Chapter 4
1268 Words
Natalie didn’t sleep that night.
Not because of the pain in her body.
Not because of the machines beeping beside her.
But because she knew something had changed.
Someone had crossed a line.
And once that line was crossed, life never went back to normal.
She lay in the hospital bed staring at the ceiling, replaying the accident over and over. The sound of the engine. The rush of wind. The way the headlights had filled her vision right before everything went black.
It wasn’t random.
Someone wanted her gone.
And they weren’t scared of consequences.
Her phone sat on the table beside her. Silent. Too silent.
Kevin had left after the police took her statement, but he promised he would return. She hadn’t asked him to stay. Didn’t want to need him.
But deep down, she was afraid.
When morning came, she felt hollow.
The doctor discharged her early afternoon. She had Mild concussion, Bruised ribs and a Sprained wrist. A prescription for painkillers and strict instructions to rest.
She laughed at that.
Rest didn’t pay rent.
Kevin was waiting outside her room.
Black coat. Hands in pockets. Eyes tired.
“We need to talk,” he said.
She nodded.
They walked in silence through the hospital hallway. Outside, his car waited.
She stopped walking.
“I’m not coming home with you,” she said.
“I know,” Kevin replied. “You’re coming somewhere safer.”
“I’m not a child.”
“No,” he said quietly. “You’re a target.”
The word chilled her.
She crossed her arms. “I can take care of myself.”
“You almost died.”
“That doesn’t mean I suddenly belong to you.”
He exhaled slowly. “Nat”
“I won’t live in your house,” she cut in. “I won’t be watched. I won’t be controlled.”
Kevin looked at her for a long moment. “You’ll be protected.”
She laughed bitterly. “By you?”
“Yes.”
Her chest tightened. “That’s exactly why I won’t.”
Silence.
Then Kevin nodded.
“Fine,” he said. “We’ll find you another place.”
Her brows knitted. “What?”
“A temporary apartment,” he explained. “Security, Cameras, Guards.”
“That’s insane.”
“So is someone trying to kill you.”
She opened her mouth to argue.
Then her phone vibrated.
The same Unknown number.
Her stomach dropped.
She opened it.
UNKNOWN: I know you’re leaving the hospital.
Her breath caught.
Kevin watched her face carefully. “What is it?”
She handed him the phone.
His jaw hardened.
“That settles it,” he said.
“No,” she whispered.
“You’re not going back to that apartment.”
Natalie felt trapped. “Kevin”
“This is not negotiable.”
She wanted to fight him. Wanted to scream.
But fear was stronger.
They drove in silence.
The city blurred past the windows. Everything felt unreal.
The apartment Kevin arranged wasn’t luxury, but it wasn’t poor either. Quiet building. Gated entrance. Cameras everywhere.
Security nodded as Kevin drove in.
Natalie’s chest tightened.
This wasn’t protection.
This was a cage.
Inside, the apartment was clean. Minimal. Cold.
“You’ll stay here for now,” Kevin said. “No one will know.”
Natalie dropped her bag. “And my job?”
“You won’t be returning to the main floor.”
She turned sharply. “What does that mean?”
“I’ve transferred you to another department. Where there’s Less exposure.”
“So I get punished?”
“You get hidden.” He said
“I’m not a dirty secret,” she snapped.
Kevin stepped closer. “You’re not safe.”
“I didn’t ask to be.”
“You never do,” he said softly. “And you always get hurt.”
Her throat tightened.
“I’ll go back to work tomorrow,” she said.
Kevin stared at her. “You shouldn’t.”
“I need that job.”
“You don’t need to suffer anymore.”
She laughed. “Easy to say when you own everything.”
His eyes darkened. “You think I built this without suffering?”
“You built it with choices,” she shot back. “I’m just surviving.”
He didn’t answer.
The next morning, Natalie went back to work.
Pain shot through her ribs with every step, but she ignored it.
The office felt different now.
Colder and Heavier.
Eyes followed her around, Whispers spread.
“She’s the one who got hit.”
“She’s sleeping with someone important.”
“She’s trouble.”
Cynthia watched her like a hawk.
“So you survived,” Cynthia said sweetly. “Lucky girl.”
Natalie didn’t reply.
“New assignment,” Cynthia added. “Executive assistant floor.”
Natalie froze. “No.”
Cynthia smiled. “Orders from above.”
Natalie understood immediately.
Kevin.
She clenched her jaw and followed.
The executive floor was quiet. Heavy doors and Thick carpets with Soft lighting.
She felt out of place.
A tall woman stepped out of an office.
Blonde. Sharp. Perfect.
It was Olivia.
“So you’re back,” Olivia said, eyes scanning Natalie slowly. “Impressive.”
Natalie said nothing.
“You’re assigned to me now,” Olivia added. “You’ll assist me directly.”
Natalie’s stomach dropped.
This wasn’t coincidence.
This was control.
Working for Olivia was hell.
Nothing was right.
Everything was wrong.
The coffee was too hot.
The files were in the wrong order.
The timing was off.
“Are you stupid?” Olivia snapped.
“No,” Natalie said quietly.
“Then act like it.”
Natalie swallowed and continued.
By midday, her head pounded, Her wrist throbbed.
Olivia watched her closely, eyes calculating.
During lunch, Natalie overheard whispers.
“She thinks she can replace Olivia.”
“She’s playing dangerous games.”
“She won’t last.”
Natalie didn’t know who was spreading the stories.
But she knew why.
It was Jealousy.
By evening, she was exhausted.
She gathered the last files and turned
Only to collide with Kevin.
Their eyes met.
Tension flared instantly.
“What are you doing here?” she whispered.
“Checking on you.”
“I don’t need checking.”
“You look pale.”
“I’m working.”
He studied her face, his jaw tightening.
Olivia stepped out behind them.
“Kevin,” she said smoothly, slipping her hand into his arm. “There you are.”
Natalie felt something twist painfully in her chest.
“We were just talking,” Olivia added, glancing at Natalie. “Your little assistant here needs… guidance.”
Kevin pulled his arm free. “That’s enough.”
Olivia’s smile stiffened.
“You’re taking her side?” she asked quietly.
Kevin didn’t answer.
That silence said everything.
Olivia’s eyes darkened.
That night, Natalie returned to the apartment alone.
Her body hurt. Her head spun.
She locked the door behind her and leaned against it, exhausted.
Her phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
Her heart pounded.
She opened it.
UNKNOWN: You think you’re safe now?
Her breath caught.
UNKNOWN: Check your door.
Slowly, shaking, Natalie turned around.
A small box sat on her welcome mat.
Her stomach dropped.
She stared at it for a long moment.
Then bent and picked it up.
Inside was a single photo.
A picture of her.
Taken earlier that day.
At work.
From behind.
A message was written across it in red ink:
YOU CAN’T HIDE.
Her knees weakened.
And just as fear fully took hold
Her phone rang.
It was Kevin.
- Writer
