Chapter 82

The only sound in the otherwise quiet house was Roseline's bare feet scuffing the carpet as she paced back and forth in her bedroom. A mixture of anticipation and anxiety was pulsing through her veins, and her pulse was thumping in her chest. Now, every choice she made needed to be exact, well thought out, and perfectly performed. She couldn't afford to make even the slightest mistake because Ronaldo was always keeping an eye on her.  

She was startled by the gentle vibration of her phone buzzing on the nightstand. Half expecting Ronaldo to storm through the door at any second, she snatched it up. 

**Sam**: "Are things going well? Have you received the documents?  

Roseline's fingers shook a little as she penned a brief response.  

Roseline: "Yeah. They showed up this morning. I appreciate you setting things up.  

Throughout it all, Sam had been her pillar of support—the only person who didn't condemn her or make her feel like she was drowning. He had resources, contacts, and—above all—a strategy. They were going to get her out of Ronaldo’s hands, no matter what it took.  

Once more, the phone buzzed.  

**Sam**: "All right. For you, I have reserved a safe place outside of the city. It's safe and calm. Before determining the next course of action, we will first relocate you there.  

Roseline gazed at the message while perched on the bed's edge. A haven. In a sea of uncertainty felt like a tiny bit of solid ground, like an anchor in the storm.  

She returned the kind.  

**Roseline**: “What about Ronaldo? His suspicions are growing daily. If he discovers that I'm going...  

Sam’s reply came fast.  

**Sam**: “He won’t find out. We'll exercise caution. Roseline, you've persevered through this. Just a bit more time.  

Leaning back against the headboard, Roseline let out a breath. Is that that easy? Could she break om Ronaldo's oppressive dominance and begin anew? She felt a mixture of dread and hope at the prospect.  

Roseline and Sam met the following day at their usual location, a peaceful area of the botanical gardens protected from prying eyes by a wall of overgrown ivy and tall trees. When she got there, Sam was already waiting, a warm smile softening his angular features.  

"Roseline," he said in a soothing, low voice. He stood with a gentle but reassuring touch of his hand against hers.  

She took a seat next to him and looked around anxiously. "I'm running short of time. Ronaldo has been watching me more closely.  

Sam took a little folder out of his bag and nodded. "I understand. I've accelerated everything because of this. The aim is to exit through the rear gate tomorrow night when he has gone to sleep. A car will be waiting close to the old church, two blocks away. It will lead you directly to the haven.  

Maps, addresses, and comprehensive instructions were among the documents Roseline leafed through in the packet. Every little thing had been considered.  

"What if he wakes up, though?" Her question was hardly audible above a whisper.  

"He won't," Sam declared with assurance. "I've set up a little diversion. At the front gate, one of my men will activate the alarm. It will occupy his security detail long enough for you to evade detection.  

Roseline scowled. Moreover, what if Ronaldo suspects me? He'll know I got assistance. He will pursue you.  

Sam's jaw tightened and his expression deepened. "Give him a chance. He doesn't frighten me, Roseline. Getting you and the baby out safely is all that worries me.  

With the pressure of her choice bearing down on her, her palm automatically went to her stomach. "Sam, I don't want you to suffer harm. If something were to happen to you as a result of me, I couldn't bear it.  

His hand covered hers as he reached out. "Listen to me, Roseline. Right now, the two most significant things in my life are you and this baby. I will stop at nothing to protect you. Do you trust me?”  

She peered into his eyes, the sincerity in his gaze breaking through her trepidation. "I do," she murmured.  

"Good," Sam responded in a stern voice. Then carry out the plan. Everything will be alright.  

A feeling of resolve descended upon Roseline as they sat in quiet for a while. She was acting in her child's best interests, not simply her own.  

After a moment, she murmured, "Thank you, Sam. For everything.  

Grinning, he gave her hand a light squeeze. Roseline, you don't have to express gratitude to me. Just assure me that you will remain resilient.  

They were in the middle of something when a voice in the distance called Sam's name. Both of them tensed, their gazes flitting to the sound's origin.  

Sam hurriedly gathered the folder and put it back in his backpack, saying, "We should go." Roseline, follow the plan. I'll meet you at night tomorrow.  

Roseline arose, her heart thumping, and nodded. "Sam, exercise caution."  

He winked and said, "I always am," before vanishing into the trees.  

Roseline kept thinking that they were running out of time as she made her way back towards the mansion. Ronaldo had been acting more erratically and asking more sharp questions. The stakes had never been higher, especially now that a tangible plan was in place.  

Ronaldo was waiting in the foyer with his arms crossed and an enigmatic expression on his face when she arrived at the front door.  

With a harsh tone, he enquired, "Where have you been?"  

With a firm tone, Roseline answered, "I went for a walk." "I needed to breathe."  

Ronaldo squinted his eyes. "You've spent a lot of time out recently. Are you certain you're not telling me anything?  

Despite her racing heart, she forced herself to look him in the eye. "Not. I've been under a lot during this pregnancy, as you know. I simply needed time to reflect.  

After a lengthy minute of studying her, he nodded. "All right. However, avoid exerting yourself excessively.  

Roseline's chest tight with relief, she managed a wastiny grin. "I refuse to."  

She could feel his gaze on her back as she walked upstairs. Despite the oppressive weight of his mistrust, she was determined not to let it stop her. She would finally be free tomorrow evening.  

However, she noticed something odd as she shut the door to her bedroom. She had left the drawer of her dresser, where she had concealed the pregnancy test, slightly open.  

Her throat tightened with each breath. She had been in her room with someone.  

And they might be aware of her secret, whoever it was.