CHAPTER 4

Chapter 4: Face-to-Face

As Hardin's eyes pierced Nora's soul, her heart fell. Alex's eyes went wide with fear.

According to Alex, "Who are you?"

Hardin's grin contorted.

He declared, "I'm her husband," in a possessive tone.

As Hardin's soldiers surrounded them, Nora's denial died on her lips.

"Let's go, little wife," Hardin commanded, encircling her wrist with his hand.

Hardin's hold tightened as Nora fought.

Alex tried to step in, but was beaten down by Hardin's men.

Alex gave Nora a troubled look as they pulled her away.

Hardin's quiet was more unsettling than his comments as the automobile raced through Manhattan.

Nora's thoughts whirled. He found her, but how?

What was it he desired?

At a sleek building, the vehicle came to a stop. Hardin's office.

As Hardin escorted her to his office, Nora shuddered.

Hardin continued, "You ran from me, Nora," in a low, threatening voice.

When Nora said, "I won't be held captive," she spat.

Hardin's gaze flickered.

"You're my wife. You'll obey me."

Hardin's eyes pierced Nora's, and her defiance wavered.

A knock abruptly broke the tension.

"Enter," said Hardin.

Judy, a beautiful woman, entered.

Judy remarked, "Sir, the meeting is waiting,"

Hardin kept looking at Nora.

"Tell them I'm busy."

Judy's gaze grew strained.

"With her?"

Hardin tightened his hold on Nora's wrist as his eyes hardened at Judy.

"Yes, with my wife," he said sarcastically, stressing the word "wife."

Judy nodded and hurried out of the room when her eyes flashed with something unfathomable.

When Nora found herself alone in Hardin's office, her heart thumped in her chest. She shuddered in spite of herself because she could feel his keen gaze on her.

Saying, "Sit," he gestured to a chair in front of his desk.

After a brief moment of hesitation, Nora grudgingly complied. For the time being, at least until she could find a way out, she realized she had to comply.

Hardin sat behind the desk and stared at her the entire time.

His voice was dangerously calm as he questioned, "Why did you run, Nora?"

Nervously, Nora swallowed to collect her thoughts.

"I was afraid.she said,"I had no idea who you were or what you wanted from me."

Hardin's demeanor was still enigmatic, but his eyes softened a little.

"I can see why you might be afraid, but you must have faith in me. With a softer tone now, he declared, "I would never hurt you."

His statements caused a glimmer of uncertainty in Nora's mind. She had experienced too much to be readily trusted.

"Hardin, I must know the truth. You married me, but why? How did you discover me, too? With intensity in her voice, she asked.

Hardin let out a deep sigh, as though the entire world were resting on his shoulders.

"I had to marry you for a variety of reasons. It came down to life or death. He gave a cryptic response, "And as for how I found you... let's just say I have my ways."

Nora's forehead wrinkled in perplexity. 'A matter of life and death'—what did he mean?

There was a tap on the door before she could continue.

"What is it?" Hardin yelled, his eyes growing icy.

A man in a dapper suit entered through the open door, his gaze flitting between Hardin and Nora.

The man remarked, "Sir, we have a situation," in an urgent tone.

Hardin got up from his desk, his mouth tensed.

His tone was cold as he questioned, "What kind of situation?"

After a moment of hesitation, the man spoke.

"Sir, that's the other gang. They are preparing an assault on our land. We must move quickly," he clarified.

The news made Hardin's face darken. His eyes blazed with resolve as he turned to face Nora.

"You remain here. He walked out of the room, leaving Nora alone once more, saying, "I have business to attend to."

Nora's head was full with questions and ideas. She had married what kind of man? And into what perilous world had she inadvertently ventured?

The uneasiness that had taken root in the pit of her stomach persisted while she sat in the deserted office. She had to get out of this predicament as quickly as possible.

Judy snuck back into the room, her eyes wide with worry, as the door creaked open.

"You must leave this place, Nora. She said urgently, "Hardin is not who you think he is."

Nora's eyes became wide with surprise. What was Judy trying to say? What was the reason for her warning?

Judy rushed on before she could say anything more.

"You wouldn't believe what I've witnessed. With sincere worry in her voice, she continued, "You must leave, before it's too late."

As Nora thought about what Judy had said, her heart pounded. Was she someone she could trust? Or had all of this been a ruse to trick her?

However, she saw nothing but sincerity as she peered into Judy's eyes. She might be the ally Nora needs to get out of this perilous circumstance.

"All right, you have my trust. However, how can we leave this place? Trying to think of a plan, Nora returned the whisper.

Judy swiftly laid out a strategy for their escape, her eyes glimmering with resolve. After they waited until nightfall, they would flee through the building's rear entrance.

As Nora waited for the darkness to fall, her heart thumped in her chest. She had to be prepared since she knew the time of truth was drawing near.

Judy finally gave Nora a signal as nightfall engulfed the city. It was time for them to strike.

Nora was terrified that they would be discovered at any time as they slipped through the building's dark hallways. However, Judy was like a shadow, guiding her effortlessly through the labyrinth of corridors.

Without any problems, they arrived at the rear exit, but as they pushed open the heavy door, a man emerged from the shadows, obstructing their way.

It was Hardin, with angry flashes in his eyes.

"Where do you think you're going, Nora?" His voice was venomous as he spat.

When Nora saw that their escape plot had been thwarted, her heart fell. There was no way out of their predicament.

With her eyes burning with defiance, Judy took a step forward.

"Hardin, we're heading out. She said steadily, "You can't keep her here against her will."

Hardin's eyes grew icy as he held up his hand, beckoning his men to come out of the darkness and encircle Judy and Nora.

"Nora, I told you to remain where you were. He sneered and tightened his hold on her wrist once again. "You should have listened."

When Nora realized how serious the situation was, she felt a wave of terror. There was no escape for her.

She was about to give up when there was a huge crash that reverberated throughout the building. The sound of gunfire echoed through the walls.

As everyone frantically sought shelter, chaos broke out, and Nora witnessed Alex rush through the rear exit, his eyes blazing with despair.

"We must leave, Nora. He said, "Now!" with a sense of urgency.

As Nora followed Alex through the turmoil, avoiding gunfire and debris as they fled for their life, her heart leapt with hope.

However, a man appeared in front of them, obstructing their way just as they were ready to enter the safety of the streets.

It was Hardin, with fury in his eyes.

"Nora, you can never get away from me. "You are mine," he hissed, his voice full of hate.

When Nora learned how dangerous she really was, her heart fell. To claim her as his own, Hardin would do whatever it took.

She knew, however, that they would not be defeated easily as she gazed into Alex's brave and determined eyes.

Nora took a deep breath and braced herself to face whatever problems lay ahead as sirens screamed in the distance, signifying the authorities' imminent approach.

She would do whatever it took to keep herself and the people she loved safe because she realized at that very moment that she was responsible for her own destiny.

The struggle was only getting started, and the night was far from over. However, Nora remained resolute, with Alex by her side, confident that they would confront any challenge together.

In light of it, Nora prepared herself for the battle of her life, prepared to take on any obstacles that might arise.