CHAPTER 4
815 Words
THE CHOICE THAT WAS NEVER HERS
The house remained silent long after Lucien Moretti’s convoy disappeared.
Clara stood in the middle of the living room, her chest rising and falling with every angry breath.
Her father didn't move.
Neither did she.
The ticking clock on the wall sounded like a countdown.
Finally…
She laughed.
A hollow laugh that didn't belong to her.
“So”...
She turned slowly to the father.
“You sold me…”
Albert looked as though he'd aged ten years in ten minutes.
“No”.
“No?” She repeated, taking one step toward him. “Then explain what just happened.”
He opened his mouth.
Nothing came out.
She smiled bitterly.
“I thought so.”
She walked past him.
“Clara…”
“Don’t”.
Her voice cut through the room like a broken glass.
“If you call my name again…”
She swallowed hard.
“… I might forget you're my father."
His shoulder slumped.
“I was trying to save us.”
She spun around.
“Save us?”
Her eyes filled with tears.
“By marrying me off to a man I've never met?”
‘‘He isn't what people say.”
She stared at him in disbelief.
“You actually expect me to believe that?”
“I expect you to stay alive."
The words hung in the air.
What does that mean?
“He looked away.” I can't tell you.
She nodded slowly, then we're done.
She walked upstairs without another word.
Twenty minutes later….
A black duffel bag landed on her bed.
She didn't care what she packed.
Jeans, two dresses, her passport, a little cash and her mother's necklace.
That was enough.
She wasn't waiting around to become anyone's bride.
She zipped the bag shut and climbed out onto the balcony.
The drainpipe looked sturdy enough.
“If a princess could climb towers…”
She muttered.
“....so can I ?”
She swung one leg over the railing.
Then the other.
Her palms burned as she slid down the pipe.
When her feet finally touched the grass, she grinned.
“Take that, Devil.”
She sprinted towards the back gate.
Freedom was only a few hundred meters away.
She almost made it.
A black motorcycle rolled into her path.
Its rider removed his helmet.
Dark hair, a scar around his jaw, a slow smile.
“Miss Ashcroft”.
She stepped backward.
“I don't know you.”
“No”.
He smiled wider.
“But I know exactly who you are.”
“Move”.
“I'm afraid I can't.” She looked around. The street was empty, too empty.
“Who sent you?”
“The same people who sent Moretti.”
Her stomach tightened.
“So he changed his mind?”
“Oh, no”.
The man chuckled.
“Mr Moretti doesn't know we're here.”
Her heartbeat quickened.
“Then who are you?”
He leaned casually against the motorcycle.
“The Romano family”.
“The name meant nothing to her.” It didn't have to.
The gun in his hand explained enough.
“We've been looking for you all day.”
She ran.
The gunshot echoed behind her.
She screamed.
The bullet struck the brick wall inches from her head.
Another motorcycle appeared.
Then another
Then a black SUV blocked the road ahead.
She was trapped.
The scarred man walked towards her slowly.
“Don't make this difficult.”
She backed away until her shoulders hit a wall.
“Stay away from me.”
“I'm sorry”.
His smile disappeared.
But you're worth more alive.
He reached for her…
A black Mercedes crashed into the motorcycle beside him.
Metal screamed.
Glass exploded.
Men scattered.
Before Clara could understand what was happening…
The rear door of the Mercedes opened.
Lucian Moretti stepped out.
Not hurried.
Not angry.
His suit was still immaculate.
He looked at the Romano men as though they were nothing more than an inconvenience.
The scared man laughed.
“You followed us."
Lucien adjusted the cuff of his sleeve.
“No”.
“You made the mistake of entering my city."
The Romano men raised their weapons.
Lucian didn't.
He simply looked at Clara.
One sentence, cold and direct.
“Get in the car."
“I'd rather die."
His expression didn't change.
“That can be arranged."
She glared at him.
“I hate you”
“I know”.
Another gunshot rang out.
This one wasn't a warning.
It was aimed at her.
Lucien moved before she could.
His hand caught her arm and pulled her behind him.
A bullet struck the Mercedes with a deafening c***k.
Lucien looked at the Romano leader.
His voice remained calm.
“You've just declared war."
The Romano leader smiled.
Good.
- Writer
