The following morning, Ella’s phone buzzed again. This time, it was Derek calling. She answered, her voice low so as not to wake the boys.
“What’s the latest?” she asked, her heart pounding.
“Tania’s losing control,” Derek replied. “She’s becoming reckless. I heard from one of my contacts that she’s started asking around publicly. That means she’s close, Ella. You need to act fast.”
Ella’s breath caught in her throat. She had been running for so long, but it felt like the walls were finally closing in on her. “And what about Fabian? Is he still looking for me?”
Derek hesitated before answering. “Yes, but it’s complicated. I think Fabian’s conflicted. He’s working with Crystal, but from what I’ve heard, he’s trying to keep her from finding you too quickly. He’s stalling her.”
Ella sank into her chair, her mind spinning. Fabian was walking a dangerous line, and she wasn’t sure if she could trust him anymore. But if he was truly stalling Crystal, it meant he was still on her side at least partially.
Ella ran a hand through her tangled hair, exhaustion weighing on her. The past few months of running, hiding, and plotting had taken a toll. The thought of Tania closing in made her skin prickle with unease. She couldn’t risk staying here any longer. The boys’ safety was her priority, and if Tania was becoming reckless, they were all in greater danger than ever.
“I need to move,” she whispered, more to herself than to Derek. “I can’t stay here.”
Derek’s voice was grim but understanding. “You have a plan?”
Ella nodded, though he couldn’t see her. “I’ll pack up tonight and head to another safe house. I’ve got one set up in the outskirts of the city, farther from here.”
“Good,” Derek said. “But be careful. Don’t leave any traces behind. Tania’s desperate now, and desperate people are unpredictable.”
Ella looked over at her sleeping sons, their peaceful faces a stark contrast to the chaos swirling around them. She had already uprooted their lives too many times, but she couldn’t stop now. Not until Tania was no longer a threat.
“Derek, I’ll need your help,” she murmured. “Can you arrange transportation? Something discreet. I don’t want to draw attention.”
“Consider it done,” Derek assured her. “I’ll have a driver outside your place by midnight. But Ella… be ready for anything. Tania’s closer than you think.”
After the call ended, Ella stood in the middle of the room, her heart heavy with the weight of what she had to do. She quietly began packing essentials, careful not to wake Leo and Liam. Every movement felt like a countdown, like time slipping through her fingers faster than she could keep up.
She moved silently, grabbing clothes, documents, and their most valuable belongings. Her mind raced as she packed a small bag for each of the boys, her instincts telling her that the moment they left this place, there was no turning back.