THE RUNAWAY CONTRACT BRIDE

Run away

I bent over, pressing a hand against my stomach as if the wave of nausea will finally make me throw up.

From the corner of my eye, I watched Aunt Priscilia through the side mirror. Her attention was buried in her phone, her lips moving as though she was muttering to herself. She wasn't looking at me anymore.

This was it.

My fingers tightened around my handbag, as I forced myself not to rush, I took one step, then another.

The moment I cleared the side of the car, I broke into a sprint.

My sandals slapped against the ground as I crossed the road without looking. Horns blasted from every direction, but I didn't stop. The air burned in my lungs, my heart pounded so violently it felt ready to burst through my chest.

Behind me, I heard Aunt Priscilia shouting my name.

I didn't look back, if I looked back, I'd stumble on something and collapse and they'd catch me.

I kept running, weaving through strangers who stared at me as I rushed past them. Someone cursed after I nearly bumped into him, but none of it mattered. The only thing that mattered was getting as far away from that car as possible.

A taxi slowed beside the curb , I yanked the back door open and climbed inside.

"Drive," I gasped.

The driver glanced at me through the rearview mirror.

"Where to?"

"Just... move."

He shrugged, revised and pulled away from the curb.

Only when we had driven a short distance did I dare glance behind us.

Their car, we drove past it and it was crawling along the road, searching.

Aunt Priscilia leaned halfway out of the passenger window, scanning every face on the sidewalk.

I quickly ducked my head, hugging my handbag tightly against my chest until it almost hurt, every second felt endless.

I raised my head up, and slowly looked back.

Seth had stepped out of the car. Even from a distance, I could see the panic written across his face. He spun around, searching every direction, while Aunt Priscilia was already dialing someone's number with hurried fingers.

A second later, my phone vibrated… it was Aunt Priscilia.

My thumb hovered over the screen, for one painful moment, guilt tugged at me.

Then I declined the call.

Another call came immediately.

I silenced my phone, switched it to Do Not Disturb, and shoved it deep inside my bag.

The driver glanced at me again but wisely chose not to ask questions.

I rested my head against the seat and closed my eyes.

The plan had been reckless and messy.

But it had worked, and or now.

What ever I had faced back in that mansion,I could survive all of that.

But I couldn't let them drag me somewhere and make a decision over my own body. Or over the tiny life growing inside me.

Without realizing it, my hand drifted to my stomach.

"Young lady," the driver finally spoke, his voice breaking the silence. "Where exactly are we going?"

"The main park... Tribeca," I answered quickly.

He nodded without another question.

Silence settled over the car again.

For a few minutes, everything seemed calm.

Then my stomach twisted violently, damn it.

I swallowed hard—Not now.

Another wave of climbed my throat. Cold sweat gathered across my forehead.

"Please..." I whispered.

The nausea surged harder.

"Please stop the car!"

The driver frowned, confused by my sudden panic.

I couldn't wait anymore.

My hand searched desperately until I spotted a nylon sack beside his seat. I grabbed it just as everything rushed out of me.

The sound filled the silent cab.

When it finally stopped, my eyes burned with tears.

The driver stared at the ruined sack before letting out a long sigh.

"Ma'am..." he said, pinching the bridge of his nose. "That was my lunch."

Heat rushed to my face.

"Oh God..."

My voice cracked.

"I'm... I'm so sorry. I really tried. I even asked you to stop."

For a moment, I thought he'd throw me out of the cab.

Instead, he muttered something under his breath, climbed out, tied the sack carefully, and tossed it into a nearby trash bin.

When he returned, neither of us spoke.

The rest of the journey passed in uncomfortable silence.

The taxi stopped at the main park.

I paid him, thanked him again despite the awkwardness, and watched him drive away almost immediately.

I couldn't blame him.

Wrapping my arms around myself, I searched for another cab.

This time, I gave the driver a different address.

Maddy's apartment.

Nearly thirty minutes later, the familiar seven-story gray building came into view.

Relief washed over me so suddenly that my knees almost gave out.

I paid the fare and hurried inside.

The elevator was packed, but I squeezed myself into one corner, praying no one would recognize me. Every passing floor felt painfully slow until the doors finally opened on the fifth floor.

I walked to Maddy's apartment and pressed the doorbell.

Footsteps approached, and the door swung open.

Anthony.

"Maddy's boyfriend."

His face lit up.

"Amy. Hi."

"It's been a while."

I forced a weak smile.

"Hi."

"How's married life treating you?"

The words landed like stones in my chest, my smile vanished.

Before I could force out an answer, another voice called from inside.

"Amy?"

Maddy appeared behind him, her eyes widening.

"Oh my goodness, you're here!"

She nudged Anthony aside.

"Will you stop blocking the doorway? Let her come in."

He chuckled and stepped away.

The moment I entered, the warmth of the apartment wrapped around me like a blanket.

Anthony disappeared into the kitchen to get me something to drink while Maddy guided me to the couch.

She sat beside me, studying my face carefully.

"Baby girl," she said gently. "I saw your text. What's going on? Are you okay?"

I opened my mouth, nothing came out. Instead, my vision blurred.

The tears I'd been holding back all day broke free, a sob tore out of my chest before I could stop it.

Maddy's expression changed instantly.

She pulled me into her arms without asking another question, rubbing slow circles over my back as I cried against her shoulder.

"It's okay," she whispered softly. "You're safe now. I'm here."