As we drove back, the silence was heavy, almost suffocating. Harrison kept his hands tightly on the steering wheel, eyes forward, focused. I glanced at him, seeing the strain etched into his face. Even with all we had been through together, there was a part of him that felt distant tonight distant and guarded.
Rachel was quiet in the back seat, her gaze locked on the road behind us, always alert. After Luca’s sudden appearance and the reveal about Mr. Blackwood’s lies, none of us felt safe anymore.
We were heading back to the small apartment Harrison had rented when he was recovering. After Adrianne had shot him, it had been our safe place, somewhere quiet and out of sight. But now, it didn’t feel like a safe haven. Not with the threat of Blackwood and Luca lurking.
But first, we needed to pick up my son. He had been staying with a trusted friend, Sophie, someone I’d known for years. I had left him there to keep him safe, but being apart from him, especially now, felt like I’d left a part of myself behind.
As we pulled up outside Sophie’s house, a wave of relief and worry washed over me. Harrison stopped the car and turned to look at me. “You sure Sophie’s still safe here?”
I nodded, though I felt a little uncertain. “Yes, Sophie wouldn’t let anything happen to him.” I trusted her with all my heart, but with everything going on, doubt still crept in.
Harrison gave a brief nod, understanding my worry. “Alright. Let’s get him, then.”
I stepped out of the car, my heart pounding. Rachel followed close behind, her presence steady and reassuring. When I knocked on Sophie’s door, it opened almost instantly. Sophie stood there, holding my son, and my heart melted the moment I saw him. His eyes brightened as he recognized me, reaching his little arms out with a wide smile.
“Mommy!” he called, and I couldn’t help but scoop him up, holding him close.
Sophie looked at me, concern in her eyes. “Are you alright? You all look like you’ve been through a lot.”
I forced a small smile. “We’re okay, Sophie. Just… things got more complicated. Thank you for watching him. I didn’t want him caught up in this mess.”
She nodded, worry still etched on her face. “Be careful, Emma. And if you need anything, you know where to find me.”
I squeezed her hand in gratitude before heading back to the car, cradling my son close. As I slid into the passenger seat with him on my lap, I could feel his small hands tugging at my hair, blissfully unaware of the danger we were facing. I couldn’t help but kiss his forehead, relieved to have him back in my arms.
The drive back to the apartment was silent once more. Harrison occasionally glanced over, as if checking to make sure we were all okay. When we finally arrived, he parked carefully and turned off the engine. We hurried inside, trying to avoid drawing any attention.
Inside, the small space felt even more cramped now, especially with the weight of everything that had happened. Harrison locked the door behind us, pausing to take a deep breath, like he was trying to gather himself.
Rachel settled in a chair, her eyes never leaving the window, while I sat on the couch, holding my son close. Harrison sat down beside me, his arm brushing against mine. I could feel his warmth, his steady presence. For a moment, it was enough to make me forget all the chaos outside these walls.
After a long silence, I finally spoke. “What now? We can’t just stay here forever.”
Harrison looked at me, his gaze steady but troubled. “I know. But right now, it’s the safest place for us. Blackwood and Luca… they’re both dangerous. If we make a move without a plan, we’ll be walking right into their trap.”
Rachel’s voice cut in from her place by the window. “We have to be smart. Blackwood’s already shown he’s willing to do anything to keep us under his thumb. And Luca…” She trailed off, her expression darkening.
My son shifted in my arms, looking up at me with wide, innocent eyes. He didn’t understand any of this, and I wished more than anything that I could protect him from it all. But I knew I couldn’t keep him shielded forever.
I looked at Harrison, my voice soft. “Why did you really call off the wedding with Adrianne?”
He looked at me, surprise flickering in his eyes. “Emma, I thought that was clear. I called it off because… I want to be here with you, with our son. Adrianne and I… that’s not the life I want.”
“But Adrianne doesn’t seem like the type to just let things go,” I replied, worry creeping into my voice. “She already hurt you once, Harrison. What’s stopping her from trying again?”
He sighed, his hand finding mine, fingers curling around mine in a firm grip. “I know. And I won’t pretend she won’t come after me again. But I couldn’t go through with it, Emma. I want to be here with you. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you both safe.”
Rachel turned her gaze toward us, a serious look on her face. “We can’t ignore the threat Adrianne and Blackwood pose. We need to be prepared for anything. This… this isn’t over. Not by a long shot.”
I nodded, the reality settling heavily on me. Our lives had changed forever, and there was no going back to the way things used to be.
As the night wore on, I could feel exhaustion tugging at me, but I knew sleep wouldn’t come easy. The memory of Luca’s words, the bitterness in his voice as he looked at Harrison, kept replaying in my mind. It was like he held some kind of grudge against us, some old wound that had been festering under the surface.
But there was also Blackwood. His influence loomed over everything, like a shadow we couldn’t escape. He’d taken so much from us already, and it was clear he wasn’t done yet. Harrison had told me bits and pieces about Blackwood’s twisted past with his parents, how he’d manipulated and controlled Harrison’s life for his own gain. But now, I was starting to see just how deep that control went.
I glanced at my son, who had fallen asleep in my arms, his small face peaceful and calm. He was the reason I couldn’t let fear win. No matter what happened, I would protect him, even if it meant standing up to Blackwood and Luca myself.
Rachel’s voice broke the silence. “We need a plan. Blackwood isn’t going to wait forever, and neither will Adrianne. If we’re going to make a stand, it has to be soon.”
Harrison nodded, his face set with determination. “You’re right. I’m done letting Blackwood control my life. And Luca… he’s not going to walk all over me, either.”
He looked at me, his gaze filled with a resolve I hadn’t seen before. “Emma, I know this isn’t the life you wanted. And I know I’ve made mistakes. But I promise you, I’ll keep you both safe. Whatever it takes.”
I reached out, taking his hand. “I believe you, Harrison. And we’re in this together, all of us.”
Rachel stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “We’re not alone, Emma. We’re stronger together.”
And as I looked around at the three of us, huddled together in that small apartment, I felt a spark of hope. We weren’t out of danger yet, not by a long shot. But for the first time, I believed that we could make it through this.
As dawn broke outside the window, casting a soft light across the room, I held my son close, feeling the warmth of Harrison’s hand in mine. Whatever lay ahead, we would face it together. And this time, we wouldn’t let Blackwood or anyone else tear us apart.