Chapter 2

Grace stood on her feet, staggering as she did so. She stared at Adam’s limp body on the floor while blood seeped down from where she had struck him on the head.

Her chest heaved with heavy painful breaths as she panicked. She steadied herself, knowing it wasn't time to panic and she needed to find a way out.

With hesitation, she stepped in his direction, lowering herself to the floor. She inched her fingers under his nose and took a sigh of relief, finding him breathing.

She wished he was dead, though; there's no one in this world, she resented more than this man. Not even her father. But she also knew she couldn't let him die because the consequences would be severe for her.

Olivia, her stepmother would chew her raw.

Her fleeting moment of relief turned into dread when she looked at the wooded leg still sticking on the side of his head.

Adam cannot die, she needs to do something before it's too late.

But even if he lived, she was still as good as dead.

Her stomach churned at the thought of the unthinkable. He would come after her as soon as he woke up; his rage would swallow her whole, and his brutality would see no bounds.

No, she can't let that happen. In both the outcome, she would suffer a more terrible fate than she already was.

Her thoughts were obstructed by a grunt. She stumbled back in fear and looked down at Liam with widened eyes, watching him for any movements with held breath. Even a hard blow like that wasn't enough to take him down completely. He was exuding danger even in his unconscious state which instilled a fear in her. She needed to think quickly.

She racked her mind, thinking of something to get out of this mess. She was running low on time and couldn't afford to wait and be discovered by someone.

There was only one way out: she had to run.

It was the only way she could at least hope to be safe from both outcomes.

With her mind put on the decision, she moved swiftly, trying to create as little noise as possible; her bare feet padded against the cold marble floor.

She kept glancing back at Adam for any movements as she slowly approached the door. She glanced at him one last time before quietly opening the door and peeking into the corridor, which was just as empty as she expected it to be, since it was the most less referred part of the Villa.

Grace wasn't the only one who was terrified of Adam; every staff working in the Villa shared her fear, especially the women whom he liked to prey on.

His sister was the only one he was nice to and she too was wary of him. He brought out fear out of anyone with just one glance.

She needed something to draw the attention of the maids because there was no way she could go and tell them about Adam and leave unscathed.

Her gaze darted towards the glass showpiece, hanging on the wall before her. It was another of her stepmother's overpriced splurges.

An idea struck her mind, and she quietly moved towards the glass decoration and pulled it off the hook it was hanging on to.

It was quite heavy, making her arms ache from the effort it took. She held it with trembling hands and once again looked inside the room where Adam stayed put and at the end of the hallway, which was empty of anyone's presence.

With a deep breath, she hurled the heavy glass decoration with all her might, and it fell on the floor, shattering into uncountable pieces while its sound echoed in the hallway.

The staff in the Conner household was meticulous. Olivia, her stepmother was a clean freak and fussed over even a speck of dust, so the maids never let her eyes fall on anything messy. So, they would be here soon.

Without wasting a breath, she turned around and ran in the other direction of the hallway; the dimly lit corridor cast horrifying shadows on the wall, increasing her already pounding heart.

She kept her steps light, not wanting to draw their attention toward herself; at the end of the hallway, in the corner, there was a narrow staircase that led to a door that opened into the backyard and wasn't used much.

She took two steps at a time, not stalling even a bit.

Just as she reached the last step of the stairs, a hamper filled with clothes was put near the laundry room; she didn't hesitate and grabbed the first article her fingers touched before quietly opening the door.

She looked outside and sighed in relief when she saw it was clear; just then, she heard a scream from the floor above.

A maid had found him.

It was her signal to flee, so she did.

She ran without looking back at the Villa, crossing the backyard and then entering the man-made woods behind it. They were her only chance of escape, knowing she couldn't take the main route.

Thankfully, it was dark enough for anyone to see her, but it also wouldn't be long before her family sent men after her.

Considering, Adam was critically injured and the maids knew he had gone after her and currently she was missing from the house. They would have made the call by now.

She panted but didn't dare stop; even when stones and twigs of tree pressed against her bare feet, she ran, ignoring the pain. The branches of trees scratched at her skin, adding to her pain, but she pushed through the dark brooding woods, the moonlight her only source of light.

Her legs burned in pain with every step she took, but she didn't slow down.

By the time she reached the edge of the woods, her body was burning and she felt like collapsing.

Grace fell to her knees, gasping for air as her lungs felt like they were on fire. Her torn clothes stuck to her body because of sweat, her head was throbbing in pain and dried blood painted the side of her face.

She wiped under her eyes, smearing dirt across her face, accidentally.

Her father's men must have already started searching for her, she couldn't stop now. She needed to hitch a ride to the city where she could use the little savings she had to either hide or flee the country.

That was her only chance.

As she contemplated her options, she caught sight of a car in the distance with its taillights on.

She stood up and took a few steps forward to get a clear view; two people were standing outside having a conversation.

She furrowed her brows in thought, she could ask them for a ride. The most they could do was deny her.

Considering her situation, she wasn't left with many options anyway, so she decided to take her chances.

Her legs wobbled as she made her way to them, with the little strength she had left.

When she was close enough their voices reached her ears.

"You think it's easy?" The man said, his voice laced with irritation. "It's impossible to deal with him. Which woman in her right mind would be ready to marry him?"

"I know he has a terrible personality, but he is a good man, and why can't these women think of the benefits they would have as his wife?" She said with a pout.

"Why is your Grandpa suddenly so bent on getting him married?" the man asked, annoyed. "No one will be willing enough to marry him anyway."

"I will."