Chapter 4
1331 Words
__
Annie sat on the edge of her bed, staring blankly at the suitcase. The events of the night haunted her, each memory sharper than the last: the blood pooling around Dr. Albert, the man’s cold expression, his warning. She rubbed her temples, her fingers trembling. Every logical instinct screamed for her to call the police, but she couldn’t. Not with Catherina’s threats hanging over her head.
She looked at the clock. 3:07 AM.
Her mother was asleep in the next room, blissfully unaware of the chaos her daughter was caught in. Mirabel had spent the evening boasting on the phone about Annie’s "prestigious scholarship" to a European university. Annie wanted to scream every time she overheard a word.
How do I even survive this?
The only option left was to go along with the plan—for now. But deep down, Annie knew she couldn’t let Catherina win.
---
The airport was bustling with activity. Annie clutched her boarding pass, her hands clammy. The noise around her—the announcements, the chatter, the clicking heels of business travelers—faded into a dull hum as she walked toward the gate.
“Are you excited?” Mirabel asked, beaming.
Annie forced a tight smile. “Yeah. It’s... a great opportunity.”
Her mother kissed her on the forehead. “You’ll make me so proud, sweetheart. Your hard work is paying off. Just focus on your studies, okay?”
If only you knew the truth, Annie thought, biting the inside of her cheek.
As she passed through security, her chest tightened. Every step felt like she was walking deeper into a trap. She glanced back one last time, catching her mother waving enthusiastically. Annie waved back, tears burning her eyes, before turning away.
---
Meanwhile back at Catherina's, in the plush penthouse apartment overlooking Central Park, Catherina reclined on a chaise lounge, sipping herbal tea. The soft glow of the city lights reflected in her diamond earrings as she waited for Henry to come home.
When the elevator pinged, she straightened, smoothing a hand over her stomach—her “Little baby bump.”
Henry walked in, tall and commanding, his tailored suit perfectly pressed. His salt-and-pepper hair was impeccably styled, his presence exuding the quiet confidence of a man who owned half the city.
“Catherina,” he greeted, leaning down to kiss her cheek. “You look radiant.”
She smiled coyly, resting a hand on her stomach. “Thank you, darling. How was your day?”
“Productive. The board finally approved the merger.” He loosened his tie, pouring himself a glass of bourbon. “And how’s our little one?”
Catherina’s smile tightened. “Perfect. Just perfect. The doctor says everything is progressing wonderfully.”
Henry’s face softened. “That’s good to hear. I can’t wait to meet him—or her. You know my grandfather will be thrilled to finally have an heir.”
Catherina nodded, her grip on her tea cup tightening. She had no choice but to keep up the charade. Everything depended on this.
---
Annie’s arrival in Europe was a blur. The “scholarship” Catherina had arranged turned out to be a small, dingy apartment in a quiet neighborhood outside of Vienna. It was far from the grandeur her mother imagined.
She sat on the lumpy bed, staring at the peeling wallpaper. Her suitcase sat in the corner, unopened. A stack of euros had been left on the table with a note:
For expenses. Don’t contact anyone you know. Remember our agreement.
Catherina’s name wasn’t signed, but Annie didn’t need to see it to know who the message was from.
---
Back in New York
Catherina’s deception was meticulous. She attended prenatal yoga classes, hired a private chef to prepare “pregnancy-safe meals,” and even complained about cravings and back pain to Henry.
Her plan was flawless: disappear for a short “trip” before the baby was “born,” return with Annie’s child, and cement her position in Henry’s life—and his fortune.
One evening, as they sat down to dinner, Henry looked across the table at her.
“I’ve been thinking,” he said.
Catherina raised an eyebrow. “About?”
“Taking some time off when the baby arrives. I want to be around for everything. First steps, first words. You know how much this means to me.”
Her stomach flipped, but she maintained her composure. “That’s wonderful, darling. I know you’ll be an amazing father.”
He smiled, reaching for her hand. “I just want to make sure you’re not overexerting yourself. The doctor says you’re healthy, but still—”
“Henry, please,” she interrupted with a laugh, masking her panic. “I’m pregnant, not made of glass. Everything is under control.”
For now.
---
Weeks turned into months. Annie did her best to keep to herself, only leaving the apartment for groceries or doctor’s appointments arranged by Catherina’s team. The baby grew inside her, a constant reminder of the impossible situation she was in.
One evening, as she stared at her reflection in the tiny bathroom mirror, she placed a hand on her stomach.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I don’t know how to protect you.”
The phone Catherina had provided buzzed on the counter, startling her. She picked it up reluctantly.
“You’ve been quiet,” Catherina’s icy voice said.
“What do you want?” Annie replied, her tone exhausted.
“To check on my investment,” Catherina said smoothly. “I trust everything is going as planned?”
“I’m eating. I’m sleeping. The baby’s fine,” Annie said flatly.
“Good. Keep it that way,” Catherina said. “And remember, Annie, I can still ruin you if you try anything stupid.”
The line went dead. Annie hurled the phone across the room, her frustration boiling over.
---
But cracks were beginning to form in Catherina’s perfect plan. Henry’s insistence on being more involved made her nervous. He started attending doctor’s appointments with her, asking questions she couldn’t answer.
One afternoon, as they left the clinic, he stopped her.
“Why didn’t Dr. Albert see us today?” he asked, frowning.
Catherina smiled tightly. “Oh,he was busy with another patient. The new doctor is perfectly capable.” she said trying to hide the fact that Dr.Albert was hurt.
Henry didn’t look convinced, but he let it go.
For now.
---
Back in Vienna, Annie ventured out one snowy evening, desperate for fresh air. She wandered through a park, the cold biting her cheeks and she heard her phone ring.
“Annie?” a voice said.
She froze, scared to hear a familiar voice. It was Dr. Albert.
“What—how—” she stammered.
“I had to find a means to call you,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper “You’re not safe.”
“I know that already,” she snapped. “Catherina’s ruined my life. Why did you call?”
“Trying to make things right,” he said urgently. “Catherina is more dangerous than you ever thought. She doesn’t just want your baby—she’s covering up things you can’t imagine. If you don’t stop her, she’ll destroy you.”
“I’ve tried!” Annie cried, tears streaming down her face. “But she’s too powerful. I can’t fight her.”
“You can,” he said firmly. “But you have to trust me.”
---
That night, as Annie lay awake, Dr. Albert’s words echoed in her mind. For the first time in months, a flicker of hope stirred within her.
She placed a hand on her stomach, her resolve hardening.
For both of us, she thought. I have to fight back.
The next chapter in her life wouldn’t be about survival—it would be about taking control. And she would make Catherina regret underestimating her.
- Writer
