It was late as I checked out of my office.

The office building loomed behind me in darkness, only a few workers still stayed back. I was exhausted, drained from the forced smiles and congratulations thrown my way for signing a huge deal.

The parking lot was empty, my heels echoing eerily.

I slid into my car, tossed my bag into the passenger seat, and cranked the ignition. The engine purred to life. I reversed smoothly and turned onto the main road.

Blues played softly to soothe my nerves, a melancholic soundtrack to my solitude.

But something was off.

I looked in my rearview mirror. A car trailed me, its headlights too close, too persistent. I took a detour, but it followed.

I changed lanes, but it mirrored my movements.

I pressed the accelerator, trying to lose them, but the steering wheel jerked violently. My foot pumped the brake pedal to stop the car, but to my horror… it sank to the floor, unresponsive.

“No, no, no,” I pressed again, harder. Still nothing.

Panic seized me, and my eyes widened. “What the hell?” I gasped, my heart thundering loudly in my chest.

I saw the car gaining on me.

In fear, my foot slammed the pedal, speeding away from them. But then, a deer jumped into the road.

“Oh God!” I screamed and swerved.

I yanked the wheel, veering off the road, crashing into a thick patch of bush. Branches slapped against the sides of my car violently. A rough jolt had my car colliding with a tree.

“No…!"

My head whipped forward and struck the steering wheel, pain exploding behind my eyes.

Glass shattered. The air reeked of smoke and blood. The radio crackled with an unclear whoosh of signal.

Dazed, I pushed the door open and stumbled out into the night, falling to the ground as I tried to catch my breath. I dug my phone out of my pocket—it was dead.

The road was pitch black. Not a single soul in sight.

My hand came up to my head. Warm liquid.

Blood.

The horror made me bend over and puke, I was shaking and disoriented.

I crawled and struggled to stand, staggering onto the roadside, my legs wobbly. “Help!” I called out, voice raw. “Is anybody out there?” I cried in pain.

But then, I saw movement from behind me.

The car from earlier stopped, and two men emerged from the darkness. A knife glinted in the hand of one.

“Hey! Over here, please, I need help…” My voice faltered as they started rushing toward me.

But I froze when I saw the object in hand… a knife.

They weren’t rushing to assist. The intention in their eyes was clear.

One pulled out something shiny—a metal object glinting under the moonlight.

This wasn’t help. This was danger.

My stomach dropped.

“Stay away from me!” I shouted, picking myself up feebly. I began running.

They ran after me.

“No… please… HELP!” I screamed, my voice piercing the silence.

My heart thundered in my ears, blood dripping down my face, and tears streaming.

My legs were giving out as I used my last strength to run, my breaths came out in broken sobs.

Today was the day I was going to die.

“Somebody help me!” I cried again, desperately, the world spinning around me.

And then… headlights.

A sleek, black car screeched to a stop in front of me, kicking up dirt and gravel.

The door flung open. A tall male silhouette sat in the driver’s seat.

“Get in,” the stranger commanded.

I froze as the two men behind me shouted something I couldn’t hear.

They were running too fast now.

I hesitated. But the footsteps behind me were closing in.

Without another thought, I dove into the passenger seat, slamming the door shut behind me.

The car peeled off, the tires squealing as it launched back onto the road.

I gripped the door with white knuckles, panting, blood still seeping from my temple.

My eyes darted to the driver. He looked too calm. Composed. And… familiar?.

His knuckles were tight on the wheel, intensely focused as he sped away.

Not until we were miles away, the shadows of the forest long behind us, did the driver slowly glance at me, his face partially obscured by the darkness.

His voice was low.

“Finally, I found you.”

My eyes flew open. I sat up, my heart thudding in my ribcage.

He was there—sitting, staring at me, his face dark as a storm.

“Who are you?” I asked, breathless, scrambling away from him.

He said nothing, only stood up and poured himself a glass of brandy. This stranger was cold, brooding, and silent.

“Thank you for saving me,” I said, but I got no reply. “Are you going to kill me?”

He was still silent. Instead, he picked up a remote and turned on the TV.

I gasped.

Zane, Sasha, and Melissa appeared on screen.

Zane roared and smashed his glass against the wall. “I told you to scare her—not kill her!”

What?

Zane knew…? He was behind my attack?

Tears burned my eyes. My heart broke in pieces.

“But she slapped me,” Sasha said softly.

“You had no right!” Zane shouted. “All I wanted was her money. Do you know how I stayed married to her for five years and milked her for money? For you.”

“Zane, listen—”

“No! Enough!” he yelled at Sasha, and she flinched.

“At least she’s alive,” Melissa said.

“We’ll find her, go on with the plan, then get the money…”

“This ends now,” Zane said.

“Zane, what’s wrong with you?” Sasha snapped. “This was our plan—why are you defending that spoiled brat…?”

“She’s still my wife. I care about her,” he protested. “I’m going to find her.”

Zane was about to storm out when Sasha suddenly cried out, clutching her stomach.

“Oh my God, Sasha!” Melissa rushed to her side.

“I’m in pain. Zane, baby, take me to the hospital,” she whimpered, and Zane panicked.

“Are you okay?”

“You’re yelling at me when I was just harassed days ago. And I think it’s that time of the month… You don’t know how terrible I feel,” she sniffled, eyes glistening.

“Apologize, take her to the hospital, and stop blaming us,” Melissa barked. “If it had worked out and we all got the money, you wouldn’t feel sorry for your dumb, stupid wife!”

Zane sighed, kissed Sasha, then scooped her into his arms and stormed out. Melissa lingered, chuckling to herself before walking out.

The stranger turned off the TV.

I bowed my head and wept at the betrayal. I didn’t know how long I cried, but he let me.

Eventually, he spoke. “I’m sorry I came in late. Imagine if I hadn’t.” His voice was low, jaw ticking with anger and controlled fury.

“You’ve suffered so long… I thought you loved him. But he’s a fool.”

“I did love him.” I wiped my tears.

“I know,” he said quietly, kneeling beside me. His hand gently cupped my cheek. “Don’t cry. You’re too pretty to cry.”

He wiped my face, then kissed my knuckles—warm and gentle.

My heart melted.

“My nanny changed your clothes. You passed out in my car,” he added with a small smile.

“Thank you.” I smiled sadly.

“You’re welcome.”

“Elenora,” he said, “Zane doesn’t love you. Come with me. I’ll take you away. Give you a better life.”

I shook my head. My heart still ached at the mention of his name. “How do you know me?” I whispered.

“I’ve always known you, sweetie.” His smile deepened.

“My jet leaves tomorrow. Let me give you a new home. Just say yes and come with me.”

I clutched my blanket. I had never felt this safe with my family. “Yes,” I said softly, and he smiled again.

“I have something to show you. You have fresh clothes ready for you,” he said.

Soon, I was bathed and dressed in a clean dress. This stranger held my hand as we descended the stairs. The house was full of stern-looking men who bowed respectfully as we walked by.

“Don’t be scared,” he told me. “They work for me.”

Somehow, I wasn’t afraid. His presence calmed me.

He led me to a hidden door in the library. A basement lay dark below.

I hesitated at the darkness, but he nudged me gently forward. We stopped in a wide, open space and he turned to me.

“I am Don Raffa,” he said, “and I’m back to take what’s rightfully mine.”

My stomach tightened. “What’s that?”

“You.” His voice was formal and cold. Then he smiled—a grin that chilled my bones.

And slowly, he drew a gun.

My heart stopped.

He was going to kill me.

I had trusted him too soon.

I made to back away, my tears threatening to spill. “Please,” I begged as he raised the gun.

But…

He wasn’t aiming at me.

Two shots shattered the silence. I screamed and clung to him in fear.

“I would never hurt you,” he murmured, holding me close and kissing my hair softly.

With a snap of his fingers, the lights blazed on.

Two men hung from ropes—bloody and dead.

My knees buckled, but he held me steady.

“I—I know them,” I whispered, trembling. “They attacked me.”

“They won’t hurt you again,” he said. “No one ever will again.”

“You killed them…” My heart raced.

“For you,” he replied, calm and resolute.

Everything blurred. My head spun. Then a figure appeared behind Raffa and my face lit up.

“Leon?” I gasped.

“Hey,” he said, rushing over and wrapping me in a tight hug.

“I’m so glad you’re okay.” I exhaled, finally at peace.

“This is Leon,” Don Raffa said. “My lawyer and my most trusted man. He’s been watching over you for years. I paid him to protect you.”

Leon nodded, still holding my hand.

“He told me something wasn’t right. That’s when I stepped in.”

I stared at both of them, still surprised.

“From today,” Raffa said, “anyone who hurts you will perish.”

His words echoed with chilling finality.

“But… who are you?” I asked.

He looked me dead in the eye. “I’m your husband, Elenora. Raffaele Bellucci. Nice to meet you.”