That thought lives rent-free in my mind every minute that we spend together.
It guts me deeply because of the connection we’ve formed. Or maybe it’s just the connection I’ve formed with him. Will he help my father track me and kill me when I finally dare to make my escape?
I hope not.
When Kaden is completely out of view, I dip into the bathroom for a shower before getting ready for bed.
I’m just pulling on an oversized sleep shirt, hair still damp and skin warm from the shower, when there’s a gentle knock at my door. My stomach flips. I crack the door open, and there he is in all his gorgeous, dark glory.
Kaden stands on the other side, hands by his sides. His eyes flick over me, pausing at my damp hair. He flashes a quick, polite smile. Every day that he’s here, he does a nightly check of the perimeter and then comes by to say goodnight before leaving for the night.
“Hey,” he says, voice quiet, careful not to disturb the late hour. “Just wanted to check in—are you okay? Need anything before bed?”
I shake my head, suddenly aware of how close he is and how intimate the moment feels in the hush of the hallway. For me, anyway.
“I’m fine. Thanks for checking in. Will I have to deal with you following me around again tomorrow?”
He nods, shifting his weight. “I’m off for the night. I’ll see you in the morning, Ash. Don’t do anything stupid while I’m gone.” His gaze lingers, stoic and serious. It makes me think twice about his words.Does he know?“Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Kaden.”
I don’t shut the door; he stays standing there for an extra moment before the spell is broken by the buzzing of his phone.
“I should go...”
I nod and close the door, cheeks flushed. The scent of him and the sound of his voice linger. Then I realise that he’s still in the hall, talking on his phone. Curiosity gets the best of me, gripping me to stay where I am.
It’s after ten PM. I wonder who he’s on the phone with. He’s never mentioned a girlfriend, and he doesn't ever wear a wedding band. But the guy is a catch; while I’d be disappointed, it wouldn’t surprise me to find he had another half.
“I’m just about to leave the estate now.”
“Owen’s a douchebag but seems pretty harmless.”
“Yeah...”
“Aside from having no leads and being stuck babysitting Princess Snowflake? Everything is just peachy.” He chuckles, but I don't hear anything else beyond that point.
Princess Snowflake?
The words slam into me—mocking, careless, like everything I feel is just a joke to him. My heart pounds so hard it hurts, a hollow ache where hope used to be. Humiliation and betrayal twist my insides, every fragile, secret dream curdling into dread. Blood roars in my ears, and I press a trembling hand to my chest, trying to breathe, but the air is gone.
I always knew I was just a job to him, but hearing it—hearing the condescension in his voice.. shatters something I didn’t realize I’d let myself hope for. My vision blurs. I refuse to let the tears fall, but I gasp for air, mind splintering, everything I thought I felt—every small, hopeful thing—crumbling in an instant.
Panic claws up my throat. Desperate, I scan the room for something, anything, to anchor me, but all I see are the walls of my prison. When my eyes land on the window, instinct takesover. I need air—need to escape. Anything to outrun the anguish pressing in from all sides.
8
Ashleigh
“Fuck!” I hear the panicked growl behind me, but I don’t stop. I don’t look back.
I grunt as my body slams into the tree; my hands go to the branch stubs instinctively. Once steady, I draw a quick breath and let go. Knees bent and braced, I landed as gracefully as a cat on the grass below. Then I run.
It’s always bothered me in movies and books when the heroine stops or looks back while being chased.Like dude, just fucking run.So that’s what I do. I vow I will not trip up or slow down because I look back. I do admit I’m curious what’s occurring behind me. I did just jump from a third-story window. I’m guessing the perfect Mr Mills hadn’t expected that from his precious “snowflake”.
Did he follow me out the window? Retreat and take the stairs? Alert the guards?
I pump my arms, running as fast as my legs can carry me across the lawn. The sky is gray with clouds, rain plummeting against the earth angrily. I’m unbothered. I focus on my targetwhile trying to remember guard rotations, perimeter checks, all my perfectly laid plans.
