CHAPTER 9%
The moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the manicured gardens of Ivan’s estate. I stood by the window, my gaze fixed on the distant forest line, a silent prayer escaping my lips. Damon. I had to find him. I had to
A shiver ran down my spine, not from the cool night air, but from the weight of the secret I carried. The secret that had become a weapon, a threat, a shield. My child. My unborn child, a constant reminder of the life I was fighting to protect.
I pressed a hand to my stomach, feeling the faint flutter of a tiny heartbeat. It was a miracle, a beacon of hope in the darkness, but it was also a burden. A burden that Ivan would use against me, a burden that Helena would exploit, a burden that would make me a target
But it was also my strength. My child was my reason for fighting. My child was my reason to survive.
A soft knock on the door startled me. I turned, my heart pounding. It was Helena, her emerald eyes gleaming with a mixture of amusement and malice.
“You’re still awake,” she purred, her voice dripping with false concern. “Shouldn’t you be resting? You have a big day tomorrow.”
I knew exactly what she meant. It was my birthday. Twenty–five years old. A milestone that felt more like a curse.
“Tm not tired,” I said, my voice steady despite the tremor in my chest.
Helena stepped closer, her gaze lingering on my stomach. “You should be careful,” she warned, her voice laced with venom. “You wouldn’t want to lose your little one, would you?”
I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to meet her gaze. “He’s safe,” I said, my voice low and dangerous. “And so am I.”
Helena’s lips curled into a smirk. “We’ll see about that “3
She turned and left, her laughter echoing through the hallway. I watched her go, my fingers tightening into fists. I had to find Damon. I had to get out of this gilded cage. I had to protect my child.
But how?
My mind raced, searching for an escape route, a plan, a glimmer of hope, But every
very path seemed blocked, every avenue closed. Ivan was watching me. He was waiting for me to make a mistake R
And I was running out of time.
I paced the room, my footsteps echoing against the polished floors. The silence was deafening. The only sound was the rhythmic thump of my heart, a frantic drumbeat that mirrored the storm raging inside me.&
I had to do something. I had to act. But what?2
Suddenly, a memory flashed through my mind. A memory of a hidden passage, a secret tunnel that Damon had told me about. A tunnel that led to the forest a tunnel that might be my only escape.
My heart leaped. It was a long shot, a risky gamble. But it was the only chance I had.
I glanced at the door, then back at the window. The moon was still high in the sky. I had time.!!
a gift from my
I took a deep breath, my hands trembling as I reached for the omate silver locket that hung around my neck. It was a mother, a symbol of love and protection. I opened it, revealing a small, folded piece of parchment.
Damon’s message.
I reread the message, the words searing into my mind. Damon was alive. He was waiting for me.
Slipping the locket back around my neck, a surge of determination coursed through me. I had to find him. I had to escape. Most importantly, I had to protect my child.
My gaze flicked to the window, then back to the door. The decision was made.)
Moving quickly, my heart pounded as I approached the ledge. Moonlight stretched across the garden, distorting the landscape with eene shadows. But I knew where to go–the tunnel beneath the gnarled oak tree. I had seen it once before, a fleeting glimpse, but enough to know it was my way out
Drawing a deep breath, then another, I steadied myself.
Stepping onto the cool stone, my fingers gripped the edge tightly. Twenty feet down. A dangerous drop, but hesitation wasn’t an
option.
Damon was waiting. Freedom was waiting.
Exhaling sharply, I leaped X
The world spun. Wind tore against my skin, carrying the scent of damp earth and pine. A harsh impact sent pain jolting through my limbs, but I forced myself to lie still, catching my breath, letting the adrenaline steady me.
I was free. I
Shaking, I pushed to my feet. My legs wobbled beneath me, but I didn’t stop. A glance over my shoulder revealed the looming silhouette of the mansion–a prison, a cage I refused to return to.X
Turning away, I stepped into the forest, the sound of my footsteps swallowed by the soft earth. The towering trees stretched toward the sky, their branches reaching like grasping hands, but fear no longer held me captive.”
With every step forward, hope burned brighter X
The journey ahead was uncertain. The fight wasn’t over
But I was ready I would find Damon. I would protect my
