Chapter 117

Elena's POV

I'd just finished packing my luggage when Jason burst into the room. One look at his face told me everything.

"He found us?" I asked flatly.

Jason nodded, sweat glistening on his forehead. "We need to leave. Now."

I grabbed my bag and ran toward the stairs. "You didn't hide our whereabouts well enough!" I hissed as we raced down the steps.

"I did everything I could," Jason defended himself, his voice tight with anxiety. "But Richard isn't an ordinary man."

We burst through the front door—and my world collapsed.

A black Range Rover sat in the driveway, flanked by at least six high-end SUVs forming a perfect semicircle. Men in dark suits stood at attention beside each vehicle. The formation reminded me of the scene outside the preschool.

But it was the man stepping out of the car that made my blood run cold.

Richard's tall frame was wrapped in a long black coat. The power radiating from him made the air feel heavy.

I dropped my bags and ran back toward the house.

"Elena Winter!" Richard's voice boomed across the grounds. "What are you running from? STOP RIGHT THERE!"

I didn't stop. I rushed out the back door. I heard his footsteps behind me, steadily gaining despite my desperate pace.

I darted between buildings, using my smaller size to squeeze through narrow passages. I managed to stay ahead a little, my lungs burning.

Then I turned a corner and faced a solid brick wall. Dead end.

I spun around, pressing my back against the cold brick. Richard stood at the alley entrance, not even breathing hard. His eyes gleamed with something primal.

"Keep running," he taunted. "Why did you stop?"

"Why won't you leave me alone?" I shot back, desperation making my voice crack. "I gave you three children. Is that not enough? Are you that eager to see me dead?"

"What are you talking about?" he asked, confused, followed by a command. "Come here."

I ignored him, turning to jump and climb the wall. But before I could reach the top, strong arms wrapped around me.

"Let me go!" I screamed, struggling against his iron grip. Richard simply adjusted his hold and carried me out of the alley.

Jason and his staff watched in horror as Richard carried me—thrown over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes—toward the waiting vehicles.

"Richard!" I shouted, pounding my fists against his back. "Put me down this instant! You tyrant! Let me go!"

My protests fell on deaf ears. With humiliating ease, he deposited me in the backseat of the Range Rover and slammed the door shut.

He leaned through the open window, his face inches from mine. "If you try to run again," he said, his voice deadly quiet, "I promise you'll never see the children again. Do you understand me?"

The threat hit me like a physical blow. I glared at him through tears of rage, but chose to remain silent. For my children, I would endure anything—even him.

An hour later, we approached the familiar gates of Highland Estate. The sprawling property was mostly dark now, with only security lights illuminating the perimeter.

I reached for the door handle as soon as the car stopped, eager to escape his suffocating presence.

"Don't move," Richard ordered from the front seat. I froze instinctively, hating myself for responding to the command in his voice.

He came around and yanked open my door. When I tried to exit on my own, he grabbed the back of my collar, lifting me slightly like a disobedient puppy.

"What are you doing?" I protested. "I'm not going to run away!"

Richard's only response was a cold laugh. His scent enveloped me completely as he marched me toward the house, claiming ownership with every step.

Inside, the lights suddenly blazed to life. Three small figures sat huddled together on the large sofa, their anxious faces instantly lighting up.

"Mommy!" Lily's tearful voice broke my heart as she launched herself at me. "You came back!"

I knelt down, gathering my baby girl in my arms. "Of course I did, sweetheart."

"I thought you left because I wasn't good," she sobbed against my neck. "Please don't leave again. I'll be super good!"

"No, no, baby," I soothed, my own tears falling freely now. "Mommy would never leave because of you."

Max and Kathy approached more slowly, but their eyes were equally wet. I opened my arms wider, and they stepped into my embrace. For several minutes, we just held each other while I whispered reassurances.

Finally, Richard called Anna to take the children upstairs.

"But what about Mommy?" Lily asked, clutching my sleeve. "Are you coming up too?"

"Yes, sweetie," I promised. "Mommy will be up soon."

She nodded reluctantly and followed Anna, looking back several times before disappearing upstairs.

When we were alone, Richard's façade of calm dropped away.

"Satisfied?" he spat. "Look what you've done! They've been inconsolable since you disappeared."

I felt the weight of guilt crush me. "I didn't have a choice," I whispered. "I thought—"

"You thought what?" he demanded. "You claim to be the children's mother, yet you put them through this!"

"What choice did I have?" I countered, finding my voice again. "If I stayed, would I ever see my children again? Weren't you planning to imprison me forever or get rid of me?"

Richard stared at me like I'd grown a second head. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"Don't play dumb," I hissed.

He ran a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated. "What insanity is this? Have I done anything to you since you came back? Have I stopped you from seeing the children? Do you think I'm the same as my father?"

"You... you're not trying to kill me?" I asked, my voice small.

Richard looked genuinely shocked. "Kill you? Is that what you thought?" He rubbed his temple. "No wonder you've been acting so irrationally. Elena, I never intended to harm you."

"I never wanted to divorce you either," he continued, his tone forceful but no longer angry. "I want us to raise these three children together."

I stared at him, the world tilting on its axis. Had I completely misunderstood his intentions? The fear that had driven me for days suddenly seemed unfounded.

Relief flooded through me, leaving me light-headed. All this time, I'd been running from a threat that didn't exist.

Richard watched the realization dawn on my face, his own expression softening slightly. "Go upstairs and get some sleep," he ordered, though his voice lacked its earlier edge. "We'll discuss everything else tomorrow."

I nodded and headed for the stairs, emotionally drained but inexplicably lighter.