4

Vivienne’s POV

His hand froze.

We both turned. At the door, Nyssa stood with a pistol raised. Her arms shook, her voice trembled, but her aim never wavered.

“Now get off her and step away.”

The man lifted his hands in mock surrender, lips curling into a lazy smile. “Relax. It’s business. I already paid a hundred.”

“Business?” Nyssa’s voice cracked with fury. “Since when did rape become business? Can’t you see she’s being forced?”

I had never seen her so furious, so wild. “Vivienne, are you okay? Can you move?”

“Yes,” I managed, my voice a broken stammer. I pushed to my feet, smoothed down my dress, but my knees gave out.

I was about to fall when Nyssa rushed to me, one arm wrapping firm around my waist. “It’s all right. I’ve got you.”

The man lunged.

Nyssa was too busy holding me to swing the pistol back in time. His shadow loomed, the blow about to fall.

Instinct made me throw myself in front of Nyssa, to shield her.

Next second, Nyssa twisted her arm, aimed, and—

Bang.

The shot rang through the club.

Everything went still.

The man howled, collapsing, clutching at his bleeding leg. Nyssa’s hands trembled but her voice was steady when she hissed, “I said don’t move.”

Chaos erupted around us. Shouts, screams, the scrape of chairs. It was enough cover. We ran.

Nyssa half-carried me out of that hellhole, never letting go until we stumbled into the quiet safety of a smoothie shop a block away.

She eased me into a chair and sat heavily beside me, cheeks flushed, breath ragged.

I couldn’t meet her eyes. She had to know now—that I’d lied to her before. That something about me and Kael wasn’t what I’d pretended.

“I knew something was wrong with Kael,” she whispered, finally steadying her breath. “I just never thought he’d fall this low.”

“Nyssa…” I reached for her hands, my voice unsteady. “I need to tell you something.”

Her gaze dropped. “You don’t have to. I heard you. In the restaurant. You and him.” Her voice cracked. “It was my fault for stepping between you two. I never knew he was married. Forgive me, Vivienne. Please.”

“I knew you weren’t the kind of girl who’d ever make herself the third wheel in someone else’s marriage.” I squeezed her hand tight. “It was always him. His betrayal. His choices. He was the one who cheated. He was the one who destroyed everything.”

Nyssa’s eyes locked on mine, wide and searching. “Is Kael really that powerful? Powerful enough to send someone to drag you to that club? And if I hadn’t walked in today… would he have let another man touch you?”

A bitter laugh tore from my throat. “Touch me? Nyssa, he’s done worse than that.”

Her lips parted in shock. “We can go to the police. I’ll testify for you.” Her words came quick, urgent.

Sweet, naïve Nyssa. She thought a badge could cage Kael.

“It won’t matter.” I turned to the window, watching the city blur by in neon and shadows. “I don’t know how much he’s told you about his business, but Kael practically owns the underworld in New York. And half the police with it.”

Nyssa’s face went white. Her hands trembled where they rested on the table. “I should never have… God, how could I ever let myself be tied to a man like him?”

“I was already planning to leave,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “But now that you’re caught in this, you have to leave too. Nyssa, he’ll find out. And I don’t know what he’ll do to you.”

She didn’t answer. Only lowered her gaze, her hands sliding protectively to her stomach.

Pregnant. And she had just learned the truth.

My heart sank.

“I have to make a phone call.” I pulled out my phone with trembling fingers. “Mom? How are you?”

“I’m alright!” Mom said warmly at the other end. “Lisa’s been showing me around England. The food here is wonderful, and you know how much I love the rain.”

Her voice was a lifeline, reminding me of everything I’d planned.

I forced my voice steady. “Is Lisa there? I want to speak to her.”

A moment later, Lisa’s familiar voice came through. “Girl! Can’t wait for you to get here. Your mother loves it here!”

“Lisa…”

She must have heard the shift in my voice, because her tone sobered instantly. “What is it?”

“I need you to help me with something.”

“Anything for you, baby.”

“I’m leaving New York sooner than we planned,” I said quietly into the phone. “And I’m not alone. I have a friend with me. She’ll need your help, too.”

A few beats, then Lisa’s voice came, low but steady. “Don’t worry. I’ve got you. I’ll have a private plane waiting at your location in exactly two hours. Board it, and we’ll talk more when you arrive. Alright?”

I ended the call and turned to Nyssa, forcing a reassuring smile. “It’s going to be fine. With men like Kael, we can’t win in one move—we have to play the long game. But for now, your safety, your family’s, and your baby’s… that’s what matters most.”