The first message had been a flicker of light in Serene's growing darkness.
But as days passed and no more came, the silence wrapped itself around her throat, choking whatever hope she had dared to nurture. Serene walked the halls of the Ashborne estate with practiced calm, though every step was weighted, every glance over her shoulder sharpened with dread.
Roman didn't act differently. That was the problem.
He still touched her with reverence, his hand often lingering too long on her growing belly, a possessive glint flashing in his eyes whenever anyone else tried to come too close. He still looked at her like she belonged to him—body, mind, soul. And maybe she did.
But that didn't mean she'd stay.
Lelo had grown quiet too. Not entirely cold, but different. She would stare at Serene with unreadable eyes, speak with too much politeness, and hug her like she was fragile glass. The child was usually an open book, but now even she seemed to be guarding something. Or maybe… maybe she knew.
Serene's hands trembled every time she reached for the journal she no longer wrote in. Gloria's last words echoed like thunder behind her silence:
"Nothing ever goes unnoticed under the Ashbornes' eyes."
What if it had been a trap? A way to test her? Roman was calculating—his silence could be the calm before a storm. She knew the man could burn the world just to stop her from leaving.
She was near tears when a soft knock tapped at her bathroom door.
A maid stood there, eyes darting nervously down the hall before pushing a crumpled piece of paper into Serene's hand. No words. No hesitation. Just fear.
Serene shut the door and opened the message with trembling fingers.
> "It's ready. Tomorrow. Roman will be at the office. Lelo at her grandparents'. You'll be helped out the west corridor. Don't hesitate. Don't look back. Be ready."
– G
Her knees nearly buckled.
How did Gloria know their schedules so precisely? How had she managed to fool the security—Roman's security? Serene didn't know. Didn't dare ask. But this time, the flicker of hope grew.
She placed her palm over the small bump on her belly, her voice barely a whisper:
"Just a little longer."
But in her bones, Serene knew escape wouldn't come easy—not from a man like Roman Ashborne. Not when she carried his child.
And if he ever found out she remembered everything…
He wouldn't just stop her.
He would destroy everything to keep her.
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