Chapter 5

Valeria trembled on the floor of the hotel room, her back resting against the cold wall. Alexander's hand still seemed to burn her neck. His gray eyes, full of a possessive and dark rage, had pierced her like daggers. "I will kill you," he had said with that low, lethal voice he used in boardrooms when destroying competitors. It wasn't an empty threat. Alexander Blackwood never spoke in vain.

She touched her belly with trembling hands. The baby—she didn't know yet there were three—was the only thing that mattered now. She couldn't stay. If she stayed, she would die of hunger, humiliations, or, eventually, at his hands.

She picked up her phone decisively and dialed the number Damien Cross had given her.

"Mr. Cross... I accept. I want to leave. Tonight, please."

On the other end, Damien's voice sounded calm and firm:

"Good decision, Valeria. A black car without license plates will pick you up at the back door of the hotel in forty minutes. Take only the essentials. I'll take care of the rest."

Alexander, meanwhile, returned to his penthouse. Sophia was waiting for him with two glasses of wine, wearing only a silk robe.

"Did you find her?" she asked with a venomous smile.

"I threatened her," he replied, tearing off his tie violently. "If she dares to run away with Cross, I will kill her. Nobody humiliates me using my ex-wife."

Sophia walked over and stroked his chest.

"That opportunistic slut doesn't even deserve the air she breathes. If she leaves, better. But if she stays... we will continue destroying her."

Valeria packed everything in less than twenty minutes: clothes, fake documents Damien had sent her via message, the vitamins, and some food. A sharp pain pierced her lower belly when she bent down. She doubled over, breathing heavily. Violent nausea washed over her. She ran to the bathroom and threw up forcefully, feeling how her body rebelled. Drops of cold sweat ran down her forehead. It was the first strong symptom of the pregnancy. Her legs weakened and an intense dizziness forced her to hold onto the sink.

"Hold on, please..." she begged the baby, touching her belly. "Mommy is going to get you out of here."

Exactly at the agreed time, a black car was waiting for her in the back alley. The driver, a quiet and muscular man, just nodded when she got in. Damien called her as the vehicle sped away.

"You are under my protection now. I have people at the private airport. New passport, temporary identity as Elena Vargas. Alexander won't be able to track you easily. In Spain you will have 24/7 security."

Valeria looked out the window as the city that had hurt her so much was left behind. Silent tears fell down her cheeks. She felt fear, relief, and a deep sadness. She had loved Alexander with all her being. Now only hatred and terror remained.

In the penthouse, Alexander's phone rang. One of his men informed him:

"Sir, she was seen getting into a black car. It's heading toward the private airport down south."

Alexander smashed the glass against the wall. Sophia jumped.

"Damn it!" he roared. "Cross! That bitch dared to disobey me!"

He dialed Valeria's number. She answered with trembling hands, but didn't speak.

"Listen to me closely, Valeria," Alexander growled with a deadly voice. "If you get on that plane, I will find you. It doesn't matter what country you hide in. I will drag you out from under the rocks and kill you slowly. And if you are thinking of using my rival to hurt me... I swear I will destroy everything you touch. You are nothing. You were never anything. Just an opportunistic whore who warmed my bed."

Valeria hung up, sobbing. The dizziness returned forcefully. She felt a sharp cramp in her abdomen and doubled over in the seat, moaning in pain. The driver looked at her through the mirror.

"Ma'am? Are you okay?"

"Just... nausea," she lied, pale as paper.

Damien, who was waiting in the private hangar, received her personally. Tall, dark gray suit, neatly combed brown hair, and intelligent black eyes. He helped her out of the car and held her when she almost fainted.

"Calm down. We are almost out of his reach. The jet is ready."

While they were boarding the plane, Alexander arrived at the nearest commercial airport with several bodyguards, furious. Sophia followed him, enjoying the drama.

"Search all private flights," he ordered. "If necessary, bribe whoever is needed. That woman is not going to escape so easily."

Damien's jet took off in the darkness of the night. Valeria, sitting in the leather seat, looked out the window as the city lights grew small. A new cramp made her gasp. Damien knelt in front of her, concerned.

"What's wrong? Are you hurt?"

Valeria shook her head, but tears fell.

"I'm pregnant..." she confessed in a whisper. "And I'm very scared."

Damien clenched his jaw. A mix of surprise and satisfaction crossed his eyes. This was better than he had planned against Alexander.

"You will be protected here. Neither Alexander Blackwood nor anyone else will touch you. Rest. You have a long road ahead of you... Elena."

Valeria closed her eyes, exhausted. The first strong symptom of pregnancy had weakened her, but it had also given her the final strength to flee.

Now a new life was beginning. Far away from the man who swore to kill her.