Chapter 14 Chapter 14
Valerie POV
I rushed toward the cafeteria, my heart pounding hard in my chest. I ignored the greetings, the whispers, the curious looks from people around me. None of it mattered. I only had one goal.
Lauren.
The moment I saw her standing near the counter, something inside me broke. All the fear I had been holding in for days rushed out at once. Tears blurred my vision before I could stop them.
“Lauren,” I whispered.
My voice cracked as I ran toward her.
She turned when she heard me and froze for a second. Then her eyes widened, and she opened her arms without hesitation. I crashed into her embrace, holding her as tightly as I could, like she was the only thing keeping me upright.
“Oh, Valerie,” Lauren said softly. “I missed you so much.”
Her words undid me,I cried into her shoulder, silent sobs shaking my body. For the first time in days, I felt safe. Even if it was only for a moment.
Then panic hit me,I pulled away suddenly and started scanning the cafeteria, my eyes moving fast, my body tense. I looked for familiar faces. Guards. Anyone connected to my father.
Anyone who could report back to him.
Lauren noticed immediately.
She laughed softly, shaking her head. “Stop acting like a scared child, Valerie,” she said. “No one is watching.”
I didn’t laugh,“I’m serious,” I said, lowering my voice. “I can’t be careless.”
Her smile faded as she studied my face more closely. She could see it now,the fear, the exhaustion, the way my shoulders stayed tight like I was ready to run.
“I don’t want to put you in danger,” I continued. “You don’t understand what my father is capable of. If he finds out I came here, if he thinks you’re helping me—”
My voice trembled.
“I don’t want anything to happen to you. Or your family. I have to be careful. Always.”
Lauren reached for my hands and squeezed them gently.
“Valerie,” she said firmly, “look at me.”
I did.
“You’re not alone,” she said. “Not anymore.”
The words hit me harder than I expected. My throat tightened, and tears filled my eyes again. I wanted to believe her. I needed to believe her.
“I feel trapped,” I admitted quietly. “Every move I make is watched. Every decision is controlled. I don’t even recognize my life anymore.”
Lauren pulled me into another hug, this time softer, steadier.
“You’re strong,” she said. “Stronger than you think. And we’ll figure this out together.”
I nodded against her shoulder, even though fear still twisted inside me. I didn’t know how we would escape my father’s reach. I didn’t know how to break free from the life chosen for me.
But for the first time in a long while, I wasn’t completely hopeless.
I pulled back and wiped my tears, forcing myself to breathe.
“Thank you for meeting me,” I said. “I needed this. I needed you.”
Lauren smiled gently. “Anytime.”
As we walked deeper into the cafeteria to sit down, I glanced around one more time. The fear was still there, but so was something new.
Hope, I knew, was dangerous.But it was also the only thing keeping me alive.
“No! I want to hear everything. How did you meet her? Last I checked, the two of you were enemies. You could destroy each other in business! So how, How did you suddenly get engaged? And everyone knows about it!” Lauren’s voice shook with curiosity, but there was fear in her eyes too. I couldn’t hide it anymore. The truth pressed on me like a weight I couldn’t carry alone.
“I… I didn’t want to get involved with Noah Boneman,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “I had planned to escape the engagement ceremony. But then… I met Luciano.” My lips quivered. “He… he threatened to spill everything. So I thought maybe if I lied to my father, said I was engaged to Luciano, he wouldn’t force me to marry Noah. I thought… I thought it would protect me. But… fate… it had other plans.” I bit my lip, trying to hold back the tears that burned behind my eyes. “I ended up… with a bounty on my head.”
Lauren’s eyes went wide. “Wait… wait, let me get this straight! Have you gone mad, Valeria?!” Her voice cracked. “Why would you even think of something like that? I know you. I know what you can’t do. But this… this desperation, just to get away from Noah… you’ve thrown yourself into chaos!”
“Yes,” I whispered. My shoulders sagged.
“That’s why I came to you, Lauren. I need your help. I have to leave the country. My passport… It's back at my father’s mansion. Please… could you get it for me?” My voice barely rose above a plea. I couldn’t go there myself. Lauren had access. She could go safely. I knew nothing would happen to her if she decided to see my mother.
I watched her, my heart hammering so loud I thought she might hear it. Every second stretched out, a countdown I couldn’t pause. If she refused… I’d be trapped. Trapped with Luciano. The thought made my stomach twist and my skin crawl. My hands shook as I tried to steady them. I could almost see the danger looming closer with every heartbeat.
Lauren’s lips pressed together. Her eyes softened, but the worry didn’t leave them. “Val… you know this is dangerous, right? Your parents… if they find out… it could explode. But… I won’t let anything happen to you. I’ll get your passport. You have to leave. You have to get out before it’s too late.”
Relief and fear crashed through me like a wave, leaving me breathless. “Thank you… Lauren. I… I don’t know what I’d do without you,” I whispered. My voice broke. Every thought of Luciano, every second I delayed leaving, it all threatened to crush me—but her willingness to help gave me the tiniest spark of hope.
I clenched my fists, trying to steady the trembling in my body. I couldn’t wait. I couldn’t hesitate. If I had to request a new passport, I’d never get it in time. And if I stayed… if I didn’t leave now… I’d be stuck with Luciano. My chest tightened just thinking about it.
“Please… go,” I whispered. “i seriously need it Lauren.”