Chapter 126 Chapter 126

Chapter 126 Chapter 126
Greer's POV

I parked the Mercedes smoothly in my usual spot outside the apartment building, a soft smile still playing on my lips. The day had been nothing short of magical. Signing the papers for the new Lumina Bloom flagship store — a whole three-story building worth fifteen million dollars, felt like a dream I was finally stepping into. My brand was no longer just an idea fighting for survival. It was becoming a real empire, and I was the one building it.

The cool evening breeze brushed against my skin as I stepped out of the car, the keys to my new store jingling in my bag. I walked toward the entrance of my apartment with a light heart, already imagining telling Calder everything when he returned. The way he had cooked breakfast for me this morning, the passion we shared last night, it all made my love for him bloom even deeper. He made me feel safe. Cherished. Powerful.

But the moment I reached my front door, that warmth shattered.

The door was slightly ajar.

A thin crack of darkness revealed itself where it should have been firmly closed and locked. My steps slowed. A cold dread crawled up my spine. I noticed shattered pieces of the decorative vase I kept in the entryway scattered across the floor, like someone had kicked it over in haste. My heart began hammering against my ribs.

I should have run immediately. But fear and confusion made me freeze for a second. I moved closer, careful not to make a sound, and gently pushed the door open just enough to peek inside.

Low, rough voices came from my bedroom.

Three hefty men were inside; broad-shouldered, dressed in dark clothes, moving with the confidence of people who didn’t fear getting caught. One was rifling through my drawers, another stood by the window keeping watch, and the third was on the phone, speaking in a low, irritated mutter.

“…she’s not home yet. Yeah, we’ve been waiting. The bitch should’ve been dead by now. Boss said make it look like a break-in gone wrong. We’ve got the knife ready.”

The words hit me like ice water poured down my back. My blood ran cold. Dead. They wanted me dead. These men had been sent here to kill me.

Terror gripped me so fiercely I almost couldn’t breathe. My hands started shaking uncontrollably. One of the men turned slightly in my direction, and I quickly pulled back from the doorway before he could see me. I didn’t wait another second. I turned silently on my heels and ran.

My feet barely made a sound as I sprinted back toward the car, heart pounding so loudly I was sure they could hear it. Every shadow in the parking lot felt threatening. I fumbled with the car keys, my trembling fingers making it hard to unlock the Mercedes. Finally, the door clicked open. I threw myself inside, locked the doors, and started the engine with shaking hands.

The car roared to life. I didn’t even bother with the seatbelt. I slammed my foot on the accelerator and sped out of the parking lot, tires screeching against the asphalt. My breaths came in short, panicked gasps. In the rearview mirror, I kept checking for any sign of them following me. My mind was spiraling.

Who sent them? Veda? Indira? Or someone else? They wanted me gone. Permanently.

Tears blurred my vision as I drove down the street, hands gripping the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles turned white. I was trembling all over. The beautiful day, the store, the victory, Calder’s love, all of it felt distant now. Fear had taken over completely.

I grabbed my phone with one shaky hand and called Calder. It rang twice before he picked up.

“Greer?” His voice was instantly alert, sensing something was wrong.

“Calder—” My voice broke. “There are men in my apartment. Three of them. I heard one say… they said I should’ve been dead by now. They’re waiting for me with a knife. I ran. I’m in the car right now. I don’t know what to do—”

“Greer, listen to me,” he said firmly, his tone shifting into that commanding, protective mode I had come to rely on. “Calm down, baby. Breathe. You’re doing the right thing by driving. Step on the accelerator and head straight to the nearest police station. Do not go back to the apartment. Do not stop anywhere. I’m coming to you right now. Stay on the phone with me if you can.”

His voice helped ground me a little, but the fear was still overwhelming. I wiped tears from my eyes and focused on the road, driving faster than I probably should have.

“I’m scared, Calder,” I whispered. “They want me dead.”

“I know. But they’re not going to touch you. I’m handling this. Just get to the station safely. I love you. You hear me? I love you.”

Those words gave me a small burst of strength. I nodded even though he couldn’t see me. “I love you too.”

After ending the call with Calder, my hands were still shaking so badly I could barely hold the phone. I dialed Cassey next. She picked up almost immediately.

“Greer? What’s wrong? You sound—”

“Cassey, someone broke into my apartment,” I cut in, voice trembling. “There were three men. They were waiting to kill me. I heard them on the phone. I ran to the car and I’m driving to the police station now. I’m so scared.”

“Oh my God,” Cassey gasped. Her voice immediately filled with panic, making everything feel even worse. “Greer, that’s insane! Are you okay? Did they see you? Where are you right now? Should I come meet you? This is crazy. After everything that’s already happened… who would do this?”

Her fear only amplified mine. She wasn’t calming me down — she was spiraling with me. “I don’t know. Maybe Veda. Maybe Indira. I just… I can’t believe this is happening again.”

“Drive carefully, okay? Don’t stop for anything. I’m freaking out over here. Call me when you get to the station. I’ll try to meet you there if I can.”

We stayed on the phone a little longer, but her panic wasn’t helping. I eventually told her I needed to focus on driving and hung up. The rest of the drive to the nearest police station felt like an eternity. Every car behind me looked suspicious. Every shadow on the sidewalk made my heart jump.

When I finally pulled into the police station parking lot, I sat in the car for a moment, trying to steady my breathing. Tears were still falling. The beautiful high from buying my new store had been violently ripped away, replaced by this raw, suffocating terror.

Someone wanted me dead.

And they had come so close tonight.

I grabbed my phone again and texted Calder my location. Then I forced myself to get out of the car and walk into the station on shaky legs.

Whatever came next, whether it was Veda’s final attempt or something even darker, I knew one thing for sure.

I wasn’t going down without a fight.

But right now, all I wanted was Calder’s arms around me, telling me I was safe.