The black car cut through the night, leaving the hospital far behind. For a long time, Joanna remained silent, her hand resting protectively over her swollen belly. The rhythm of the engine was steady, but her mind swirled with chaos—Carson’s betrayal, Alice’s triumphant smirk, Amy’s mocking voice.
“Where are we going?” Joanna finally asked, her voice calm, though her body still trembled with exhaustion.
The man behind the wheel cast her a brief glance. His sharp profile was illuminated by passing streetlights, eyes steady and unreadable. “Somewhere safe. A place where they can’t reach you.”
His tone was matter-of-fact, but underneath it, Joanna detected something else—a promise, perhaps even a vow.
She studied him quietly. This was not the first time their paths had crossed. Once, years ago, he had offered his loyalty, but she had chosen Carson. At the time, she had believed in love, in bonds, in promises whispered beneath the moon. Now, those illusions were ashes.