Talia's POV
I was lost in my thoughts.
Am I going to depend on everyone for the rest of my life?
No.
I can't.
Ethan will come back soon. And when he does, he'll ask me for a divorce. If I divorce him, it will be the end of everything. And if he ever finds out about my child—
No.
No.
For my child's sake, I can't let that happen.
Emily won't let me go if she keeps me beside her. And if I stay, the Miller family will cut ties with her family. Their business will suffer.
I can't do that to her.
I have to go.
I took out my phone and checked my savings from the past two years. Enough to live peacefully for a few months.
But now I wasn't alone.
"Busy?"
I startled so badly my phone almost slipped from my hand.
"Oh—no, not busy," I said quickly. "You've brought food... that looks delicious."
Aden furrowed his brows, studying me closely.
"Lia—"
Ring. Ring.
"Sorry," he apologized, already answering the call.
I watched him move toward the window, his voice low, distracted.
My fingers tightened around my phone.
I booked the earliest flight I could find. I didn't know the town. I had never heard its name before.
I didn't care.
I just clicked and booked.
Aden returned, smiling gently.
"Sorry. I have a meeting zaden is out of city so I gotta go, I called Emi—she's coming over. We'll meet at night. I'll pick you up."
His eyes stayed on mine for more than five seconds.
Then he left.
My heart began to race violently.
This is my chance.
I forcefully removed the saline as I stood up, pain shooting through my hand. The room spun, dizziness washing over me.
I don't have time.
I checked the clock.
Emily would arrive soon.
I grabbed a piece of paper. My hands shook as I wrote.
⸻
Emily,
I hope you won't hold any grudge against me.
Please trust me when I say I will come back.
I have to go—for now.
Take care of yourself.
Tears blurred my vision as I folded the letter.
I stood up, grabbed my coat and phone, and ran downstairs. My head felt light my body weak—but I ignored it.
Outside, I saw a taxi.
"Where, madam?"
"Any nearby mall."
I paid and ran through the crowd, my chest burning. At the ATM, two people stood in front of me.
"Please," I said breathlessly. "I'll lend you money—just let me go first."
They moved aside.
I withdrew everything.
All of it.
The weight of the cash in my purse felt unreal. I hurried to the nearest store, changed into different clothes, bought a new suitcase, and stuffed the money and a few essentials inside.
No looking back.
I waved another taxi.
"Where?"
"Airport."
I ran, praying I wasn't late.
"Hey—hey, I booked a flight to—"
"Ma'am," the staff interrupted calmly, "take a breath. Let me check."
My heart hammered as she looked at the screen.
"Oh... okay. You've got 20 minutes left before boarding."
I exhaled shakily, relief crashing through me as my feet carried me forward.
I didn't know it then, but the fear in my heart wasn't fear at all—it was a warning...