Chapter 12 - Running Away or Running From?

The sun cast a golden glow over the quiet villa, nestled in the hills far from the chaos of the city. Birds chirped in the distance, and the scent of fresh rain lingered in the air.

It was beautiful. Peaceful.

But Eve couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right.

She stood by the window, arms crossed, staring at the unfamiliar skyline.

This wasn't home.

Damian walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "You're thinking again," he murmured against her ear.

She sighed, leaning into his warmth. "I can't help it."

He turned her gently, making her face him. "Talk to me."

Eve hesitated, searching his eyes. "Did we do the right thing, Damian? Leaving like this?"

His jaw tensed. "We didn't have a choice."

"Didn't we?" she countered. "We could have fought back. We could have faced them."

A shadow flickered across his expression. "And what would that have solved? Nathan is obsessed with you. Vanessa will do anything to destroy me. If we stayed, they would have found new ways to come between us."

Eve swallowed hard. "But running doesn't make them disappear."

Damian's grip tightened slightly. "No. But it buys us time."

She studied him, trying to understand the storm brewing beneath his calm exterior. "Are you really okay with this?"

His eyes darkened, something unreadable flickering across his face. "As long as you're safe, I don't care where we are."

Eve exhaled shakily. "And what if I don't feel safe? What if this isn't enough?"

Damian's expression turned unreadable. "Are you saying you regret leaving?"

She hesitated. "I don't regret us. But I don't want to live in fear, Damian. I don't want to spend my life running."

Silence hung between them.

Then, suddenly

A sharp knock at the door.

Eve stiffened. Damian's entire body went rigid.

Her pulse pounded.

They weren't supposed to have visitors. No one knew they were here.

Damian reached for the gun hidden in the drawer by the door, his expression dark, dangerous.

Eve's heart raced.

Had their past already caught up to them?

Nowhere Feels Safe

Damian's grip on the gun was firm, his body positioned protectively in front of Eve as he approached the door.

Another knock.

Sharp. Measured.

Eve's breath caught. Every muscle in her body was tense as she watched Damian unlock the door and yank it open.

A delivery man stood there, holding a package.

"Delivery for Mr. Carter," the man said, glancing between them.

Damian didn't move. Didn't blink.

Eve's stomach twisted at the sound of that name. Carter. His real name. A name no one should know here.

Damian slowly lowered the gun but didn't take his eyes off the man. "Who sent this?"

The delivery man hesitated. "No sender listed. Just a note that it's urgent."

Damian reached out, taking the package. The man nodded and walked away.

The moment the door shut, Eve exhaled shakily. "That was"

"Too much of a coincidence," Damian muttered, inspecting the package.

Eve crossed her arms, her pulse still racing. "You think Nathan or Vanessa sent it?"

Damian didn't answer. He carefully opened the package.

Inside was a single item.

A black chess piece.

The king.

Eve swallowed hard. "What does it mean?"

Damian stared at it, his expression unreadable. "It means we're not as invisible as we thought."

Eve shivered. The villa had felt safe. A chance to breathe. But now…

She wasn't so sure.

And for the first time since they left, she realized,

They couldn't keep running forever.

The Determination

Damian stared at the chess piece, his jaw tightening. The quiet paranoia in his eyes turned into something else determination.

Eve knew that look.

"We're going back," he said, his voice sharp with finality.

Her stomach twisted. "Back? You just said we weren't invisible anymore. Why would we"

"Because running isn't working." He turned to her, his gaze burning with something raw. "If we stay hidden, we're waiting for them to strike. I won't live like that. You shouldn't have to live like that."

Eve folded her arms. "And walking back into their game is a better idea?"

Damian smirked darkly. "No, sweetheart. Walking back in means ending their game."

Eve swallowed hard. He wasn't just talking about confronting Nathan and Vanessa. He was talking about destroying them before they could strike again.

She let out a shaky breath. "Then what's the plan?"

His eyes softened for a brief moment. "I'm going to handle it. You're staying safe."

Eve stepped forward. "Damian"

"No." His voice was firm. "This isn't up for debate."

Her chest tightened. "You don't get to decide that."

A storm flickered in his gaze. He cupped her face, his thumb brushing her cheek. "I will never let anyone take you from me, Eve."

Something in his voice sent a shiver down her spine.

This wasn't just about fighting back.

Damian Blackwood was going to win.

And he would burn everything down to do it.