CHAPTER 14

Chapter 14: Echoes in the Dark

The night felt heavier, each shadow cast by the dim streetlights seeming to pulse with unseen threats. Fiona watched Darwin examine her phone, his jaw set and his eyes cold with focus. The device in his hand beeped, the sound cutting through the stillness of the deserted parking lot like a blade.

“There,” Darwin said, holding up the phone. “A tracking software embedded in your GPS.”

Fiona’s heart sank. “How did they even manage that? I’ve been careful.”

“Not careful enough,” Darwin replied, his tone sharper than he intended. He sighed and softened. “It’s not your fault. They’ve probably been watching you for months, planting this the moment they saw an opportunity.”

The thought sent a chill through her. William Newton’s reach seemed limitless, and the idea that he had been surveilling her so intimately left her feeling exposed. She wrapped her arms around herself, seeking comfort where there was none.

Darwin took a moment to disable the tracking software. “This will stop them for now, but we’ll need a new phone. One they haven’t tampered with.”

He tossed her phone into the glove compartment and started the car again. “We’re heading to a safe house. I have one on the outskirts of the city. It’s remote and secure.”

Fiona didn’t argue. She didn’t have the energy to. All she could think about was the child growing inside her, the life she was trying so desperately to protect.

---

The safe house was nothing like Fiona expected. Hidden deep within a wooded area on the edge of Bay City, it was a sleek, modern structure surrounded by high walls and state-of-the-art security. The house seemed more fortress than home, its sharp lines and minimalistic design exuding a cold efficiency that mirrored Darwin’s personality.

“This is where we’ll stay for now,” Darwin said as they stepped inside.

The interior was just as stark as the exterior—bare walls, dark furniture, and an air of calculated functionality. It felt lifeless, but Fiona couldn’t deny the sense of safety it offered.

“Do you live here?” she asked, her voice echoing slightly in the spacious living room.

“No,” Darwin replied. “This is just one of several properties I maintain for emergencies.”

Fiona couldn’t help but wonder how many other women had been brought here under similar circumstances. The thought left a bitter taste in her mouth, but she quickly pushed it aside. Now wasn’t the time for jealousy or old wounds.

Darwin walked to a control panel on the wall and activated the security system. Cameras flickered to life on the screen, displaying every angle of the property.

“We’re completely off the grid here,” he said, turning to face her. “No one gets in without my permission. You’ll be safe.”

Fiona nodded, though the knot in her stomach remained. “And what about William? He’s not going to stop, is he?”

“No,” Darwin admitted, his voice grim. “But he made a mistake tonight. He showed his hand too early, and now we know what we’re up against.”

“Do we?” Fiona asked, crossing her arms. “William isn’t just some corporate rival, Darwin. He’s dangerous. He’s willing to hurt innocent people to get what he wants. How do we fight someone like that?”

Darwin’s eyes darkened. “We hit him where it hurts. We take away his leverage, expose his schemes, and make him regret ever coming after us.”

The determination in his voice was reassuring, but Fiona couldn’t ignore the nagging doubt in her mind. William wasn’t the kind of man who played fair, and she wasn’t sure Darwin fully understood the lengths he was willing to go.

---

Later that night, Fiona sat alone in the living room, the weight of the day pressing heavily on her. The silence was almost oppressive, broken only by the occasional hum of the security system.

Her thoughts drifted to the baby, to the life she was fighting to protect. She placed a hand on her stomach, a small smile tugging at her lips despite everything.

“We’re going to get through this,” she whispered. “I promise.”

A soft knock at the door startled her. She turned to see Darwin standing in the doorway, his expression unreadable.

“You should get some rest,” he said.

“I will,” Fiona replied. “But I can’t sleep yet. There’s too much on my mind.”

Darwin stepped into the room, his presence filling the space. He sat down across from her, his gaze intense.

“You’ve been through a lot,” he said, his voice softer than usual. “I know this isn’t easy, but you’re stronger than you think.”

Fiona met his gaze, her heart aching at the vulnerability she saw there. For all his strength and control, Darwin was just as human as she was, burdened by his own fears and regrets.

“I don’t feel strong,” she admitted. “I feel scared and tired and... helpless.”

“You’re not helpless,” Darwin said firmly. “You walked away from me, from everything, to protect yourself and your child. That takes courage. And now, you’re standing up to William, even when it feels impossible. That’s strength.”

Fiona’s eyes welled with tears, but she blinked them away. “What if it’s not enough? What if we can’t stop him?”

Darwin reached out, his hand covering hers. The gesture was surprisingly tender, and it sent a warmth through her that she hadn’t felt in a long time.

“We will,” he said, his voice steady. “Because we have to. For you, for the baby—for everything that matters.”

Fiona nodded, her resolve strengthening. She didn’t know what the future held, but for the first time in a long time, she felt like she wasn’t facing it alone.

---

In the early hours of the morning, Darwin stood by the window, staring out at the dense woods that surrounded the safe house. His mind raced with plans and contingencies, but no matter how many scenarios he ran through, one fact remained clear: William wasn’t going to stop until he got what he wanted.

And what he wanted was to destroy everything Darwin had built.

Darwin’s grip tightened on the edge of the window frame. He had spent years cultivating his empire, clawing his way to the top of a world that thrived on power and deceit. He wasn’t about to let William take it all away.

But this wasn’t just about him anymore. Fiona and the baby were now part of the equation, and their safety had become his top priority.

As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, Darwin made a silent vow.

He would protect Fiona at all costs.

No matter what it took, he would ensure that William Newton paid for every threat, every betrayal, and every moment of fear he had caused.

Because this time, it wasn’t just business.

This time, it was personal.