Chapter 62

MADDIE

I stood in front of the full-length mirror inside my quiet bedroom, smoothing down the folds of my outfit. Gone were the tailored pencil skirts, silk blouses, and sky-high heels that once served as my armor in the corporate world. Today, I wore a simple light-yellow knit sweater tucked into comfortable high-waisted denim jeans and a pair of clean white sneakers. I tied half of my hair up with a soft cream ribbon and adjusted my round glasses on the bridge of my nose.

Looking at my reflection, I didn't see Maddie Grant, the hardened billionaire's wife running from a dangerous past. I saw Sofia Collins—a soft-spoken, ordinary woman starting fresh as a daycare assistant in a peaceful countryside town.

Taking a deep, refreshing breath, I grabbed my canvas tote bag and walked out into the crisp morning air.

By nine in the morning, the Little Sprouts Daycare was alive with energy. Bright morning light poured through the tall glass windows, illuminating colorful drawing paper, alphabet blocks, and the cheerful laughter of seven energetic toddlers.

"Alright, everyone!" I said softly, sitting cross-legged on the pastel play mat surrounded by four toddlers. "Who wants to hear the story of the brave little bear?"

"Me! Me! Teacher Sofia!" tiny five-year-old Lily giggled, clapping her hands eagerly.

As I opened the illustrated storybook, my eyes naturally drifted toward the tall window overlooking the side garden.

Out in the yard, Julian was hard at work. He was crouching by the garden bed, fixing a leaking outdoor water hose connected to the main spigot. He wore a simple navy blue work shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing his tanned forearms, and a dark cap turned backward. The familiar white towel was slung casually over his shoulder.

As if sensing my gaze, Julian paused, wiped his brow with his sleeve, and turned his head toward the window. Through the clear glass, his gentle hazel eyes locked onto mine. A slow, warm smile spread across his face, softening his rugged features.

My heart did a strange, unexpected flutter. Caught off guard by his steady, quiet gaze, I froze mid-sentence, staring back at him through my glasses.

Clack!

I accidentally let the heavy hardcover storybook slip from my fingers, sending it clattering onto the floorboards.

A sudden blast of water hissed from the garden line outside—the hose nozzle had snapped loose, drenching Julian’s chest and arms in a cool spray. He gasped in surprise, quickly stepping back and wrestling with the brass valve to shut the water off, his damp hair clinging to his forehead.

"Ooooh! Teacher Sofia was staring at Mister Julian!" six-year-old Leo pointed his tiny finger, his eyes wide with mischievous glee.

"Teacher Sofia lost her book because of the water man!" Lily chimed in, bursting into infectious giggles.

Within seconds, all four children were clapping and laughing out loud, their high-pitched giggles ringing through the playroom. My cheeks instantly flushed a bright pink as I hurriedly picked up the book, adjusting my glasses with a nervous chuckle.

"I—I was just checking the weather outside, sweeties!" I stammered playfully, trying to hide my embarrassment. "Now, back to the brave bear!"

Through the window, Julian finally managed to turn off the valve. He looked up at our laughing circle, shook his wet hair like a golden retriever, and gave me a sheepish, deep-voiced laugh through the glass that was entirely muffled by the windowpane, making me smile despite myself.

By noon, the chaotic energy of storytime transitioned into a cozy, comforting lunch break.

The daycare sat on a generous plot of land owned by Andrew and Martha Smith—an endearing retired couple in their late sixties who lived in the main house right next door. Every single day, Martha made it her personal mission to cook a warm, homemade lunch for Annie, the children, and anyone else working on the property.

Today, Martha and her husband Andrew carried two large wicker baskets filled with fresh tomato soup, warm garlic bread, roasted vegetables, and a pitcher of homemade lemonade into the daycare's dining area.

We gathered around the long wooden table—Annie, myself, Andrew, Martha, and Julian, who had dried off and changed into a fresh gray t-shirt, alongside the children who were happily eating their smaller portions.

"Eat up, Sofia dear," Martha said warmly, placing a bowl of steaming soup in front of me. "Annie told us how wonderful you were with the kids today. We’re so blessed to have you in Oakridge."

"Thank you, Mrs. Smith. This looks delicious," I smiled genuinely, taking a spoonful.

"So, Sofia," Andrew asked kindly, setting down his cup of tea as he looked across the table. "Where did you move from? We don't get many city folks deciding to settle down in our quiet little town."

Beside me, Julian quietly set down his bread, his calm hazel eyes turning toward me with quiet interest.

I swallowed softly, feeling the familiar weight of my carefully constructed white lies settle on my tongue. "I grew up in a small town up north, actually. But I spent the last few years working in the city... handling administrative and office work for a corporate firm."

"Ah, the city life," Martha sighed sympathetically. "Too noisy, too fast. I don't blame you for wanting to leave."

"It was," I agreed, keeping my tone light and conversational. "My parents passed away when I was quite young, and after years of working long hours behind a desk, I realized I wanted a quieter life. Somewhere simple. No family tying me down, no high-pressure jobs... just a fresh start."

Julian leaned back in his chair, his voice deep and gentle as he spoke. "It takes a lot of courage to drop everything and start over somewhere completely new, Sofia."

I met his gaze, sensing the deep, unspoken understanding in his tone. "Sometimes, it's the only way to find peace, Julian."

"Well, you found the right place," Annie declared cheerfully, raising her glass of lemonade. "Oakridge is officially your new home!"

By four in the afternoon, the children had been picked up by their parents, and the daycare was quiet once more. After helping Annie wipe down the activity tables, I said my goodbyes and began my slow walk back to my house on Willow Lane.

The evening sun was casting long, orange shadows across the gravel path when my phone suddenly vibrated inside my canvas bag.

My heart skipped a beat. Only one person on earth had this burner number.

I quickly pulled out the phone and slid it to my ear, stepping under the shadow of a large oak tree away from the main road.

"Lizzie?" I whispered carefully.

"Maddie—I mean, Sofia," Lizzie's hushed, urgent voice filled the receiver. I could hear the faint sound of typing and muffled commotion in her background. "I only have two minutes before my break ends. Are you safe?"

"I'm safe, Lizzie. I'm settled in," I replied, my voice tightening. "What's happening?"

Lizzie took a sharp, shaky breath. "It's Hades. He's completely lost his mind, Maddie. When he realized you vanished—that your records, your accounts, and your entire footprint were erased—he went ballistic."

A cold shiver ran down my spine despite the warm evening air. "Is he... is he looking for me?"

"He's not just looking, he's tearing everything apart," Lizzie warned, her tone dead serious. "He’s deployed his private security teams to every major city, every airport, and every transport hub. He thinks you're hiding in plain sight or fleeing abroad. He doesn't have a direct lead on your location yet... but he's having his men cross-reference every small town and rural district methodically, town by town."

I gripped the phone tightly, my knuckles turning white.

"He won't stop, Sofia," Lizzie added softly. "He told his head of security that he will find you no matter how long it takes or how deep you hide. You need to keep your head down. Don't slip up."

"I won't," I breathed out, forcing the tremor out of my voice. "Thank you, Lizzie. Be careful."

"You too. Goodbye, Maddie."

The line went dead. I slowly lowered the phone, staring at the darkened screen as the cool wind rustled the oak leaves above me.

The ghost of Hades Grant was still reaching out from the shadows, threatening to tear down the sanctuary I was fighting so hard to build. Even if Hades loved me... I knew deep down that it wasn't the kind of love I deserved. His love was a cage—suffocating, controlling, and wrapped in fear. I didn't want a life of constant survival and high walls anymore; I only wanted peace.

As I looked up at the warm light glowing from the porch of my small house on Willow Lane, I squared my shoulders.

Maddie was dead. And Sofia Collins was not going to let him take her freedom back.