Billionaire's Hidden Vows

chapter 5

THE ABANDONED BRIDE

That night, the storm had gathered swiftly, with thunder splintering the sky and wind whipping against the mansion windows. Emilia sat on her bed's edge and gazed at the raindrops rushing down the windowpane. Half of her clothes were in her open suitcase on the floor. She couldn't tell when the idea had solidified into a decision. Maybe it was the recollection of Adrian's arrogant declaration that she would plead on his behalf. Maybe it was the defeated expression in her father's eyes, which she would not replicate. All she knew was that she wouldn't be here when Adrian returned, and she had 48 hours before he did. As she packed the last of her possessions into the case, her heart raced. The hall reverberated with her father's soft snores; he had finally succumbed to exhaustion. She detested the idea of him being disappointed when he found her gone, and she detested leaving without saying anything. However, staying would shatter her more quickly than leaving would. She took her passport out of the drawer and zipped the suitcase. She stuffed it into her bag with trembling hands. It was a flimsy plan. Careless. She would leave the city on the midnight train, vanish into anonymity, and never return. Adrian Cross could buy businesses, destroy competitors, and influence politicians, but he couldn't own her if he couldn't locate her. That's what she prayed, anyway. With the suitcase dragging silently behind her, she slipped into the hall. In the old home, every shadow seemed alive, and every creak of the floors seemed like a gunshot in the stillness. Halfway down the steps, she heard her phone buzzing. She froze, her breath trapped in her throat. A message flickered on the screen. Adrian Cross told him not to run. There won't be much progress.

Her blood turned cold. How did he know? Did spies infiltrate the house? Cameras? Was someone now watching her? She shoved the phone in her pocket and went on in spite of her panic. Fear would not hold her back. This was something she had to try. She pushed the latch open on the front door and stepped out into the storm. Her hair was plastered to her face as the rain immediately soaked her. With each thunderclap, her heart pounded as she struggled her suitcase across the driveway and down the stairs. The headlights of a taxi glowed like salvation as it idled at the gate. She could hardly afford the money she had paid the driver to wait for her earlier, but freedom required sacrifice. She flung her suitcase inside after yanking the door open. She slid into the back seat and gasped, Train station. With a nod, the driver withdrew. Rain and darkness engulfed the mansion, making it appear smaller in the rearview mirror. Emilia let out a shaky breath of relief for the first time in days. It was her. She was actually running away. Relief, however, was fleeting. The mirror showed black headlights half a mile down the road. Powerful, sleek cars that are traveling too quickly. Her stomach fell. No, she muttered. Engines roaring like hunted predators, the cars closed in. the driver gave her a tense look. Are those Miss? Don't stop! She exclaimed. Quicker! The tires of the taxi splashed through puddles as the engine roared. The black cars, however, gained with frightening ease and persisted. Alongside them, one swerved, its tinted window rolling down just enough to give Emilia a glimpse of Adrian's insignia stamped on the door, glinting coldly. Her heart pounded. She pointed to a small country lane that veered off the main road and yelled, Cut through there! The cab bounced violently over potholes as the driver swerved. They gained valuable seconds when the pursuing vehicle faltered at the sharp bend. Emilia, though, knew it wouldn't last. Her phone buzzed once more. Adrian Cross, Heroic. But stupid. Her eyes pricked with tears, not out of fear but rage. He believed he could manipulate her and anticipate all of her actions. She would not allow him to. Far away, the lights of the train station flickered like a beacon in the storm. The driver gasped as he got closer. Then, suddenly, a black SUV screamed, obstructing the road in front of them. Brakes screaming, the taxi skidded to a stop. Emilia felt pain jolt through her shoulder as she slammed into the seat in front of her. The SUV's doors opened. Umbrellas clattered against the rain as men in dark suits poured out. Their expressions were fearfully serene, blank, and efficient. Emilia's heart stopped. She hurried to the opposite door and fumbled with the handle. The roar of the storm and the thumping of her own heart overpowered the driver's yell. She pushed the door open and dashed outside into the rain. Her suitcase dropped into the mud, forgotten. She ran with burning legs and gasping lungs. Thunder crackled overhead, drowning out shouts behind her. Through the darkness came the hauntingly beautiful sound of the train's whistle. If only she could reach it - a patch of slick mud caught her foot. She dropped to her knees, her palms hurting. Even though her leg started to hurt, she forced herself to stand and continued to stumble. And the station was drawing nearer. She could see the conductor waving passengers onto the platform and the cars waiting. A voice roared behind her, Miss Hart! She felt her blood freeze. It was one of his men, not Adrian. She turned away. Couldn’t. Rainwater trickled down her face like tears as she rushed for the train, pushing past shocked passengers. With the whistle shrieking once more, the conductor called for last boarding. The train started to move, and Emilia threw herself onto the steps. Robust hands seized her arm, but she cried out in desperation and yanked free, falling inside. The doors slammed closed. The train stumbled along. Wet to the bone, her chest heaving, she fell into a seat. As night fell, the station lights faded into obscurity. For the first time since Adrian Cross had come into her life, Emilia felt threatened, drunk, and afraid. I'm hoping. But as the train carried her away, her phone buzzed one last time. She stared at the TV, fear pulsing through her. Adrian Cross: Run, Emilia. Run as far as you can. I will still find you. She left the message in place despite her trembling hand. Because she instinctively knew he was right. When he found her, what happened? The storm outside raged on, just as the tempest inside her did. Emilia closed her eyes and clutched her knees to her chest. She had escaped tonight. But the real chase was just beginning.