chapter 5: Taken Back

(Lyra’s POV)

“No. No… it can’t be him.”

The air caught in my throat as the car door opened. One foot on the ground, one hand braced against the edge of the van, I stared at the figure stepping out like a living nightmare.

Rhys.

I stumbled backward, almost losing my balance. Panic surged through me like lightning—cold, fast, and blinding.

Elridge caught me just in time. “Lyra? What’s wrong?”

My lips parted, but no words came. He was already moving toward us, calm and measured like a predator who’d cornered his prey. I felt my stomach twist, both from fear and the weight of the child inside me.

“We need to leave,” I whispered urgently, clinging to Elridge’s arm. But my body betrayed me—too slow, too heavy. The bump made everything harder.

Elridge glanced at him, frowning. “Who is that?”

He looked every inch the tycoon—sharp suit, perfect posture, a face carved from stone—but the chill in his eyes made her flinch.

“My husband,” I murmured, my heart sinking. “And the baby’s father.”

Her lips parted in shock, but before she could speak, he did.

“You’ve made me chase you long enough, Lyra.”

I took a step back and wrapped both arms protectively around my belly. “You shouldn’t be here. I’m not going with you.”

His gaze flicked to my hands. “You think I’d come all this way to ask permission?”

Then, without warning, he grabbed my wrist. His grip was firm, not painful, but the gesture alone made my chest tighten. Elridge immediately stepped in.

“Hey, she’s eight months pregnant! Let go—she could get hurt!”

For a second, Rhys’s hand paused. He looked down at me, at the small swell of my wrist in his palm. Something flickered in his eyes. A brief, uncertain hesitation. Then it vanished.

“You’re coming with me,” he said.

“Not unless you promise you won’t harm the baby,” I said, locking eyes with him, my voice shaking but firm. “I’ll go, but only if he’s safe.”

He narrowed his eyes. “You think you’re in a position to negotiate?”

I swallowed hard, refusing to drop my gaze. “You said the child wasn’t mine to keep. That I didn’t deserve him. But he exists, Rhys. And I will protect him.”

He stared at me for a long, grueling beat. Then his expression turned unreadable.

Elridge leaned close and whispered, “You sure about this?”

I nodded. “It’s time I stopped running.”

The baby shifted inside me, pressing against my ribs as if reacting to the tension. I winced and placed a hand on my belly.

“Lyra?” Elridge asked in alarm.

“Just a kick,” I breathed out. **“He’s fine.” But my voice was tighter now.

Rhys turned, eyes scanning the village around us. The place that had sheltered me for months now seemed too small to hold this moment.

“Get in the car,” he said. “We’re leaving now.”

I paused. There was nothing else to take—except memories.

“Elridge… thank you. For everything.”

She reached out, gripping my hand tightly. “You don’t have to do this alone. If you ever need a way out—again—you call me.”

I nodded, unable to speak through the tightness in my throat.

“Wait—your baby clothes,” she said suddenly, gesturing toward her house. **“You left them—”

“I won’t need them anymore.” I gave her a final look, then turned and climbed into the SUV.

Inside the car, the silence was oppressive. I sat by the window, keeping my body angled away from him. Every part of me was tense.

Then the driver hit a pothole.

The jolt sent me sideways, and I instinctively threw my arms around my belly. I tumbled into Rhys’s side before I could stop myself.

His arm went around me in a reflex, steadying me.

I froze.

He did too.

Our eyes met for half a breath before I pulled away, retreating to the far end of the seat.

The flight to Everwyn felt endless. I couldn’t sleep, but my body betrayed me. Eventually, exhaustion pulled me under, and I drifted into a restless doze on the leather couch across from him.

Even as I slept, my hands stayed curled around my belly. He noticed—I could feel it.

He didn’t speak. But when I woke, there was a blanket draped over me.

I didn’t thank him.

The city skyline came into view through the car window. After six months of rural quiet, the noise and chaos of Everwyn overwhelmed me. I stared out as skyscrapers blurred past, everything familiar yet distant. A version of my life I had tried to leave behind.

By 4:00 PM, we arrived at his villa.

He stepped out first, not even glancing back to see if I could manage. I clutched my lower back and eased myself from the car.

The concrete beneath my feet felt too hard. The house loomed too tall. Every step I took felt heavier than the last.

He turned to me at the front door. His expression unreadable, voice colder than ever.

“You brought this on yourself.”

I stopped walking. “Can we talk?”

His response was immediate and sharp. “I’m not interested in conversations.”

He turned, disappearing inside without waiting for me.

I stood there, on the porch where I once thought I’d find safety… now returned like a prisoner in a gilded cage.