Chapter Four: A Loophole Plan

Six years ago, when I found out I was pregnant, a cold dread gripped me. The baby could be Robert's. After his death, I ran from Lorenzo, from the suffocating world of violence and betrayal he had represented. Using the money I had saved, I travelled to a small, isolated town, far from the city, far from any trace of my past.

By the time I finally settled in the town, I was already two months pregnant.

I had slept with Lorenzo countless times, but the possibility was slim. The child could be Robert's, that thought haunted me every night. The doctor presented me with two options: terminate the pregnancy or have the baby. But when I discovered I was carrying twins, I decided to keep them.

"I'll have them," I told Dr. Lee. "I wont terminate the pregnancy."

"Are you sure, Miss Selene?" Dr. Lee asked, confusion etched on her features. "This is a huge decision for a young girl like you."

"I know," I said, swallowing the lump in my throat. "And please, call me Keira. Not Selene."

That was the day I laid Selene Ashwood to rest and embraced Keira Diaz, a mother determined to protect her children from the darkness that had consumed her past.

When my children were born, I braced myself for the worst. I half expected two blonde haired, blue eyed reminders of Robert's violation. But what I hadn't expected was two dark haired, beautiful babies with hazel orbs, each a mirror image of their father.

Lorenzo was the father.

Relief washed over me, so intense it brought me to tears. My children were not tainted Robert's evil. They were a part of Lorenzo, a part of the man I had once loved and still love. But that meant I had to keep them hidden, not just from world, but mostly from Lorenzo himself.

-

(Present)

I sucked in a deep breath as I stood before Clara's door, my heart pounding a frantic rhythm against my ribs. She was the only one who knew my dark past, the only person I could trust with the truth. It had been twenty hours since my encounter with Lorenzo. Immediately after he left last night, I ran back home to Clara and Kiara.

They were safe.

But I still needed to act fast.

I couldn't tell Clara the truth, she wanted me back with Lorenzo. Every day she insisted I told him the truth, he would help me she said. But she wouldn't understand.

Once again, Lorenzo killed a man in front of me...swiftly as if he was squishing a bug.

I couldn't be with such a man no matter how much my heart ached for him.

Neither could I let my children grow beside him...or look up to him as a father figure. I feel horrible for thinking this way, but I had to make this decision.

I spent the last few hours meticulously planning my escape. I already called Dr Lee and informed her that I'd love Ronan to be transfered to another hospital. She was shocked at first, but I explained that I had to leave town and she agreed.

Dr. Lee, bless her kind soul was like a mother to me and my kids. She understood and even added money to my savings. Now I had more than enough to start over somewhere else, I'd only need to work harder for Ronan's hospital bills, but atleast we would be safe.

The strip club was shut down anyway. It was already all over the news, but what actually happened? No one knew. I was the only witness. No one knew a man was murdered, all they knew that the club had suddenly announced that they were closing down.

Lorenzo.

That was his doing.

He had the power to do whatever he wanted.

I had just four hours left, or else everyone around me would suffer.

When Clara opened the door, her face fell, her eyes widening with concern. Behind her, Anya rushed to me, wrapping her tiny arms around my legs.

"Mommy! I missed you!" She squealed, her hazel eyes shining with pure joy

"Oh, baby! I missed you more!" I cooed, scooping her up in my arms and pressing a kiss to her forehead.

I had left her with Clara since yesterday. God- I hated my life.

I walked into the apartment, Anya wriggled out of my arms and ran back the small room to watch television. Almost as if she sensed I needed time alone, Bless her soul.

I turned to Clara, who was shaking her head, her expression a mixture of fear and disbelief.

"I think you're crazy and I know you're hiding something from me," she said, her voice barely a whisper. She walked up to me and held my hands. "Talk to be Keira. What is it?"

When I looked up into her eyes, my walls crumbled. "Lorenzo is back,"

Her eyes went wide, then relaxed. "Is that why you're doing this?" She asked, her tone laced with disbelief. "I guess that explains it...but still, don't you think you're overreacting? Keira you need to-"

"He killed Andres," I said, cutting her in. Her eyes went wide, her mouth agape.

"What?!" She yelled. "Why? What? Oh oh oh!" She placed her hand over her mouth, the horror on her face evident. "Is...is that... Fuck!" She cursed, pacing around the sitting room as if she had finally placed all the pieces together. She then stopped and turned to me. "You really need to leave. Fuck all what I've been saying for years. That guy is a monster."

"Thank you!" I said throwing my hands in the air. "Atleast now you see. He even offered me a huge fucking sum of money to be his for some time...but Clara I can't do it! I can't be with a murderer and how will I hide the kids from him?!" My panic began to rise even more, my heart rose and fell as I also began to pace back and forth.

There are lots of loopholes in my plan. I knew that, but I couldn't sit back and do nothing or just pretend to act as if everything was fine between Lorenzo and I.

Just as Clara was about to say something, bright car lights flashed through the window, flooding the room with an eerie glow. My breath hitched, and my heart skipped a beat as I heard the sound of approaching footsteps, voices growing louder, more menacing.

Before I could process what was happening, the door burst open, and three hulking figured stormed into the apartment, guns drawn, their faces grim and determined. Clara immediately stood in front me, protecting me, I just stood there, frozen in shock, my mind struggling to catch up with the reality unfolding before me.

Over her shoulder, I saw him. Lorenzo. He walked in, his face smeared with blood, a cruel smile twisted on his lips.

No

No.

"Lorenzo..." I whispered, my voice barely audible.

"You really thought you could run away from me, Selene?" He asked, chuckling softly as he stalked into the room. His gaze fell on Clara, his smile turned to a small frown. "Clara Morelle," he said, his voice dripping with contempt. "Move."

"No," she spat, taking everyone by surprise. "I don't give a shit whatever business you may have with Keira. But you're in my place,"

Lorenzo arched a brow, amusement evident on his features. "I like you," he said. "But you're annoying, and I'm not in the mood to kill another soul tonight, so move before I make you."

The threat in his tone made her quiver, she slowly moved away, her eyes now on me, wide with terror. I swallowed hard and looked up at Lorenzo who had taken two long strides towards me.

"Now," he said as he began to walk around me in circles. "Before we proceed I have one question to ask,"

"And that is?"

"Selene. Who's the father of your kids?"

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