*Dad, I need to leave him.*
I projected the thought through our mental link, keeping my body entirely still on the mattress. Beside me, Ethan’s breathing had leveled out into the steady rhythm of sleep. Sophia lay tangled against his chest.
*Olivia?* Victor’s voice echoed in my mind, sharp and instantly awake. *Did he strike you? Tell me right now.*
*Worse,* I replied, staring into the dark shadows of the bedroom ceiling. *He is sleeping with Sophia. They are in my bed right now. And Dad... he just told her he plans to arrange a terrible accident for me tomorrow.*
Silence stretched across the telepathic connection. The sheer force of my father’s Alpha aura pushed through the link, making my temples throb.
*I am ending this marriage,* I added, my mental voice trembling. *I want to come home.*
*You do not need to explain yourself to me,* Victor stated, his tone leaving no room for argument. *The Ashbourne family protects its own. I am booking the jet right now. It will wait for you at the private airfield on the edge of town.*
*What if he stops me?*
*He will not have the chance. Play along until morning. Smile. Act like the perfect wife. Then walk out the door and never look back.*
*Thank you, Dad.*
*We are your pack, Olivia. We always have your back. Be at the airstrip by noon.*
The link severed. I lay frozen next to the two monsters who wanted me dead, counting the seconds until dawn.
***
Sunlight spilled across the kitchen island. I flipped a strip of bacon in the cast-iron skillet, letting the grease pop and sizzle.
Footsteps approached from the hallway. I forced my shoulders to drop, pasting a bright, easy smile on my face before turning around.
Ethan strolled into the kitchen, adjusting the cuffs of his tailored suit. He looked well-rested. Radiant, even.
"Morning, beautiful," Ethan said. He leaned in and pressed a kiss to my cheek.
My stomach churned at his touch. I gripped the handle of the spatula tightly. "Good morning. Breakfast is almost ready."
He pulled out a barstool and sat down, drumming his fingers on the marble counter. "My Beta mentioned you stopped by the hospital yesterday afternoon. Is everything okay? You aren't sick, are you?"
He was testing me. Trying to see if his nightly doses of sleeping pills were causing side effects I might complain about.
I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. "I feel fine. It was just a routine checkup. The doctor says I’m in perfect health."
"That’s a relief," Ethan replied smoothly. He reached out and tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear. "You know how much I worry about you, Liv. You need to take better care of yourself."
"I will," I said, keeping my tone perfectly flat.
"Good." He checked his gold wristwatch. "I have a massive board meeting tonight. We’re discussing the new territory expansion. I’ll probably be at the office until midnight, so don't wait up for me."
"I understand," I answered, sliding a plate of eggs and bacon in front of him.
Right on cue, Sophia sauntered into the kitchen. She wore a tight silk robe that barely covered her thighs.
"Morning, you two," Sophia chirped, pouring herself a cup of black coffee.
"Sleep well?" Ethan asked her, not missing a beat.
"Like a baby," Sophia smirked, locking eyes with him over the rim of her mug. She turned her attention to me. "Oh, Liv, I almost forgot to tell you. I’m heading to a friend’s party tonight. A bunch of us girls are getting together. I won't be coming home."
"Have fun," I told her, turning back to the stove so they couldn't see the disgust twisting my features.
A board meeting. A girl's night out.
They weren't even trying to be creative. They were just changing locations so they could screw without worrying about me waking up.
"I should get going," Ethan announced, pushing his half-empty plate away. He stood up and grabbed his briefcase from the hall table. "I love you, Liv. Stay safe today."
"Bye, Ethan."
Sophia set her coffee down. "I need to go get my nails done before the party. See you tomorrow, Liv!"
"See you," I echoed.
The front door clicked shut.
Silence descended on the massive house. I stood in the center of the kitchen for a long time, listening to the distant hum of the refrigerator.
They were gone.
I dropped the spatula onto the counter. My hands immediately flew to my flat stomach. I pressed my palms against the fabric of my shirt, feeling a sudden, fierce surge of protective instinct.
"Mommy is taking you to your real home," I whispered to my unborn pup. "They will never hurt us."
I didn't bother going to the master bedroom to pack clothes. Ethan had bought all those dresses. I didn't want anything that belonged to him.
Instead, I walked straight to my small study down the hall. I pulled open the bottom drawer of my desk and grabbed my passport, my identification cards, and a small stack of emergency cash. I shoved them into my leather purse.
Nothing else mattered.
I walked down the main hallway, passing framed photos of our wedding day. Ethan smiling at the camera. Me looking up at him with pure adoration.
Three years of my life, built on a mountain of lies.
I opened the front door and stepped out into the crisp morning air. I didn't look back at the sprawling estate. I just kept walking down the paved driveway toward the main gates.
A sleek black town car waited at the curb, sent by my father.
The driver stepped out and opened the rear door for me. "Miss Ashbourne. We need to leave immediately."
I slid into the backseat. The door slammed shut, sealing me inside the tinted interior.
"Take me to the airstrip," I instructed.
The engine roared to life. As the car pulled away from the curb, my phone buzzed violently in my purse.
I pulled it out and stared at the glowing screen.
*Ethan: Hey honey, my Beta just called. The brakes on your SUV are completely shot. Do not drive it today. I’m sending a mechanic over right now.*
My blood turned to ice.
He wasn't trying to warn me. He was establishing an alibi.
Suddenly, a heavy thud echoed from the roof of my hired car. The vehicle swerved sharply, tires squealing against the asphalt.
"What was that?" I shouted, grabbing the back of the driver's seat.
The driver didn't answer. He slumped forward over the steering wheel, a silver dart protruding from the side of his neck.
The car veered wildly toward the steep embankment at the edge of the road, picking up speed.
