CHAPTER 5: THE ESCAPE.

~ANNIKA~

My mind was racing with questions and worries. Why did Angelo suddenly want a DNA test? I felt anxious, wondering why he didn't reach out to me directly instead of through his lover.

I didn't want to go at first, but I was desperate to convince Angelo that I was carrying his child. Maybe, just maybe, I could win him back.

I got dressed in a simple outfit and prepared to leave. It was just past 4, and I was feeling tense. I left my dad resting in his room, not wanting to answer his questions right now.

I took a cab and gave the driver the address. As we approached the destination, I asked the driver to pull over farther away so I could walk and clear my head.

As the taxi drove away, a white Chevrolet SS pulled up in front of me. I was hesitant to look, but then I heard my name.

I peeked through the windshield and saw Melissa, her expression mocking. She was chewing gum carelessly, sizing me up.

"Don't tell me you walked all the way here?" she asked, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Get in!" Lissa yelled, turning her face away.

I stood firm, refusing to budge. "Where's Angelo?" I asked, surprised to find her alone.

"He sent me to come first. He'll join us," she replied.

I raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "Angelo sent you alone?" I sneered.

"I'm not getting in until you call Angelo," I said, folding my arms.

Lissa let out a mocking laugh, making me feel humiliated. "Oh, don't tell me you miss him and just want to hear his voice?"

I glared at her, my anger boiling over. "Let's go!" I screamed, yanking the door open.

As we drove, the tension between us was palpable. We didn't speak until we arrived at the hospital.

As we got out of the car, I started to feel uneasy. My belly hurt, and I realized it was probably due to my pregnancy.

We headed into the hospital, the silence between us still thick with tension.

Lissa led me to the hospital, which seemed eerily empty. Despite my reservations, I needed to prove to Angelo that the child was his.

As she opened the door, my heart skipped a beat in fear. Four men, dressed in doctor uniforms, stood before us. They looked more like bodyguards than medical professionals.

"What is this place?" I demanded, turning to Lissa. "What's going on?"

She smirked. "These are the technicians."

I remembered Angelo's instructions, and my suspicions grew. "Wait, Angelo sent you to bring me here?"

Lissa's expression shifted, revealing a hint of betrayal.

"You're lying, right?" I asked, though I knew the answer.

"Of course," she replied, folding her arms. "That was the only way to get you here. Do you think I had time to coddle you?"

I felt a surge of anger. "Why did you bring me here?"

Lissa stepped closer, a sinister grin spreading across her face. "Have a guess."

My eyes followed her movements, my mind racing with dread.

"Angelo wants you to get rid of the baby," she said flatly, her eyes piercing mine.

I furrowed my brows, horrified. "What? What did you just say?"

Lissa took a step back, her expression unyielding. "Yes, you heard me right. Angelo wants you to get rid of the baby.”

"No, never; impossible," I said, shaking my head and placing my hands on my belly. "Angelo would never ask me to terminate my pregnancy. Never."

Lissa smirked. "But he did."

"That's a lie!" I yelled. "Why would you think so?"

"I know he never loved you," Lissa sneered, "but Angelo will never want you to have this child."

I was confused. "What are you talking about?"

Lissa took out her phone and played a recording. Angelo's voice was clear: "Tell her to get rid of the thing she's carrying."

Lissa raised an eyebrow. "Does this convince you?"

I shook my head, denying the truth. "No, no, no... That's not Angelo."

Lissa signaled to the men, who grabbed me and held me down on the bed. I struggled to escape, but they were too strong.

"Let go of me!" I yelled, but they overpowered me.

Lissa smiled as she left the room, instructing the doctor, "Take that thing out of her."

The doctor's tray revealed a terrifying truth, and I yelled and struggled even more.

"Bitch!" I screamed at Lissa as I fought the doctors.

But I was no match for them. My priority was to save my child, and I needed a way out of this prison.

The main doctor, who seemed genuine, instructed the heavier guys to wait outside. They calmly complied, shutting the door behind them, which made me even more afraid.

As the doctor approached me, he muttered, "Annika, calm down, it's me." He removed his mask, revealing his face.

"Doctor Ken!" I whispered, somewhat relieved but still perplexed.

"Please get me out of here," I begged. "I'll do anything."

Doctor Ken reassured me, "Calm down, I have a plan. I'll act like I've stabilized you with anesthesia, then I'll distract the men outside. Wait for my signal. When the nurse comes in, run for your life. Do you understand?"

"Yes...yes," I replied hastily, lying on the bed and pretending to sleep.

Doctor Ken knocked on the door, signaling to the men that he needed something. I was agitated, praying for a safe escape with my baby.

The door creaked open, and the nurse entered. She gave the signal, and I sneaked to the door, peeping at the men who were distracted.

With their attention diverted, I ran as fast as I could towards the entrance. Lissa was sitting in the waiting room, but I didn't care who was in my way. I pushed through and dashed for the main gate, knowing this was my only chance to escape.

Lissa didn't react on time, and I seized the opportunity to flee.

I rushed out of the gate and sprinted towards the parking lot. I didn't think about where I was going or how I'd escape those chasing me.

As I collided with a stranger, the wind was knocked out of me. I crumpled to the ground, desperate to create distance between myself and the hospital.

But my body felt drained, and I couldn't take another step. My vision blurred as I tried to stand, but my legs buckled.

Strong arms enveloped me, and a gentle voice whispered, "Are you okay?"

"Please get me out of here," I begged, collapsing into his arms as my world darkened.

I hoped with all my might that this stranger wasn't one of the men pursuing me.