Chapter 10 Racing
801 Words
I covered my mouth, trembling with shock, gripping the stack of cash in my hands as my mind raced.
I was a week away from my due date. The doctor had strictly warned me not to exert myself.
But if I stayed here, my baby would be sold.
And I might never escape.
There was no time to think—I had to leave. Now.
I didn't even bother packing. I grabbed all the cash I had and turned towards the door.
Just as I reached for the handle, Tobias appeared in the doorway.
His usually warm, fatherly expression was gone, replaced with something sinister and ugly.
My stomach churned with nausea.
He smiled. "Where are you going, Maria? Why are you out of breath? Were you just upstairs?"
Had he heard my footsteps?
The thought alone sent terror pulsing through my veins.
I forced myself to breathe evenly, keeping my face calm as I met his eyes and smiled. "What? Upstairs? Of course not. My belly's too big now. Even walking a few steps tires me out. Going upstairs would be way too much."
Tobias seemed to consider my words, studying me closely. Then, as if deciding I was telling the truth, he stepped forward and grabbed both of my hands. "You're right," he murmured. "You should be resting more."
He had done this before—held my hands during work, always under the pretense of kindness.
But now, after overhearing his conversation, I knew the truth. He wasn't being kind. He was testing the waters, getting comfortable—because once my child was born, he intended to take everything.
Disgust churned in my stomach.
I forced a smile and pulled my hands away. "You're right. I should go rest."
I turned back towards my room.
Just as I was about to close the door, his hand caught the frame.
My heart skipped a beat.
Tobias leaned in. "No need to lock the door, right?"
I plastered on a sheepish smile. "I was planning to take a bath. I only have a few days left before delivery—I just wanted to enjoy one last long soak."
The last two words seemed to soothe him.
His expression softened, and he nodded with a chuckle.
"That makes sense. Enjoy."
The moment the door shut, my knees buckled.
I couldn't stay here any longer. I could already feel the faint pains in my belly—early contractions, no doubt.
Babies could arrive anytime within a week before or after the due date.
I couldn't risk giving birth here. I wouldn't.
Grabbing my phone, I scrolled through my contacts. I had no one to call. No one... except him.
My chest ached as I remembered the engagement announcement.
Even after only two nights, I had liked him more than I realized.
But this wasn't about my feelings. This was about our child. Even if we had no future, I had to protect our baby.
I swallowed my pride and sent a message.
Maria: Please help me. Help my child. I'm in Inferno State. I need to escape—please, I'm begging you!
I added my location at the end. But I didn't wait for a reply.
I knew better than to sit still. The only person I could rely on right now was myself.
I stuffed the cash into my bag and grabbed a thick coat from the closet. Then, I quietly unlocked the window.
Luckily, this was just the restaurant's storage room—I could climb out. If I weren't pregnant, it would've been easy. Now, I had to be careful.
When I landed, a sharp pain shot through my abdomen. I gasped, cradling my belly. Please, baby, just hang in there a little longer.
If I could just get away, we'd be safe.
I stumbled through the back courtyard, avoiding the main entrance. Tobias had sharp ears—if he heard an engine start, he'd come running.
I slipped into the neighbor's yard. The old woman next door had a habit of leaving her car keys in the ignition.
Tonight was no exception.
But my luck ran out the second I started the engine.
Behind me, Tobias' furious roar rang out, "You b***h! You're trying to leave me?!"
His voice was unrecognizable—nothing like the kind man I once knew. I slammed my foot on the gas.
I had never driven before, aside from passing my license test.
But none of that mattered. I had no choice. The car jerked forward, careening onto the road.
In my rearview mirror, I saw Tobias' truck screech onto the pavement. His headlights glared like a predator's eyes, and his horn blared wildly.
He was chasing me.
A bolt of terror shot through me. If I stopped... if he caught me... I was dead.
- Writer
