The walls were closing in.
That's how it felt for Tessa as she stood in front of the mirror in the guest room Lady Bianca assigned to her. She could still feel the soreness of childbirth in her bones but here she was, stuffed into a designer gown.
"You need to leave," Chloe whispered from behind, pacing round the room. "Tonight…"
Tessa turned to her, confused. "What are you talking about? Leave to why? Why would I leave?"
"You need to run away. You can't stay here anymore." Chloe said.
Tessa's lips parted, but no sound came out. Chloe stepped closer, her voice and expression stern. "You said it yourself, Tessa. You don't trust him. You're afraid he's going to throw you out any moment. What if that day is tomorrow? Where will you go to? The dorm? Impossible. How long can you survive with three million? You have student loans to repay."
"But my babies…" Tessa stuttered blinking her eyes in disapproval.
"Exactly! The babies! How will you take care of them? You've got a house? No. Ares already signed the birth certificates," Chloe interrupted. "That's what you want, right? Security. A name. They have it now."
Tessa blinked back tears. "I can't just leave them, Chloe."
"Listen to me," Chloe said, grabbing her shoulders. "They're powerful, Tessa. If they throw you out, they'll keep them. They'll make sure you never see them again. But if you leave now, quietly, you can figure out a way to fight for them legally…in future. You need distance. You need time. You need to survive first."
Tessa's voice cracked. "They're newborns…"
"And they have enough nannies, two nurses, and Lady Bianca who would kill for those babies," Chloe said bluntly. "They'll be fine for now. You? You won't be if you stay."
Tessa turned to the mirror again, barely recognizing the reflection that stared back.
Was this really her life now?
"Is leaving necessary?" Tessa asked. "I don't see why I should leave."
"If Ares throws you and the babies out tomorrow, what will you do?" Chloe asked. "Where will you go to?"
Tessa sighed in defeat. "I don't know."
"But if you leave now, he won't throw them out." Chloe grabbed her wrist. "Come on. I have a plan."
***
The Langford estate was buzzing with artificial smiles and clinking champagne flutes. Everyone dressed in white and gold, celebrating an engagement that neither party had acknowledged.
Ares stood in the center of it all, sipping whiskey with a brooding glare, eyes scanning for one person.
Tessa.
Julian approached him, careful. "You've seen her?"
"No," Ares muttered, looking around.
"She looked uncomfortable earlier. I thought she was stepping out for air."
"She wouldn't just leave," Ares said quickly, too quickly.
Julian narrowed his gaze. "Are you sure?"
Ares said nothing.
***
Chloe pulled Tessa by the hand, weaving through the servant quarters and sneaking past the camera blind spots. They slipped out through the back kitchen and disappeared into the night, leaving behind the lights, the noise, the diamonds.
Once they reached the car, Chloe threw open the passenger door. "In. Now."
Tessa hesitated just once. Her body trembled. Her heart twisted.
Then she got in.
"It doesn't feel like I'm doing the right thing." She blurted out.
"Just trust me." Chloe said.
***
Ares searched the gardens. The nursery. Her room.
She was nowhere.
Panic rose like bile. He called her but he got no answer. He called again after thirty minutes, still nothing.
He stormed down the hallway, Julian on his heels. "She's gone."
Julian paused. "Gone? You mean left the party?"
"No." Ares turned sharply. "Gone. Gone."
Julian inhaled slowly, watching him. "Do you think she found out about our plan?"
"Your plan your mean? That I didn't agree with." Ares's jaw tensed. "I don't know."
They rushed to the front gates. The guards looked confused. "We didn't see anyone leave, sir."
***
They drove through the night in silence at first. Tessa sat stiffly, staring ahead. The city blurred behind them as the highway opened into dark countryside roads.
Chloe finally broke the silence. "We'll go to Pinewood. My aunt has a cabin. She's out of the country till next month. No one will find you there."
Tessa nodded, still trying to breathe through the ache in her chest. "I left them."
"No, Tessa. You protected them. They're safe. You need to be, too." Chloe said with a faint smile.
Tessa looked away, tears rolled silently down her cheeks.
By the time Chloe's car reached the mountainside, the sun had begun to rise. The cabin was tucked into the woods, quiet and remote. Perfect.
Inside, Tessa collapsed onto a sofa, breathless and numb.
Chloe handed her a cup of warm tea. "Rest. You're safe."
But Tessa didn't feel safe.
***
Back at the estate, Ares stood in the dim nursery, looking down at the four peacefully sleeping babies. Their tiny chests rose and fell in sync. One had her eyes. Another had her chin.
But she wasn't here.
"She's really gone." Julian said. "Oh boyyyyy…"
Ares glared at them in confusion and fear. "What am I to do with four babies that aren't mine?" Tears rolled down his cheeks.