Chapter Three: The Offer
630 Words
Aria's POV
I stood beneath the hotel's entrance canopy long after the call ended.
Rain fell in steady sheets, turning the city into a blur of lights and shadows. Guests hurried inside, shielding themselves with umbrellas, completely unaware that the bride had disappeared. I stared at my phone.
"You've just escaped one contract." "But if you want to keep your inheritance..." "You'll have to sign another one."
The words echoed in my mind. Who was he? How did he know about my grandfather's inheritance? And why did he sound so certain that I was about to lose it?
"Aria!"
I turned. Lily pushed through the revolving doors, her dress soaked by the rain.
"I've been looking everywhere." She stopped in front of me, studying my face. "You're freezing."
"I'm fine."
She sighed. "No, you're not."
Without another word, she slipped off her coat and draped it over my shoulders. I hadn't realized how cold I was until then.
"What happened after you left?" I asked quietly.
"Ethan's furious."
I let out a humorless laugh. "I can imagine." "He told everyone you had a panic attack."
That surprised me. "He... covered for me?"
Lily's expression hardened. "No." "He covered for himself." "He keeps telling your family the wedding is only delayed."
I looked away. Of course he would. If the marriage didn't happen today, he still had a chance to manipulate me into changing my mind.
"You can't go back to him," Lily said firmly.
"I'm not."
"But I don't know where to go either."
For the first time since leaving the bridal suite, I felt completely lost. I had no parents. My grandfather died two years ago. The company he built was the only piece of family I had left. And now I wasn't even sure it still belonged to me.
My phone vibrated again. This time, it wasn't an unknown number. It was Daniel Harper. My grandfather's lawyer.
I answered immediately. "Mr. Harper?"
"Miss Winters." His voice was unusually tense. "I've been trying to reach you."
"I know. I'm sorry."
"There isn't much time."
A knot formed in my stomach. "What happened?"
"Where are you?"
"At the Grand Crescent Hotel."
"Leave immediately."
My heartbeat quickened. "What?"
"I can't explain over the phone." "Just listen carefully." "If Ethan approaches you with any documents, don't sign them."
"I wasn't planning to."
"Good."
He lowered his voice. "And whatever you do..." "Don't go home tonight."
The color drained from my face. "Why?"
There was a long pause.
"I'm afraid someone has already broken into your house."
I stopped breathing. "What?"
"We'll talk in person." "I've sent you an address." "Come alone."
Before I could ask another question, the call ended. A second later, a message appeared on my screen. It wasn't an office. It wasn't a hotel. It was an address on the outskirts of the city.
An abandoned estate.
Lily frowned when she saw my expression. "What is it?" I showed her the message. "You're not seriously thinking about going there, are you?"
"I don't know."
"It could be a trap."
"I know."
"But if Mr. Harper is involved..."
My phone buzzed again. Another message. This one came from the unknown number. Trust no one. Not even your grandfather's lawyer. I felt my blood run cold.
Before I could react, another message followed. Look across the street. Slowly, I lifted my head.
A black SUV was parked beneath a flickering streetlight. Its windows were too dark to see inside. The engine was running. Waiting.
As I watched, the rear passenger door clicked open. No one stepped out. No one spoke. It was simply… Waiting for me. I had no idea who was inside.
But every instinct told me that once I got into that vehicle… There would be no turning back.
- Writer
