The billionaire's contract wife

Secrets Unveiled

Chapter Four

Matilda leaned against the kitchen counter, her heart racing as she processed the gravity of their situation. She had never imagined that running away would lead her into the midst of a dangerous game. Thomas and Theo stood nearby, their expressions a mix of concern and determination.

“We need to figure out what we’re dealing with,” Thomas said, his voice steady despite the tension in the air. “Matilda, if there’s anything in your past that could lead them here, we need to know now.”

Matilda swallowed hard, feeling the weight of their gazes on her. She had kept her secrets hidden for so long, hoping to escape the pain of her past. But now, with the threat closing in, it felt as if the walls were closing in on her. “I... I don’t know what to say,” she finally confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’ve tried to forget everything.”

“Maybe it’s time to confront it,” Theo said, his tone softer than before. “If you don’t tell us, we can’t help you.”

The sincerity in his voice surprised her. This arrogant young man, who had initially looked at her with disdain, was now showing a side she hadn’t expected. “I lost my family,” she admitted, her voice trembling. “They were taken from me because of my father’s business dealings. I didn’t even know the extent of it until it was too late.”

“Business dealings?” Thomas echoed, concern etching deeper lines on his face. “What kind of dealings?”

Matilda felt a surge of anger at the memory of her father. “He was involved in something dangerous, and I was just collateral damage. I thought I could escape it by moving here, but I was wrong.”

Theo frowned, processing her words. “So you think they’re after you because of your father?”

“Maybe,” she said, her mind racing. “But it’s more than that. They won’t stop until they find me. I didn’t ask for this life, and I don’t want to put you both in danger.”

Thomas stepped closer, his presence reassuring. “You’re not alone in this. We’ll figure it out together.”

Just then, a loud crash echoed through the house, causing them all to jump. The sound came from the front of the house. Matilda’s heart raced as she exchanged fearful glances with Thomas and Theo.

“We need to move,” Thomas said, his voice firm. “Get to the back entrance and prepare for anything.”

As they rushed through the hallway, Matilda’s mind raced with a million thoughts. She had spent her life running, but now she was faced with a confrontation she couldn’t escape. They reached the kitchen, and Theo flung open the door leading to the back of the house.

“Go! I’ll cover you!” he shouted, glancing back as the sound of footsteps approached.

“No! We all go!” Thomas insisted, but Theo’s determination was unwavering.

“I’m not leaving you behind. Just go!”

Matilda hesitated, torn between her instincts to protect Theo and the urgency of the moment. She felt the pressure mounting, the reality of their situation crashing down on her. But before she could voice her thoughts, a group of men burst into the kitchen, their faces masked and their intentions clear.

“Get down!” Thomas shouted, pushing Matilda and Theo behind him as he took a defensive stance.

In that moment, everything felt surreal. Matilda’s heart raced as she tried to comprehend what was happening. The masked men advanced, weapons drawn, and chaos erupted. Theo grabbed Matilda’s hand, pulling her toward the back entrance as Thomas held his ground.

“Keep going!” Thomas yelled, determination in his eyes. “I’ll hold them off!”

Matilda’s heart ached at the sight of Thomas ready to sacrifice himself. “No! We can’t leave you!”

“Just go! Now!”

With tears in her eyes, Matilda turned and ran, Theo by her side. They raced through the back door, desperate to escape the nightmare unfolding behind them. The cool night air hit them like a wave, invigorating and terrifying at the same time.

“Where do we go?” Matilda gasped, glancing back at the house, her heart pounding in her chest.

“There’s a garage!” Theo pointed to a structure nearby. “We can hide there!”

They sprinted toward the garage, adrenaline coursing through their veins. Matilda’s mind raced with the fear of losing everything again, but Theo’s presence anchored her. As they reached the garage, Theo fumbled with the door, pushing it open just as footsteps thundered behind them.

“Quick!” he urged, pulling Matilda inside. They slipped into the shadows, hearts pounding as they listened to the chaos outside.

Matilda’s breath hitched as she pressed against the cold metal of the wall, fear gnawing at her insides. “What if they find us?”

“They won’t,” Theo said, his voice low and steady. “We just need to stay quiet.”

The sounds of shouting echoed outside, and Matilda felt her stomach twist with anxiety. She was putting Theo in danger—he didn’t deserve this.

As the shouting grew louder, Matilda caught a glimpse of a figure moving toward the garage. Panic surged through her. “Someone’s coming!”

Theo quickly scanned the room, looking for an escape route. “We need to hide!”

They darted behind a pile of old boxes, holding their breath as the door creaked open. The light from the outside spilled into the garage, and Matilda’s heart raced as she struggled to remain silent.

A shadowy figure stepped inside, scanning the room. Matilda’s pulse quickened as the man’s eyes roamed the space, and she clenched Theo’s hand tightly, praying he wouldn’t discover them.

“I know you’re in here,” the man called out, his voice low and menacing. “There’s no point in hiding.”

Matilda’s breath caught in her throat. She recognized his voice—it was the same man from her past, the one who had come to claim what she owed.

“Matilda,” he taunted, a cruel smile spreading across his face. “You can’t run from your fate.”

Just as Matilda’s mind reeled from the shock, she felt Theo’s grip tighten around her hand. He was ready to fight back, ready to protect her at all costs. The determination in his eyes gave her strength.

In that moment, she realized something crucial: she couldn’t run anymore. This was her chance to confront the darkness that had haunted her for so long.

“Get ready,” she whispered to Theo, her voice steady. “We’re not going to let him take us without a fight.”

With renewed resolve, Matilda prepared herself to face her past, ready to confront the demons that had threatened to engulf her life. The fight was no longer just about survival; it was about reclaiming her freedom and ensuring the safety of those she had come to care about.

As the figure continued to search, Matilda felt a fire ignite within her. This was her moment. She wouldn’t let fear dictate her fate any longer.

“Now!” Theo shouted suddenly, and in one swift motion, they lunged from their hiding spot.