Chapter 163 Moving on...
Serena’s POV
I didn’t stop moving, not till my body forced me to.
By the time I finally slowed down, the streets had thinned out completely. The noise of the city was far behind me now, replaced by that lonely feeling.
My legs burned with every step as my chest still rose and fell harder than I liked, even after losing them over five minutes ago.
I pushed forward just a little more before finally stepping into a narrow, abandoned structure tucked behind a row of half-finished buildings.
It looked like it had been deserted for long before now with broken walls, exposed concrete, dust everywhere, no lights. No movement.
Perfect. Just the kind of place I needed.
I stepped inside carefully with my eyes scanning every corner before I allowed myself to move further in.
The place was empty. No signs of anyone staying here, no sound other than the faint echo of my own steps.
Only then did I stop.
I leaned back against the wall, closing my eyes for a brief second as I tried to steady my breathing.
I still had my hand gripping the gun tightly, with my fingers refusing to loosen, like they didn’t trust the silence just yet.
They found me. That thought settled in fully now, heavier than it had felt during the chase.
That wasn’t random, that wasn’t luck. They came for me in particular.
How they knew where I was is something I couldn't just wrap my mind around.
I pushed myself off the wall and reached for my phone immediately, unlocking it and opening the messages.
For a second, I just stared at the screen.
Then I typed as fast as I could.
Me: They found me.
The reply didn’t come instantly this time, it took about a full minute before it came.
Unknown: Are you safe?
My jaw tightened slightly.
Me: For now.
Another short moment passed before the response.
Unknown: Explain.
I exhaled slowly before typing again, my fingers moving faster now.
Me: They came to my room pretending to be staff and tried to break in when I didn't open. I got out before they could.
This time, the response came practically immediately.
Unknown: How many?
Me: At least four. Maybe more.
There was a longer pause this time. Longer than I liked.
Then—
Unknown: Good. You handled it well.
I pulled my brows together slightly.
Good? That was his response?
Me: That’s not the point. They found me.
Unknown: I expected that.
I went still with my grip tightening around the phone.
Me: You expected it?
Unknown: Yes.
A second passed.
Then—
Unknown: You were never going to stay hidden for long.
I let out a sharp breath, running my hand through my hair as I paced once across the small space.
“This isn’t something you do alone.”
His words from before came back to me, and I stopped pacing.
Me: Then why didn’t you say anything?
Another second or two passed.
Unknown: Because panicking makes people sloppy. You needed to focus on getting out first.
I clenched my jaw.
Me: I’m not panicking.
Unknown: You are now.
I went still with my fingers hovering over the screen for a second before I forced them to move again.
Me: I need to leave.
And the reply took longer this time.
Unknown: You will.
Me: Not later. Now.
Silence.
I shook my head slightly as frustration began building up.
Me: This place isn’t safe anymore, they know I’m here. I need to get my mother and move as far away as possible. Tonight.
Unknown: No.
The response came almost immediately.
I froze.
Me: No?
Unknown: Moving now would be a mistake.
My grip tightened.
Me: Staying is a bigger one.
Unknown: Not if you do it right.
I let out a quiet, frustrated breath, pressing my back against the cold wall again.
“They came to my door,” I muttered under my breath before typing it out.
Me: They were seconds away from getting me on a platter.
Unknown: And they didn’t.
That stopped me. Not because I agreed… but because of how certain he sounded.
Unknown: You survived cause you relaxed and thought things through. Don’t ruin that now.
I stared at the screen for nearly a minute after it landed. My heartbeat was still a little too fast and my mind kept replaying the sound of the door almost breaking, the footsteps right outside, the shots that followed.
I didn’t want to wait. But rushing blindly had never worked in the long run.
I knew that. Even if I didn’t like it.
Me: Then what do we do?
This time, the reply came fast.
Unknown: We plan properly.
I exhaled slowly.
Me: How long?
Unknown: Not long.
Another second passed before the next message came in.
Unknown: We start tomorrow morning.
I stared at the words for a moment, then locked the phone and let my hand drop to my side.
Tomorrow.
That meant one more night here. One more night knowing they were out there, looking for me.
I pushed myself off the wall and moved deeper into the building, finding a corner that gave me a clear view of the only entrance.
If I had to stay… then I’d stay ready.
Dante’s POV
The first day felt normal, too normal.
I sat behind the desk, flipping through documents like nothing had changed, like nothing had burned down just nights ago.
Papers moved from one side to the other, signatures were placed where they were needed, and decisions were made without any hesitation.
Meetings came and went and voices spilled out from rooms around.
And through it all… I stayed focused, strictly on work. Nothing else.
I didn’t think about her for a second, I didn't want to.
The second day was the same. If anything, I worked more.
I took longer hours in the office, something they weren't used to in the last few weeks.
I gave myself fewer breaks, adding something that required attention in every second.
Numbers. Deals. Reports.
Anything that kept my mind occupied, anything that kept it from drifting.
And from the third day, it got easier. Not because anything had changed…
But because I stopped letting it come up at all.
The thought of her would start to surface, and I’d shut it down before it fully formed.
No hesitation, no room for it.
The fourth day, it was almost gone. Not completely just yet, but enough.
Enough to function without any interruption.
Enough to sit through an entire day without her crossing my mind even once.
Or at least… that’s what I told myself.
The hotel had practically become my home now, same room, same peace.
I hadn’t moved out yet, I didn’t see the need to.
Everything I had burnt with the penthouse, so here, I just get by with a few clothes I bought and some other items.
I got Valentina a room, with the kids. She had hidden them from Luca the other night but I knew better than to keep them.
I wasn't just ready for that conversation with her yet.
Our stay here was temporary, at least till I see enough reason to get a new home.
By the time evening came around today, I was still at work.
The office had thinned out with most people having left hours ago, leaving the place quieter than usual.
I signed off on the last document in front of me, setting the pen down as I leaned back slightly.
The silence settled in, and for the first time that day… there was nothing left to do.
No distractions.
No work.
Just quiet.
I packed up a few things I brought and headed out, and had to grab something for dinner.
Didn't like the hotel food.
I stepped out, locking my office door behind me and exiting the building.
I made it just to where my car was when a far too familiar voice halted my steps.