2

Reyna stood frozen at the top of the stairs, Nicholas’s chilling words echoing in her mind. He wanted to silence her, and protect his reputation at any cost. She knew then that she could no longer stay under this roof—it had become a den of lies and danger.

Steeling her nerves, she retreated into the bedroom and closed the door firmly behind her. Her suitcase lay open on the bed, where she had hastily packed her most essential belongings. Glancing around the lavish room that had once felt like a sanctuary but now only brought pain, she said a silent goodbye to the remnants of her old life.

She slipped on a long coat to disguise her belongings and paused at the bedroom doorway, straining her ears for any noises downstairs. Hearing only muted voices from the parlor, she took a deep breath and crept towards the stairs.

Heart pounding, she descended one careful step at a time, gripping the banister so tightly her knuckles turned white. At the bottom landing, she peered into the parlor and spied Nicholas and Olivia sitting close on the couch, apparently celebrating her “news” over a bottle of wine. Their attentiveness was focused solely on each other.

Taking advantage of the distraction, Reyna slipped past the open parlor doorway unseen and made a beeline for the kitchen exit. With shaking hands, she unbolted the door and slipped out into the cool night air, sucking in deep lungfuls to calm her frayed nerves.

She had escaped the immediate danger, but where could she go now? Her friends and family were scattered across the city and countryside—Nicholas would be sure to monitor them. And she had no money or resources of her own after relying on his wealth for so long.

As she paused in indecision in the shadow of the townhouse, a pair of headlights illuminated the front of the property. A taxi had pulled up, presumably called by one of the house staff. Seeing her opportunity, Reyna flagged it down with frantic waves.

“Drive, please, as far from here as you can take me,” she begged the driver as she climbed inside and slammed the door shut. He eyed her warily but nodded, putting the cab in gear and pulling away from the curb.

Reyna slumped back against the seat, releasing the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. The adrenaline began to fade, leaving her wrung out and shaking. But she dared not relax completely—she had to get as much distance as possible between herself and Nicholas’s reaching grasp.

As they drove through the city streets, Reyna gazed out the window, lost in thought. Where could she hide where Nicholas would never find her? Then an idea struck—the remote countryside where she’d grown up, a small village Nicholas had never visited. It was a good distance from the city and she still had distant relatives living there whom she trusted.

Leaning forward, she told the driver to head for her hometown. It was a long journey but her only real option. As the city lights faded behind them and darkness enveloped the countryside roads, Reyna allowed herself to doze fitfully, exhausted from the trauma of the evening.

She awoke with a start as the cab came to a stop hours later on the edge of a village green. Paying the driver extra for the long trip, she climbed out on unsteady legs, clutching her suitcase. The familiar sight of the old church and rows of cottages brought her some small comfort even in the dead of night.

Reyna made her way through silent streets to a small farmhouse on the outskirts, hoping against hope that her elderly Aunt Mildred still lived there. Rapping softly on the door, she prayed for a response, shivering in the chill night air.

After several agonizing moments, a faint light appeared behind curtained windows and a querulous voice called, “Who is it? It’s the middle of the night, I’ll have you know.”

“Aunt Mildred, it’s me, Reyna,” she called out through chattering teeth. “Please, I need your help.” 

She heard shuffling from inside and several locks disengaging before the sturdy oak door creaked open. Her elderly aunt peered out, enveloped in a woolly dressing gown. “Reyna? Good heavens child, what on earth are you doing here at this hour?”

Without waiting for a reply, Aunt Mildred ushered her inside the warm farmhouse. “You’re as white as a sheet! Come in and warm up by the fire.”

Reyna followed numbly, the trauma of the evening catching up to her now that she was safe. As Aunt Mildred bustled about making tea, Reyna recounted the harrowing events that drove her from Nicholas’s home with a suitcase and little else. 

Her aunt’s face grew dark with rage when Reyna showed her the bruise forming on her cheek. “That no good snake! I knew he was trouble. You’ll stay here where he can’t hurt you anymore.”

With a hot mug between her hands, Reyna thawed enough to ask her burning question. “Will he come looking for me here? I’m afraid of what he might do if he finds me.”

Aunt Mildred sighed. “I won’t lie - that man has powerful connections. But you’re safe under my roof for now. Let’s call the police in the morning to file a report.”

Reyna shook her head vigorously. “No, they’re in Nicholas’s pocket. It’ll just make him angrier. Please, can we keep my being here a secret for now?”

Her aunt didn’t like it but agreed, seeing Reyna’s distress. “Alright, but you’ll stay indoors during the day just in case. Now get some rest - we’ll worry about the rest tomorrow.”  

In the cozy spare room, Reyna drifted into an exhausted sleep, dead to the world until late morning. When she awoke, the events of the previous night came rushing back like a horrible dream. Checking her phone, she was unsurprised to see multiple missed calls and angry texts from Nicholas.

Making her way downstairs, the delicious scents of a full English breakfast lifted her spirits. Aunt Mildred insisted she eat, concerned by her pale face. Over sausage, eggs and toast, they began strategizing Reyna’s next steps.

“You’ll need money and work if you plan to stay away from that swine for good,” said Aunt Mildred. “Let’s see what jobs are going in the village.”

They spent the afternoon browsing websites on Aunt Mildred’s ancient desktop computer. An ad for a receptionist at the local doctor’s surgery caught Reyna’s eye - it was part time with potential for more hours. She sent off her resume right away. 

In the weeks that followed, Reyna settled into a routine at her new job, gaining satisfaction from helping patients even in a small way. Beyond work, she hid away at the farm, too afraid to socialize in case Nicholas caught wind of her whereabouts. But isolation began taking its toll.

One Saturday, she was tidying the farmyard when a battered pickup truck pulled into the drive. A tanned, ruggedly handsome man climbed out, touching the brim of his hat politely. “Neighbor Aldridge. Just bringing over some vegetables from the market.”

Reyna found herself lingering in the driveway, enjoying their easy conversation more than she’d expected. When Jack asked if she’d like to join him on his rounds delivering produce the next day, she surprised herself by agreeing.  

The following afternoon, Reyna relaxed in the passenger seat of Jack’s truck, wind in her hair, as they chatted and he helped local families. His kindness and lack of judgment soothed her frayed nerves. For the first time since leaving Nicholas, she felt hopeful about finally moving on.

That evening, as Reyna helped Aunt Mildred prepare dinner, her phone lit up with an incoming call from an unknown number. Frowning, she declined it, not wanting any surprises. But a moment later, a text buzzed through:

I know where you are. Leave the village or there will be trouble. -N

Reyna’s blood ran cold as Aunt Mildred grasped at her arm. “What is it, child? You’ve gone white as a ghost!” With shaking hands, Reyna showed her the ominous message.

They looked at each other with dread, knowing Nicholas wouldn’t make idle threats. But where could she possibly hide that he couldn’t find? As Aunt Mildred made calls to beef up security, Reyna paced the farmhouse, wrestling with indecision. She couldn’t endanger those around her - but running was the only choice to stay alive…