The crash of the window echoed like thunder through the stillness of the night. Celeste felt glass rain around her, each shard a reminder of how fragile safety could be. The hammer lay on the seat, its metal head smeared with splinters of broken glass. Adrian's chest rose and fell in slow, controlled breaths, but she saw the tension in his shoulders as he squared them against her attacker.
Bianca stumbled back, clutching her hand at the edge of her palm where a fragment of the window had nicked her. Her breath came in ragged bursts. Cold headlights from her limo stretched her shadow across the asphalt, making her silhouette loom huge and twisted.
"Let her go," Adrian said, voice steady but low enough that only Bianca and Celeste could hear. His hand hovered near the hammer as if poised to strike.
Bianca laughed, a broken sound. "You'll leave me no choice, Adrian. You brought her back into my city—into my life. Now you'll pay." She raised her free hand, and in the dim light Celeste saw the envelope pinned between her fingers.
"What do you want, Bianca?" Adrian asked. His gaze never wavered.
Bianca's breath hissed between her teeth. She held up the envelope, turning it so they could see the torn flap. "Your secrets are in here. And if you don't come quietly to the manor by dawn, I'll shred every hope you have of a normal life. Including the boy's."
Adrian took a step forward. "You'll never hurt him."
She rolled her eyes. "Prove it. Don't show up, and he disappears." She spat the words like venom.
Celeste felt ice crawl into her veins. She swallowed. She looked at Adrian and saw the conflict in his eyes. He glanced at her, and she nodded imperceptibly.
In one fluid motion he lifted the hammer and flung it away from the car, sending it spinning into the dark woods. Bianca's laugh cracked the night air again.
"Brave gesture," she sneered, "but you're trapped. And so is she."
Adrian shifted, sliding into the darkness between the limo and their car. Bianca took a step back, her heels clicking on the asphalt. Celeste moved to Adrian's side, pressing herself next to him. Her head came only to his shoulder height now. She felt his warmth through her jacket.
Bianca advanced an inch. "I'll give you until dawn."
"No," Celeste said, her voice clear and unwavering. She stepped forward, surprising both siblings. "I won't hide. I'm done running. If she wants to end this, let's end it." Her voice cracked but held steel.
Bianca paused, brow furrowing. She stared at Celeste as if seeing her for the first time. Something shifted in her expression—surprise, maybe respect, or the realization that her victim would no longer be cowed.
Adrian reached for Celeste's hand, but she pulled free. She lifted her chin and faced Bianca. The moonlight hit her hair, lighting it like flame. "If you want a war, you'll get one. But you'll lose." She won't hurt him. Not if I can help it.
Bianca's lips curled in a slow, dangerous smile. She tapped the envelope against her palm. "We'll see." Then she turned, each step measured, and climbed back into her limo. The driver slipped behind the wheel without a word. The engine hummed alive, and the car backed up slowly.
Celeste and Adrian watched until the limo disappeared around the bend. The forest seemed to sigh around them, leaves brushing like ghostly hands against the car.
Adrian lowered his voice. "Are you all right?"
Celeste's legs trembled. She exhaled, bracing her hands on the car roof. She met his gaze and nodded.
He reached for her, helping her steady herself. He brushed a strand of hair away from her face and examined the bruise on her cheek. "We have to move Noah." His tone held both command and concern.
Her mind spun. "Where?" she whispered.
He stared down the dark road. Without hesitation, he reached for his phone. He thumbed across the screen, making a single call. Within seconds, a voice answered.
"It's me. Bring the boy and Celeste to the safe house. Make sure no one follows you. Understood?"
He ended the call. He handed her his phone. On the screen was a map with a marked location—an unmarked house on the edge of town, miles from the estate.
Celeste glanced at the map. She bit her lip. "We can't leave tonight. Carmen needs time to get him."
Adrian nodded. "I'll go myself. Get you to safety." He gestured toward her trembling hands. "You go to Carmen's with enough clothes for Noah. I'll join you after I secure the house."
She shook her head. "No. We stick together." Her voice cracked around the words but did not waver.
He studied her. In the faint glow he saw the resolve in her green eyes. "Are you sure?"
She nodded. "I need you. He needs you." She touched her hand to her chest where her heart ached for her son.
He exhaled. His gaze flicked to the forest. "Then we go now." He opened the passenger door. She got inside, closing it gently behind her. He moved to the driver's side.
The headlights cut a path through the trees as he eased the car forward. Every boot heel click and every distant animal cry made her pulse race. Her eyes stayed fixed on the rearview mirror, waiting for Bianca's limousine.
The road curved, gravel crunching under tires. They passed farms shuttered against the night. She saw fences, barns, and empty fields bathed in moonlight.
Finally, they reached Carmen's cottage. The warm glow of the lamp greeted them like hope. She opened the door and stepped inside, mud on her heels. Carmen looked up from her desk, alarm flickering in her eyes.
"Celeste, you shouldn't have..." she began.
Celeste held up a finger. "No time. Grab his suitcase by the door."
Carmen nodded and hurried to a nook near the stairs. She handed Celeste a small duffel bag. Celeste zipped it closed and swung the strap over her shoulder.
Adrian stepped inside. He closed the door and peered out the window. "No sign of her."
Celeste exhaled. She held the bag close. Carmen moved behind the counter, her face pale but determined. "He's asleep. I'll get him ready." She turned and climbed the stairs.
Celeste and Adrian faced each other. The air between them crackled with fear and something else—something softer, unspoken.
He lowered his voice. "I'm sorry I couldn't protect you." His lips quivered.
She met his gaze. She placed a hand over her heart and shook her head. "You will."
He reached for her. She leaned into him, and he wrapped his arms around her. She rested her head against his chest, hearing the steady beat of his heart.
They stood in silence until they heard Noah's small footsteps on the stairs. His sleepy voice drifted down.
"Mama?"
Celeste pulled back, wiping her eyes. She pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "Yes, baby. I'm here."
Noah's face appeared at the top of the stairs. He rubbed his eyes and yawned. Adrian stepped forward, scooped him into his arms, and pressed a kiss to his forehead.
Noah blinked up at them. "Why are you both here?"
She knelt beside him. She hugged him close and kissed his cheek. "We're all together now."
He turned to Adrian. "I thought you didn't want me." His voice trembled.
Adrian knelt in front of him. "I've always wanted you. I'm sorry I didn't find you sooner."
Noah hugged Adrian's neck. Celeste watched, tears shining in her eyes.
At that moment, Carmen appeared with a small backpack. She handed it to Celeste. "Packed for a quick getaway."
Celeste took it. She thanked Carmen with a nod.
Adrian held Noah's hand as they walked to the door. Celeste turned, her heart heavy and hopeful.
They stepped into the night. The cottage light dimmed behind them.
Ahead lay the safe house. But dawn would bring Bianca's ultimatum.
And they had to decide what they were willing to risk to protect each other.