Chapter 5
My eyes fluttered open, the sterile white ceiling above me spinning into focus. The sharp scent of disinfectant filled the air, making my stomach churn. A dull ache throbbed through my body, and as I shifted slightly, pain lanced up my side.
My hands shot to my stomach. The babies.
Relief flooded through me as I felt the faintest flutter beneath my palm. They were still there. Safe. My breath hitched as tears welled in my eyes, gratitude mingling with fear.
Bruises and cuts marred my arms, and a dull throb pounded in my head. I tried to sit up, grimacing as every movement sent sharp jolts of pain through my ribs. My gaze darted
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around the room–a VIP suite, too pristine, too luxurious for someone like me.
Panic prickled at the edges of my mind. How did I end up here?
I fumbled for my phone on the nightstand, my heart sinking as I saw the screen lit with dozens of missed calls and texts. All from
. Zack.
My hands trembled as I scrolled through the
messages.
Do you really think you can hide from me? As atlong as you exist, I’ll find you.
You changed your number. Clever, Harriet. But it doesn’t matter. I know where you are.
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m coming to get my child, Harriet. You‘ 11 regret running from me. That’s my heir.
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A cold sweat broke out across my skin. My fingers clenched around the phone as dread clawed at my throat. He‘ d tracked me down. Of course, he had. With his money and influence, there was nowhere he couldn’t reach.
Purchases. The thought hit me like a slap. He must have traced my transactions, piecing together my location. My hands shook as Zack‘ s words echoed in my mind: “That’s my heir.”
I closed my eyes, nausea rolling through me. This wasn’t just about control. Zack needed these babies–his heir. It was the key to
securing his inheritance from his
grandfather, the one thing Stella could never give him.
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And he would stop at nothing to take them.
“No,” I whispered, my voice hoarse but resolute. “I won‘ t let him.”
I swung my legs over the side of the bed, wincing as pain shot through me. Grabbing my bag, I stuffed the few items I had inside. Every second I stayed here was a risk. Zack would find me, and once he did, he’d never let me go.
I staggered out of the room, my heart hammering in my chest. The hospital halls were quiet, the fluorescent lights casting a cold glow over the pristine floors. My every step felt too loud, too conspicuous.
Then I saw them.
Two men in dark suits, standing at the far end of the hallway. Their eyes scanned the area,
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and when one of them turned in my direction, my stomach twisted.
Zack‘ s men? He found me already? This is
insane!
I turned away, my pace quickening as I headed for the nearest exit. I could feel their
eyes on me, the weight of their attention
making my skin crawl.
“Hey, you!” one of them called out.
I broke into a run.
Pain exploded in my side with every step, but I didn’t stop. My breath came in ragged gasps as I darted through the corridors, ignoring the startled nurses and patients I passed.
Footsteps thundered behind me, closer with
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every second. My heart raced, fear coursing through my veins.
I burst out of the hospital doors into the chilly evening air, the world a blur of lights and shadows. The sound of their pursuit didn’t stop.
I pushed harder, my legs burning as I wove through the crowd. People yelled in protest as I jostled past them, but I didn’t look back.
A flash of movement to my right made me stumble, and before I could react, I collided with something solid.
Strong arms caught me, steadying me as I tried to push away.
“Miss Harriet,” a deep voice said, calm but firm. “I’m sorry, but you need to come with
us.”