Chapter 9
Savannah didn’t tell anyone what happened that night.
All she wanted now was to leave this place. Fast.
Their flight was in three hours. The reminder lit up on her screen as she and Helen hurried to pack the last of their bags. They were almost out the door when someone started pounding on it–loud, relentless, like they were trying to break it down.
The door swung open before Savannah could react. A woman–middle–aged, loud, and completely unfamiliar–strode into the house like she owned it.
“What the hell took you so long? I’ve been knocking forever!”
Savannah stepped in front of her mother and narrowed her eyes. “Who are you? I don’t know you. Get out
The woman gave Savannah a once–over, clicked her tongue, and turned to shout over her shoulder.
of
my
house.
”
“Travis! Her face isn’t much, but whatever. As long as you get a wife, it’ll do.”
Savannah froze, genuinely questioning whether this woman was mentally stable–until she saw him.
The man from the video. The one who’d destroyed her sister.
He sauntered in behind the woman with a smug grin on his face.
Savannah snapped. Rage blinded her. She lunged at him, fists clenched. “You bastard! You’ve got the nerve to come here?! Get out!” But he didn’t even flinch. Instead, he chuckled and stepped closer like he was entitled to be there.
“Why wouldn’t I be here? You’re my fiancée now.
He looked around the house. “This place? Belongs to me.”
“My lawyer told me your sister ran off. Someone’s gotta take responsibility. So, congratulations–you’re it.”
Savannah stared at him, heart pounding, disbelief crashing through her like a wave of ice.
And then they walked in.
Julian. And Delilah.
イメー
Delilah’s heels clicked with purpose. Her tone was airy but condescending. Try to understand, Ms. Doyle. The trial’s about to start and your sister bailed. You left us no choice”
“Hand her over,” she smiled coldly, “or go in her place.”
Savannah could barely breathe. That man’s disgusting eyes were locked on her like she was some kind of prize.
Her voice trembled with fury. “My sister is dead. She’s gone. Isn’t that enough for you people?”
Delilah blinked, then gave a breathy, disbelieving laugh. “Wow. You’re really going to drag your sister’s death into this? That’s your play now?”
“Admit it–you’re just trying to weasel out of a case you know you can’t win.”
Then she turned to Julian, all soft–spoken concern, “Julian, what do you think we should do?”
He didn’t answer right away. Just looked at Savannah for a long moment–cold, detached—before stepping forward and grabbing her
wrist.
“I told you,” he said quietly. “This trial is everything to Delilah. Don’t make this harder than it has to be.”
Savannah’s eyes turned bloodshot as she yanked her arm back. “I told you she’s dead. What do you want–her body in the courtroom?!”
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Julian’s eyes darkened with something that looked suspiciously like disappointment.
Then he shoved her toward the man.
“Take her.”
The man whistled low, triumphant, and reached for her.
Helen screamed and tried to run forward, but was blocked by one of the bodyguards.
Savannah, panicked, caught her mother’s eye and gave her the tiniest shake of her head. Stay back. I’ve
Then she lowered her head like she’d given up–let them think they’d won.
She let the man drag her out of the house. Let herself brush past Julian one last time.
And then, voice soft but steady, she said, “You just sold me off with your own hands, Julian. Hope you
She didn’t wait for a response.
Once they reached the car, the guards shoved her into the backseat beside the man.
The engine roared to life.
But Savannah wasn’t done.
The moment she spotted an opening–just a split second–she took it.
She threw herself out of the moving car.
got this.
www
”
don’t
regret it.‘
Her hands and knees hit the pavement hard, pain shooting through her limbs. But she didn’t stop. Limping and scraped straight into the woods.
She knew this road. Knew where it led.
”
up, she
ran-
The airport wasn’t far.
As she ran, her phone buzzed.
It was a message from her mother: [Savannah, I’m at the airport. If you can’t make it, I won’t board. I’m not leaving without you.]
Tears stung her eyes.
Ten minutes later, scraped, bruised, and breathless, Savannah stumbled into the terminal.
She found her mother. Together, they made it through security, collapsing into their seats only once they were finally safe.
As the boarding call echoed through the terminal, Savannah gripped her mother’s hand tightly.
Her voice was quiet. Steady.
“We’re finally getting out. We’re free.”
Chapter 9
