Chapter 22: Beneath the Surface

Nathaniel barely took the time to grab his car keys before bolting out of his penthouse. The message from Elina echoed in his mind like an alarm bell: Arabella's not picking up. Something's wrong.

He hadn't stopped thinking about her since he left her apartment. The anguish in her eyes, the vulnerability she tried to conceal — it all haunted him. Despite the pain her deception had caused, he couldn't bring himself to walk away. Not when every instinct inside him screamed that she was in danger.

Traffic blurred past as he sped through the city, his fingers gripping the steering wheel tightly. The silence between them was broken, shattered by truth — but now it was the silence from her that frightened him more. Arabella was strong, yes, but not invincible. And if someone had found her… someone like Jason…

His jaw clenched at the thought. He had read through parts of the file his private investigator had compiled on Arabella — or Isabella. A high-profile marriage that ended in scandal, betrayal, and disappearance. She had vanished, presumed dead. Now he understood why.

But who else had found her?

Nathaniel pulled into the underground garage of Arabella's building and took the stairs two at a time. His knocks on her door went unanswered.

"Arabella!" he called, pounding again.

No response.

Adrenaline surged through him. He reached for the spare key he had once secretly copied, knowing she would scold him if she ever found out. Right now, he didn't care.

The door clicked open, and he stepped into darkness.

"Arabella?" he called again.

The apartment was silent, too silent. Furniture stood untouched, lights off, curtains drawn. The only sound was the faint hum of the refrigerator.

And then — a soft rustle.

He turned sharply toward the bedroom. The door was ajar.

Nathaniel pushed it open cautiously, half-expecting the worst.

Arabella sat on the floor beside the bed, knees drawn to her chest, her face pale and eyes haunted. She didn't even look up as he entered.

His breath caught. "Arabella?"

She turned slowly, startled. "Nathaniel?"

He rushed to her side. "What happened? Are you hurt?"

She shook her head, but tears streamed down her cheeks. "He called me."

His stomach dropped. "Jason?"

She nodded, her voice hoarse. "He knows where I am. He said he's in town… that he has a surprise."

Nathaniel swore under his breath. He should have known. The deeper he dug into Arabella's past, the more he exposed her to the very thing she had fled from.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "This is all my fault. I shouldn't have—"

"No," he cut her off, taking her face in his hands. "Don't do that. Don't blame yourself for his evil. You did what you had to do to survive."

Her eyes searched his, disbelief flickering in them. "Even after everything I hid from you?"

Nathaniel hesitated only for a moment. "I was angry, yes. But I was never going to walk away. I just needed time to understand why. And now… I don't care about your name, Arabella. Or what you've been through. I care about you. And I won't let him touch you."

Her lips quivered. "I'm scared, Nathaniel."

"I know," he said gently, pulling her into his arms. "But you're not alone anymore."

---

Across the city, Jason King sat in a darkened room of a luxury suite, swirling a glass of scotch in his hand. On the table before him lay a series of photographs — all of Arabella. Smiling in a coffee shop, walking through the plaza with Elina, standing beside Nathaniel King. Her new life looked perfect.

Too perfect.

He smirked.

"You thought you could escape me, Isabella," he muttered, dragging his thumb across her face in one of the photos. "You're wrong. You were mine once… and I don't like unfinished business."

A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.

"Come in," he said coolly.

A tall, sharply dressed man entered. "We've confirmed it. She's living under the name Arabella Moore. Working for Nathaniel King. And they're involved… romantically."

Jason's eyes darkened. "Of course she is. Always running to the next powerful man."

"Should we proceed with the plan?"

He sipped his scotch. "Not yet. Let her think she's safe. Then we strike."

---

Back at Arabella's apartment, Nathaniel remained by her side. He had called Elina and assured her that Arabella was safe, but he could hear the worry in her voice. Elina wanted to come over immediately, but Arabella asked for time — and privacy.

Arabella lay curled against Nathaniel on the couch, her head resting on his chest. For the first time in hours, she felt a sliver of safety — but not peace. Never peace.

"I can't go through it again," she whispered. "Being hunted… feeling powerless."

Nathaniel stroked her hair. "You won't. We'll make sure of that."

"We?" she murmured.

"Yes. You, me… and everyone who cares about you. Elina. My security team. We'll protect you."

Arabella looked up at him, her voice barely audible. "Do you believe me now? About who I am?"

He gazed into her eyes, his thumb brushing her cheek.

"I believe in you, Arabella. That's all that matters."

The next morning, Arabella stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection. Dark circles shadowed her eyes, remnants of the fear and sleepless night that clung to her like smoke. Her hands trembled as she applied a light touch of makeup, but nothing could hide the ache in her chest or the war raging in her mind.

Nathaniel entered quietly, holding a steaming cup of coffee. He watched her for a moment, the worry etched in his face deeper than any spoken word.

"You don't have to go in today," he said softly, handing her the cup. "Take the day off. Rest."

Arabella shook her head, forcing a tired smile. "If I hide now, I'll never stop hiding. I can't let Jason win again."

Nathaniel didn't argue. He admired her strength, even though it scared him. "At least let me assign someone to shadow you. Discreetly."

"Fine," she said after a pause. "But I won't act like a prisoner. Not anymore."

As they stepped out of the apartment, Arabella clutched her bag tightly, her eyes scanning the street. Every shadow seemed suspicious. Every glance lingered too long. Nathaniel placed a reassuring hand at the small of her back, guiding her to the car.

He had already contacted his head of security, Thomas, who now waited in a sleek black SUV a few cars behind. He would follow her at a distance, never too close to alarm her, but close enough to intervene if needed.

At the office, Arabella tried to carry herself with calm professionalism. But Elina noticed the tension in her eyes instantly. After a brief morning meeting, she cornered her in the hallway.

"You didn't answer my texts last night," Elina said softly. "You scared me."

"I'm sorry," Arabella replied, her voice quiet. "I was just... overwhelmed."

Elina squeezed her arm. "Don't do that again. Please. If you need anything—anything at all—you call me. I don't care what time it is."

Arabella smiled faintly. "Thank you."

Elina glanced around to ensure no one was listening. "Did he really call you?"

Arabella nodded.

"Are we talking about the same man from your past?"

"Yes. Jason's in the city."

Elina's face paled. "God... do you think he'll try something?"

"I don't know. But Nathaniel's taking precautions."

Elina hesitated, then asked the question hanging in the air. "Do you still trust him?"

Arabella looked away, her fingers tightening around her notebook. "I don't know. Part of me wants to... but the other part keeps wondering what else he hasn't told me."

Elina sighed. "Arabella, you've both been hiding things. But if he's standing by you now—especially when things are dangerous—that has to mean something."

---

Meanwhile, at King Enterprises' executive floor, Nathaniel sat in his office, poring over new security reports. His phone buzzed.

Thomas.

"Yes?" Nathaniel answered quickly.

"She arrived at the office safely. No signs of being followed. But I did notice a man loitering across the street from the building for about fifteen minutes before she walked in. Late thirties, average build, black hoodie and sunglasses. He walked away when I approached."

Nathaniel's jaw clenched. "Keep eyes on that perimeter. And increase surveillance around her building."

"Yes, sir."

After ending the call, Nathaniel stared out of the floor-to-ceiling windows of his office. The city skyline spread before him, but it felt like a battlefield. He hated the idea of Arabella walking through her day in fear while some monster hunted her from the shadows.

Suddenly, his door opened.

Victoria King.

His mother walked in with her usual elegance and commanding presence, dressed in a tailored gray suit and pearl earrings. Her eyes narrowed slightly when she saw the look on his face.

"I see you've been brooding again."

"Mother," Nathaniel said flatly. "Now's not the best time."

"Nonsense. There's never a perfect time with you." She walked to the seat across from his desk and sat down, crossing her legs. "So... where is she?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Arabella?"

She nodded.

"At work."

Victoria gave him a pointed look. "You should've brought her here. If what I've read is accurate, she's not safe."

He stiffened. "You've been digging into her?"

"Please. I'm a King. Of course I did. I needed to know what was hiding beneath the surface. And what I found was a frightened woman who's been running for years." Her tone softened slightly. "You care for her."

"I do."

"Then bring her in. Protect her properly. If anything happens to her, you'll never forgive yourself."

Nathaniel didn't reply, but the storm in his eyes confirmed her words had struck home.

---

By late afternoon, Arabella sat at her desk trying to focus. Numbers blurred together on her screen. Her mind wandered, chasing memories she wished she could erase. Jason's threats. The night she fled. The bruises. The fear.

Her phone buzzed. It was a text from an unknown number.

"We're not done. I'm closer than you think. — J"

Her heart dropped.

She stood up too fast, knocking her chair backward. Elina, who had just walked in, rushed to her.

"What is it? What happened?"

Arabella handed her the phone.

Elina read the message, her eyes darkening. "That bastard... we need to go. Right now."

Arabella hesitated, but her legs were already moving. Elina held her hand tightly as they rushed to the elevator.

By the time they reached the lobby, Thomas was already waiting in the shadows. He stepped forward the moment he saw Arabella's pale face.

"We're leaving," Elina told him. "She just got a message. From him."

Thomas nodded and ushered them into the car. "We're heading straight to Mr. King's residence. It's the most secure."

Arabella didn't argue. Her fingers trembled as she clutched her bag. Fear sat heavy in her chest, but something else stirred too — anger. She had spent too long being afraid. Jason didn't get to control her life anymore.

---

When they arrived at the King penthouse, Nathaniel was already waiting, flanked by two members of his personal security team.

Arabella stepped out of the car, and Nathaniel rushed to her.

"I'm so sorry," she whispered. "I didn't think—"

"Shh. It's okay," he said, wrapping his arms around her. "You're safe now."

Inside, Victoria stood near the window, arms crossed. When Arabella entered, she gave a polite nod.

"You must be Arabella. I've heard... a great deal."

Arabella stood tall despite the tremble in her knees. "Yes. And I'm sure most of it doesn't paint me in the best light."

Victoria's lips twitched. "Perhaps not. But I believe in second chances. Especially when my son's involved."

Arabella blinked, surprised by the response. "Thank you."

Nathaniel led her to the guest room, then pulled her into a quiet corner.

"I won't let anything happen to you," he promised again. "But I need to know something."

She looked at him, her eyes wary.

"If Jason makes a move... if it becomes a legal matter... are you willing to go public with the truth?"

Arabella hesitated, fear flickering behind her eyes. "You mean… tell the world who I really am?"

"Yes. You don't have to decide now. But if we're going to stop him for good, we may need to expose him. Legally, publicly."

Arabella turned away, walking to the large window. The city glowed beneath the night sky, vibrant and loud — a stark contrast to the silence in her soul.

"I don't want to live in fear anymore," she said finally. "If that means telling my story… then I will."

Nathaniel came to her side, slipping his hand into hers.

"We'll face it together."