Flora's POV
Jonathan’s arms were heavy around me, his body finally still. The rise and fall of his chest against mine signaled that he had drifted into a deep sleep. It had taken longer than I expected, but I managed to convince him to stay in the bedroom. I’d whispered soothing words, stroked his hair, and pretended to share his contentment until exhaustion claimed him.
As soon as his breathing deepened, I eased out of his arms carefully. My bare feet hit the cool floor, and I froze, glancing back at him. He didn’t stir. Quietly, I slipped out of the room and into the bathroom to finish my bath.
The warm water helped wash away not just the physical remnants of our time together but also some of the shame and confusion swirling in my mind. What was I doing? How had I let things spiral like this? But I couldn’t dwell on it now.
Once I was clean and dressed, I headed downstairs. His phone sat on the coffee table, taunting me with its silence. It hadn’t buzzed again since the last time, but I wasn’t taking any chances. I picked it up, examined it briefly, and turned it off before setting it back down. If there were secrets hidden in that device, they’d stay hidden for now.
I turned on the television, letting the dull hum of a nature documentary fill the silence. It helped distract me as I processed my next move. I didn’t have much time to think, though. Eventually, I made my way back upstairs, slipping into Jonathan’s arms once more.
The following morning, the sunlight streaming through the curtains stirred us both. Jonathan stretched lazily beside me before sitting up.
“I’ve got some things to handle today,” he said, his voice groggy but firm.
I sat up, feigning casual interest. “Where are you going?”
“To check on Lucian,” he replied, rubbing the back of his neck. “I need to make sure everything’s in order.”
I hesitated. “Will he ask about me?”
Jonathan glanced at me, a sly smile curling his lips. “He won’t. And even if he does, I’ll tell him I don’t know where you are.”
His nonchalance made my stomach twist. I didn’t trust him, but I didn’t let it show. Instead, I nodded and forced a small smile. “Okay.”
Inside, though, my mind raced. I needed to get away from him before things spiraled further.
When he finally rose to get ready, I watched him carefully. He picked up his phone and muttered something under his breath. The screen lit briefly before shutting off again. My breath caught. What kind of control did he have over his phone?
He dressed quickly, his movements efficient but unhurried. As he made his way to the door, he glanced back at me.
“Stay here,” he said firmly. “I’ll be back later.”
I nodded, keeping my expression neutral. “Be safe.”
With that, he left, shutting the door behind him. The sound of the lock clicking into place sent a jolt through me.
As soon as I was certain he was gone, I sprang into action. The house was eerily quiet, and I moved through it quickly, checking every possible exit. The windows were large and easy to open, and the doors were straightforward compared to Lucian’s fortress-like home.
I paused at one of the windows, trying to recall the route we had taken to get here. The winding streets and dense trees flashed through my memory, but it was all a blur.
I gathered a small bag of essentials from around the house—water, snacks, a jacket—and waited. My heart pounded in my chest, every second feeling like an eternity. When I was sure Jonathan was far enough away, I made my move.
I locked the door behind me and headed for the main gate. The morning air was crisp, and the quiet neighborhood was beginning to stir with activity. I kept my head down, walking briskly but not too quickly. I didn’t want to draw attention.
Once I was out on the street, I allowed myself a brief moment of relief. But I couldn’t stop now.
I walked until I reached a major road, my eyes scanning for a cab. One finally pulled up, and I slid into the back seat, my pulse still racing.
“Where to?” the driver asked, glancing at me in the rearview mirror.
“Anywhere,” I replied. “Just drive.”
He raised an eyebrow but didn’t question me further. The car rumbled to life, and we pulled onto the road. I leaned back in my seat, trying to steady my breathing.
The journey was uneventful at first. The city stretched out before us, bustling with life as the morning rush picked up. I stared out the window, my mind spinning with possibilities.
But then I noticed something in the rearview mirror. A black car was following us, its movements too deliberate to be a coincidence.
My stomach tightened.
“Hey,” I said, leaning forward. “That car behind us—how long has it been there?”
The driver glanced back, his brow furrowing. “I didn’t notice it before, but now that you mention it…”
The car sped up slightly, closing the gap between us.
“Can you lose them?” I asked, my voice trembling.
The driver hesitated. “I’ll try.”
He accelerated, weaving through traffic with skill, but the black car matched his every move. My pulse raced, panic threatening to take over.
“They’re not letting up,” the driver muttered.
The black car suddenly surged forward, ramming into us from behind. The impact sent us skidding, and the driver struggled to regain control.
“Hold on!” he shouted.
Before I could brace myself, the black car struck us again, harder this time. Our car spun out, tires screeching against the pavement. Everything seemed to slow as we flipped, the world turning upside down.
The deafening crunch of metal and shattering glass filled my ears. My body jerked violently, and pain shot through me as we slammed to a stop.
Silence followed, broken only by the distant hum of traffic. My breathing slowed, each gasp a struggle. Darkness crept in at the edges of my vision, and I couldn’t fight it.
The last thing I saw was the shattered remains of the car and the faint shadow of someone approaching. Then, everything went black.