the sound of his foo

ng slightly. "We need to go," he said u

eight of everything was crashing down on her-the risk

whispered, her voi

and for a long moment, h

he truth sinking in, heavy and suffoca

thick and suffocating. This wasn't just about running anymore. It wasn't just about le

hear the strain beneath it. "We need t

the ties that bound her to a man like him? Could they even protect the child growing inside her? T

arried over the wind. Cold. Determin

had only j