CHAPTER 6

The morning sun spilled over the quiet streets of Serene City, casting a soft golden glow that felt like a balm to Fiona’s frayed nerves. It was her third week in this new town, a world away from the suffocating glitz and glamour of Bay City. Here, life moved at a slower, more forgiving pace—a stark contrast to the relentless demands of Darwin Solomon’s shadow. Yet, even in the peace, her heart remained heavy, her mind restless.

Fiona sat at the small breakfast table in her rented apartment, absentmindedly stirring a cup of tea. The baby inside her had become her only companion, a tiny spark of life that gave her the strength to keep moving forward. But the reality of her situation was beginning to sink in. She was alone, with no job, no stable income, and enemies lurking in the shadows.

Thalassa had offered to help her financially, but Fiona had refused. She didn’t want to be anyone’s charity case—not even her best friend’s. For years, she’d lived as someone else’s pawn, dancing to Darwin’s tune and suppressing her own desires. Now, she was determined to reclaim her agency, no matter how difficult the road ahead might be.

But the road wasn’t just difficult—it was dangerous.

A sharp knock on the door startled Fiona, snapping her out of her thoughts. She froze, her heart pounding. It was too early for Thalassa to visit, and she hadn’t given anyone her new address.

Her pulse quickened as she approached the door, her hand trembling as she turned the knob.

Standing on the threshold was a courier, a young man with a friendly smile. “Ms. Fiona Woods?”

“Yes,” she replied cautiously.

“I have a package for you. Please sign here.”

Fiona hesitated before taking the pen. She hadn’t ordered anything, and the last thing she needed was to draw attention to herself. Still, the courier didn’t seem threatening. She signed her name and accepted the small box, her fingers brushing against the cold, smooth surface.

“Have a good day,” the courier said before disappearing down the hallway.

Fiona closed the door and set the package on the table, her stomach twisting with unease. The box was unmarked, devoid of any sender information. Carefully, she peeled back the tape and lifted the lid.

Inside was a single sheet of paper folded neatly in half. Fiona unfolded it, her breath catching as she read the words written in bold, sharp strokes:

You can’t hide forever.

Her legs gave out, and she collapsed into the nearest chair, clutching the note with trembling hands. The walls of her apartment seemed to close in around her, the once-comforting silence now oppressive and suffocating.

She knew exactly who had sent the message.

Darwin Solomon.

The realization hit her like a tidal wave. She had underestimated him, foolishly believing that she could simply walk away without consequence. Darwin wasn’t the kind of man who let things go—especially not when it came to control.

Fiona felt a surge of anger rising within her. For years, she had endured his cold indifference, his unrelenting expectations, and his obsession with Lilian. She had given him everything, even parts of herself she didn’t know she had, and it had never been enough. And now, even after leaving, he refused to let her go.

But this time, she wouldn’t back down.

She grabbed her phone and dialed Thalassa’s number. The line rang twice before her best friend’s familiar voice answered.

“Fiona? What’s wrong?” Thalassa’s tone was immediately alert.

“I got a package,” Fiona said, her voice shaking. “A note. It says, ‘You can’t hide forever.’”

There was a pause on the other end of the line, followed by a string of curses. “That bastard. I knew he wouldn’t let you go without a fight.”

“It’s not just him,” Fiona said, her thoughts racing. “I think someone else is involved. Darwin doesn’t usually operate like this. He confronts people directly—he doesn’t send cryptic notes. What if it’s William?”

Thalassa sighed heavily. “It could be either of them. Or both. They’re sharks, Fiona, and they smell blood in the water.”

Fiona’s grip on the phone tightened. “I’m not going to let them intimidate me. I’ve come too far to turn back now.”

“That’s the spirit,” Thalassa said. “But you need to be smart about this. No more taking risks. I’ll come over later, and we’ll figure out a plan.”

“Okay,” Fiona said, her resolve hardening. “Thanks, Thalassa.”

“Anytime. Stay safe, okay?”

Fiona ended the call and set the phone down, her mind whirling with possibilities. If Darwin and William were working together, it meant she was in more danger than she’d realized. But why? What did they stand to gain from chasing her down?

She glanced at the clock. It was still early, but she couldn’t sit around waiting for answers to come to her. She needed to take action.

Pulling on a coat, she grabbed her keys and stepped outside, the crisp morning air stinging her cheeks. She made her way to the local library, a small but cozy building nestled between rows of quaint shops. If she was going to fight back, she needed information—and the library’s public records were a good place to start.

Fiona spent hours poring over newspapers and business reports, searching for any mention of the Atlas Group or R&K Electronics. The deeper she dug, the more she began to see a pattern. William Newton’s grudge against Darwin wasn’t just personal—it was professional. The two companies had been rivals for years, their competition escalating into a series of high-stakes deals and backhanded maneuvers.

But there was something else, something buried beneath the surface. Fiona found an old article detailing a merger proposal between the two companies that had fallen apart at the last minute. The reason? A leaked scandal involving Darwin’s personal life.

Her stomach churned as she read the details. The scandal had revolved around Lilian, the woman Darwin had loved and lost. According to the article, Lilian had been involved with William before leaving him for another man. The fallout had been explosive, leaving both companies reeling.

It all made sense now. William’s vendetta against Darwin wasn’t just about business—it was about revenge.

Fiona leaned back in her chair, her mind racing. If William was willing to go to such lengths to destroy Darwin, what would he do to her? And what role did Bella play in all of this?

She was so lost in thought that she didn’t notice the figure watching her from across the library until it was too late.

A shadow fell over her table, and Fiona looked up, her heart skipping a beat.

It was Darwin.

“Hello, Fiona,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “Did you really think you could hide from me?”