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65 | Escape in the Shadows
Last Updated:
2024-12-09 17:45:34
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Lilah’s POV :The village was small, nestled in the lush countryside of southern France. Rolling hills stretched out as far as the eye could see, dotted with vineyards, olive trees, and cottages that seemed untouched by time. It was picturesque, serene—everything we needed after the chaos we’d escaped. But no matter how beautiful it was, I couldn’t shake the heaviness that lingered in my chest.Robert had found the village through a contact of his, someone who knew how to keep secrets. The house he rented for us was small but cozy, with pale stone walls and a thatched roof. It sat at the edge of the village, overlooking a field of sunflowers that swayed gently in the breeze. For most people, this would be paradise. For me, it was a hiding place.Lucy and Robert were already settling in, unloading the few belongings we had from the car. I stood in the doorway, staring out at the quiet street, my hand resting on my stomach. The thought of the life growing inside me still felt surreal, l
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Lilah's POV :The streets seem quieter than usual, but maybe that’s just me. Every step I take feels heavier, as if the weight of someone else’s gaze is pinned to my back. I glance over my shoulder again, my heart skipping a beat, but the sidewalk behind me is empty. Just a woman walking her dog, a cyclist pedaling lazily, and the occasional honk of a car. Normal. Too normal.I pull my coat tighter, the brisk December air biting through the fabric. My doctor said I was fine, perfectly healthy, yet I feel anything but. Maybe it's the lack of sleep or the constant ache in my chest that has nothing to do with my health and everything to do with him—Ivan.He doesn’t want me. Worse, he probably wants me dead. I remind myself of this every time my thoughts drift to the way his voice dipped when he was angry or the rare moments when his icy exterior thawed. Foolish. There’s no going back, no undoing what’s already been done.I shake the thoughts away and focus on the walk home. Robert and Lu
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Lilah's POV :The next morning, the air in the apartment feels heavier, as if the walls themselves are closing in. I barely sleep, tossing and turning until the first rays of dawn seep through the curtains. The note lies on the nightstand, its message burning into my mind.You can’t hide forever.The words feel like a noose around my neck.By the time Robert comes home from the bakery, I’ve managed to convince myself to stay calm. He sets a box of leftover pastries on the counter and eyes me suspiciously.“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” he says, brushing flour from his hands.I force a smile. “Just a rough night.”“Rough how?”“It’s nothing, Robert. Drop it,” I snap, sharper than I intended.He raises an eyebrow but doesn’t push further. Instead, he grabs a cup of coffee and retreats to his room, leaving me alone in the kitchen.Lucy stumbles in later, her shift at the bar clearly taking its toll. She flops onto the couch with a groan, her red hair sticking out in all directions.
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Lilah's POV : Lilah woke up early, the faint sunlight filtering through the thin curtains of their small rented apartment. The quiet hum of village life outside the window felt worlds away from the chaos she’d fled. She shook off the lingering remnants of her restless night, determined to make today productive. She’d been staying here with Robert and Lucy for weeks now, grateful for their support but restless with the feeling of being a burden. Her search for work had been disheartening—every shop and stall in the village market either didn’t need help or couldn’t afford to hire anyone new. But today, she was determined to try again. Pulling on her worn coat and tying her hair back, Lilah grabbed her small purse and slipped out the door, leaving Lucy and Robert to their morning routines. The market was bustling by the time she arrived, the aroma of fresh produce, baked goods, and spices mingling in the crisp morning air. She wandered past the stalls, scanning for any signs of
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Lilah's POV :I wake up to the first slivers of dawn creeping through the curtains. The quiet hum of the village surrounds me, and for a moment, I let the peace of it settle over my restless heart. It’s strange, living somewhere so far removed from the chaos of my past. But no matter how much I try, I can’t seem to leave the shadows behind.I slip out of bed, careful not to wake Lucy or Robert. The last thing I want is another argument about how I shouldn’t be working. They mean well, but I can’t keep relying on them. I need to pull my weight.The walk to the bakery is quiet, the cobblestone streets damp with morning dew. As I step into Linda’s shop, the warmth of freshly baked bread envelops me.“Good morning, Lilah,” Linda greets me with her usual smile, handing me a cup of tea.“Morning,” I reply, already tying on my apron.Linda has been nothing but kind since I started working here. She’s patient when I fumble a recipe, quick to praise when I get something right. I’m learning mor
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Lilah's POV :The next morning dawns cold and gray, the sky heavy with the threat of rain. I stare at the ceiling, trying to ignore the gnawing unease lodged in my chest. The events of last night replay in my mind, each detail sharp and unrelenting.I roll out of bed with a groan, determined not to let my nerves get the better of me. I have work today, and Linda is counting on me.By the time I leave the apartment, the streets are alive with the bustle of village life. The familiar chatter of vendors and the scent of freshly baked bread fill the air, grounding me in the present.Still, as I weave through the market toward Linda’s bakery, I can’t help but glance over my shoulder every few steps.---Work starts as it always does, with Linda greeting me warmly and handing me a cup of tea.“Morning, Lilah,” she says, her voice cheerful despite the gloomy weather.“Morning,” I reply, managing a small smile.We fall into our usual routine, and for a while, the steady rhythm of baking sooth
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Lilah's POV :Two months have passed since I escaped the chaos that was my life, but the memories feel as fresh as if they happened yesterday. Every sound outside my small apartment makes my pulse race, every shadow in the corner of my eye feels like a threat. I tell myself every day that I’m safe, that Ivan Volkov isn’t coming for me. But I can never be sure.I smooth down my loose floral dress, making sure it hides the small bump just beginning to show. My baby bump. My heart flutters at the thought as I look out of the bakery window, waiting for the last customer of the day to finish up.“Thank you, Mrs. Carter,” I say, handing her the neatly wrapped pastries. She’s a sweet older woman who never leaves without reminding me that I look tired or too thin. “You should take care of yourself, dear. That glow doesn’t come naturally, you know!”If only she knew.The moment the door jingles shut, I exhale in relief, pulling my apron over my head. “Thanks for another day, Ms. Bryant,” I cal
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Lilah’s POV :The sound of footsteps outside the bakery makes my heart freeze. It’s late, far too late for customers, and I’m finishing up the last bit of cleaning before heading home. I glance at the clock—9:27 PM.I grip the broom tightly, forcing myself to stay calm. "It’s just someone passing by," I whisper under my breath. But then I hear it again. Slow, deliberate footsteps.I step closer to the window, careful to stay in the shadows. My stomach tightens as I peer out into the dimly lit street. A tall figure stands across the road, their face obscured by a hoodie.A wave of nausea washes over me. It can’t be him. It’s not him.The figure doesn’t move, just stands there, unmoving, as if they’re waiting for something—or someone.The air feels too heavy to breathe. I grab my bag, shutting off the lights. “Ms. Bryant?” I call, my voice trembling.She steps out from the back, looking concerned. “Everything okay, dear?”“There’s… someone outside.” I point toward the window, but when w
Last Updated : 2024-12-14
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Felon- A Dark Mafia Romance 94 | Big Emma
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