TITLE:RUNAWAY BRIDE

Chapter 12: AFTERMATH

4am. Police everywhere.

Daniel was in handcuffs. Still screaming my name as they dragged him out.

"She’s my fiancée! That contract isn’t real!"

Alex stood beside me the whole time. Stone face. Arms crossed.

But his shoulder kept brushing mine. Like he was making sure I was still there.

The lead detective turned to us. "Mrs. Smith, we’ll need a statement."

Alex answered before I could. "She’s in shock. Statement in the morning."

"Mr. Smith—"

"Tomorrow," Alex said. Final.

The police left. The house went quiet again.

I was sitting on the couch in Alex’s hoodie. It was huge on me. Smelled like him.

Alex was pacing. Running a hand through his hair.

"You should sleep," he said without looking at me.

"I can’t," I whispered. "He said my name like... like he still owns me."

Alex stopped pacing.

He came and sat on the coffee table in front of me. Knees almost touching mine.

"He doesn’t," Alex said. Low. "You’re mine now. On paper. In my house. Under my protection."

"Is that all I am to you? Protection?"

Alex’s jaw ticked. He looked away. "It’s what we agreed to."

"Then why did you hug me?" The words came out before I could stop them.

Silence.

Alex stood up fast. "Because you were scared. It meant nothing."

He walked to the stairs.

Paused.

"Goodnight, Lily."

But when I went to my room, there was a glass of water and my meds on the nightstand.

And the two guards outside my door had been doubled.

He said it meant nothing.

So why did it feel like everything?