Bound by the Vows of Power

CHAPTER THREE

The Escape:

Sophia was troubled in her mind as she hurried after Lucas through the dark, going through garden paths. The sounds of happiness, joy and music from the gala quenched behind them, replaced by the soft crunch of gravel beneath their feet and the distant sound of traffic from the city afar of. Everything around her felt not real, like a dream—or perhaps a nightmare— which she couldn’t imagine.

Lucas quickly moved, looking back over his shoulder every few moments, with every sense of urgency. The tension in the air was palpable, and Sophia’s mind was running with questions. Could she really trust Lucas? Was she making the right choice, or was she walking into even more danger? But with every step, the fear that Damian was watching them, waiting for the right moment to strike, only grew stronger.

Finally, they reached a side gate that led to the parking lot. Lucas stopped, pulling a set of keys from his pocket. "I have a car waiting just outside the estate," he said, his voice low. "We’ll leave now, get as far away as possible before Damian realizes what’s happening."

Sophia hesitated, her hand checking her phone continuously. Her father. Could she really just leave without telling him? What would my father think when he found out she had disappeared? Would he believe that Damian was behind all of this? Or would he see her as the one who had ruined everything?

Lucas seemed to sense her hesitation. "I know this is hard, but you can’t call him," he said softly. "If your father finds out, he might try to stop you—and that will only make things worse. Right now, the best way to protect him is to get away from Damian before it’s too late."

Sophia breathed hard, her throat tightening with emotion. The hope of her father had always been on her, the reason things still seemed together even when everything was falling apart. Walking away felt like betrayal, but staying… staying would mean handing her life over to a man who might destroy everything she loved.

"I’m ready," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Lucas nodded and pushed open the gate. They went through, and true to his word, there was a sleek black car parked just down the street, its engine idling quietly. Lucas opened the passenger door for her, and Sophia slid into the seat, her hands shaking slightly as she buckled her seatbelt. Lucas went beside her and quickly drove away, the estate vanishing into the darkness behind them.

For some minutes, they drove in silence, the streetlights flickering past like ghosts. Sophia looked out the window, her mind full of so many thoughts. She had no idea where they were going, what Lucas’s plan was, or how long they would have to stay hidden. All she knew was that she couldn’t go back—not now.

"Where are we going Lucas?" she finally asked, her voice looked so fainted.

"Lucas responds saying I have a safe house outside the city," keeping his eyes on the road. "It’s secluded, and no one knows about it—not even Damian, my brother. We’ll stay there until we devise another plan that will figure out the next steps."

guarantee your safety. Damian won’t find us?"

Lucas’s jaw tightened. "Damian has resources, but he’s also arrogant. He won’t expect you to run. Not until it’s too late."

Sophia leaned back in her seat, her mind drifting to the message Lucas had sent her earlier. It’s more serious than you think. What could be worse than the financial schemes Lucas had warned her about? What else was Damian hiding?

"Lucas," she began cautiously, "you said earlier that Damian’s involved in something darker. What did you mean by that?"

Lucas waited for a moment before answering. "I didn’t want to frighten you then, but you deserve to know the truth. Damian isn’t just using your father’s company to launder money. He has a criminal case linked up with smuggling, human trafficking, and more bad businesses.

Sophia’s stomach twisted in fear. "Why didn’t you go to the police?"

"Because Damian is highly connected within and outside the society," Lucas said grimly. "The police, politicians, even some dignitaries in the corporate world who probably are your father's close associates have been pocketed by Damian. If I tried to expose him without solid proof, I’d be the one who ended up behind bars. Or worse."

Sophia felt a chill run down her spine. She had always known that Damian was ruthless, but she had never imagined he was capable of this. "What do we do now?" she asked, her voice barely steady.

"We lay low," Lucas replied. "We gather the evidence we need, then we take it to someone outside Damian’s reach—someone who can take him down for good."

Sophia nodded, though the fear still gnawed at her. She had no idea who this "someone" was or how they would ever find enough evidence to bring Damian to justice. But for now, she had to trust Lucas. He was the only one who seemed to be on her side.

They drove for hours across the city until they crossed the city into the interior bush. The landscape stretches endlessly on either side.

Panic surged through her as she realized she was alone. The car was parked on the side of a narrow road, surrounded by trees, their dark branches twisting in the wind like skeletal hands. There was no sign of Lucas anywhere.

Her mind raced. Had something happened to him? Or had he left her behind?

Just as she reached for her phone to try calling him, the passenger door suddenly opened, and Lucas appeared, his face pale and tense.

"Get out," shouted urgently and his voice sounded low but filled with alarm. "Now."

Sophia’s heart pounded faintly as she unfastened her seatbelt, running out from the car. "What’s going on?" she asked in fear.

Lucas grabbed her arm suddenly, drawing her toward the edge of the road, where the trees cast long shadows in the moonlight. "We’re being followed," he shouted, glancing nervously over his shoulder. "There is a car coming behind us, the car seems to be trailing our movement for the last few miles."

Sophia’s blood ran cold. "Do you think it’s Damian?"

"I can not tell," Lucas admitted, his voice shaken in fear. "But we must not take any chances, it's better we find a place in the bush to hide."

Without further communication or word, Lucas led her into the dense forest, their movement in the bush was muffled by their footsteps. The trees closed in around them, the darkness swallowing them whole. Sophia’s heart raced, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps as they moved deeper into the woods.

Behind them, was the sound of a car engine which grew louder, sending a jolt of terror through her. Whoever was following them was getting closer.

"Sophia stoop low," Lucas whispered, pulling her down behind a large tree. "Don’t make a sound."

Sophia could hardly breathe as her heart kept hammering in her chest. The car moved slowly as it passed by, the engine making a serious noise as they moved. She could feel Lucas’s fierce grip on her arm, both of them frozen, praying they wouldn’t be seen.

Immediately Sophia's mind came to a rest thinking they were safe, the car suddenly stopped and the headlights went off.

Instantly, there was a silence followed by the sound of a car opening. Someone was coming for them.