Lizzy has spent her life running-from a childhood laced with humiliation and the dark shadows of her past. When she finally finds refuge with a family that offers her a fresh start, her fragile peace is shattered by Dorothy, their cruel and vindictive daughter. But everything changes when tragedy strikes-Dorothy's parents perish in a plane crash, leaving her trapped in an arranged marriage to the powerful and enigmatic Alexandro. Desperate to escape, Dorothy hatches a ruthless plan: Lizzy must take her place, sabotage the engagement, and make Alexandro despise her. Reluctantly, Lizzy steps into Dorothy's shoes, ready to play her part. But when she comes face-to-face with Alexandro's chaperone, the world stops. He isn't just any man-he's the ghost of her past, her tormentor from high school. Panic coils around her like a noose. Running seems like the only option, but the more she plans her escape, the more she's drawn to the man she should fear. Then, the unthinkable happens. One reckless night of passion changes everything. The boy who once tormented her has become the man who consumes her thoughts, her body, and her soul. But just as she surrenders to a dangerous desire, the walls start closing in. Dorothy returns with a revelation that shatters Lizzy's world-she, too, has shared a night with Alexandro... and she carries his child. As Lizzy reels from the betrayal, another nightmare resurfaces. Donald, a ghost from her haunted past, emerges with a threat that could destroy everything. With secrets suffocating her and lies spiraling out of control, Lizzy stands on the edge of devastation. Will Alexandro's love be strong enough to survive the storm? Or will the weight of deception, manipulation, and betrayal crush them both? One thing is certain-no one escapes the past unscathed.
Chapter 1 Escape
A knock sounded on my door and I cringed. I stared at the clock, it was just past one in the night,
"Open this door Dammit!" Came my cousin's voice and fear gripped me hard, not today. I thought as I shrunk back in fear. I didn't want to do anything with him. I whimpered in fear and the pounding on my door increased.
"Open this fucking door" he roared, and I flinched, knowing that if I didn't do so, if he saw me the next morning, then I was as good as dead. I walked timidly to the door and unlocked it, a hand snaked in and wrenched it wide open.
"You brat!" A hand caught my jaw and squeezed it and I cried out. My cousin stepped in looking furious. He pulled me to him, grabbing my backside roughly, and I squirmed at the uncomfortable touch, but that only made him squeeze harder and roughly.
"Who said you could lock the door?" he growled, and I shook my head. Knowing what was going to follow, I silently pleaded to the universe to not let it happen today.
"I am sorry! It won't happen again" I pleaded. He scowled and grabbed me and pushed me back onto the bed. His hand went for the belt and my eyes widened. No, no, no, I couldn't do this. I screamed, and he lunged for me and slapped me hard across the cheek. He mounted me and pressed into me, groaning. His hand went for the helm of my nightgown and yanked it up. I then did something I had never done.
I bit him hard on the shoulder, he yelled in pain and rolled away. I took the opportunity to scramble out of the bed and head for the door, but he was too fast. He grabbed my hair and pulled me back to the bed.
"You bitch" he said and tossed me back in the bed. He hitched my gown higher, and I started to cry. He shoved his lips against mine, groaning like a wild animal. As he reached for my breast. I let him capture one in his mouth before I slammed my fist so hard on his head that it hurt. He swore, and I slammed my knee into his groin and he yelled. I pushed him away and ran downstairs. I heard him swear and came after me.
I righted myself as I headed for the front door. He crashed into me and sent me tumbling to the floor. He grabbed my hands and pinned them above my head. I strained against him. But he wouldn't give in, he hitched my gown up again, and I started to feel his.......no! I thought and bucked against him with all my might. He made the mistake of losing my hands and I slapped him hard.
He didn't even flinch, but I grabbed a vase and smashed it on his head. He crumpled to the floor groaning in pain. Wasting no time, I righted myself and ran out into the dark night. I whimpered as my bare feet struck the hard ground. I started off at a jog, but I could hear Donald's deep voice behind me and I nearly screamed, but I increased my speed.
My feet pounded hard on the ground as I ran away. I could hear Donald's voice swearing and I knew I had to run faster to avoid getting caught. I veered off to the right and kept on running. Tears streamed down my face as the reality of what I had just escaped sank in. I kept on running unconsciously till I could no longer hear the voices chasing me and I stopped to catch my breath. I looked around, it was in the middle of the night and everyone had closed. The streets I was now in looked unfamiliar and I sighed, I must have run far enough.
I spotted a café in the distance and made a beeline for it. As I reached the Cafe, I stepped in and immediately sank into a chair, panting like a dog. I heard footsteps behind me and I whirled around so fast I wondered how I didn't break my neck in the process. I turned to see a kind face smiling sympathetically at me.
"Bad night?" the man asked. He looked to be in his forties. I nodded, still wary of him. I was particularly wary of any man. The man held a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and offered.
"Thanks" I said timidly and took the coffee from him and sipped it. At first, I drank it as it was hot, then I realized how cold I was.
"I saw you run in," he said and sat across from her, looking at her like a scared bird one need to gain its trust. In fact, that's how I felt. I didn't know if I could trust anyone, including him.
"Yes" I whispered, "Was running from......" I stopped, trying so hard to fight down the tears that were threatening to spill.
"It's fine you don't have to talk about it" he said, and I nodded.
"I was running from being raped for the fourth time" I said, and his eyes darkened in anger, surprised. He looked genuinely angry.
"Bastards" he muttered under his breath, and turned to me.
"I am sorry, but I have a proposition for you. How about you work for me? I really need an assistant. You should leave those dogs" he said, and I stared at him for a moment contemplating. Then I decided I had nothing left to lose and shrugged.
"Okay. I'll accept" I said, and he smiled kindly at me. He extended a hand;
"Darwin" he said simply, and I smiled for the first time in weeks.
"Elizabeth, you can call me......."
"Lizzy" he said with a smile and I grinned at him, he reminded me of my dad. In his good times.
"Exactly. Lizzy it is" I said, and he nodded, offering me a smile.