Chapter 4

THE CITY OF SHADOWS

Hours later, they reached the outskirts of Greyfall City again.

Exhausted.

Starving.

Cold.

But alive.

Larris took her to a hidden apartment above an old bookstore—another safehouse.

The moment they were inside, Teresa collapsed onto the couch. I cannot keep running like this.

Larris knelt beside her. I know.

What do they want so badly that they’re willing to kill me?

Larris hesitated.

Then he showed her.

A leather briefcase.

Inside it documents, bank accounts, shares, contracts, her name everywhere.

This, he said, is your grandfather's legacy. And the key to controlling it is your signature.

Theresa stared, throat tight.

My whole life was a lie.

Not a lie, Larris said softly. A secret meant to protect you.

She looked up at him. Why protect me? Why did my grandfather trust you?

Larris looked away.

Because I used to work for Jerry Desmond.

Time froze.

The breath seemed to leave her body. What?

I wasn’t always on the right side, he said, his voice dropping. Your grandfather knew that. But he believed people could change. So he hired me… to redeem myself.

Teresa felt torn between gratitude and fear.

So I’m supposed to trust you?

No, Larris said quietly. You trust nothing other than your instincts.

She studied him and his sincerity, his exhaustion, his quiet guilt.

And her instincts whispered one thing:

Larris wouldn't betray her.

Not now.

Not after everything,

The door shook before she could say a word.

KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.

A voice growled:

Police! Open up!

Teresa blood froze in her veins.

Larris grasped her hand. It’s not the police.

The door burst open.

Jerry Desmond stepped inside.

And he was smiling.

THE LAST CHOICE

The smile on Jerry Desmond's face was cold.

Hello,Teresa.

She stepped back, heart hammering. Larris moved in front of her, blocking Jerry Desmond's path.

Desmond ignored him.

Darling, he said softly, you caused quite a scene. Running away from your own wedding? It's embarrassing.

Teresa swallowed hard. Stay away from me.

He laughed a dark, amused sound. You misunderstand. I am trying to save you.

Save me? she spat. By forcing me into marriage?

By protecting your inheritance, Desmond corrected. You don't understand the threats that come with power. But I do.

Larris voice cut through the room. You want her inheritance to expand your operations. You lied to her, threatened her family.

Desmond's smile fell. Oh, Larris Always the hero, aren't you? His tone sharpened. You should never have switched sides.

I made the right choice, Larris growled.

Desmond raised a gun.

It all happened very quickly.

Larris pounced.

The gun fired.

A scream tore from Teresa’s throat.

Larris fell to the ground, blood staining his shoulder.

NO! Teresa cried, dropping beside him.

Desmond stepped forward calmly. You'll come with me now.

Teresa head rose, her eyes ablaze. "Never."

He cocked the gun again

And she moved.

She flung the briefcase at his face, buying a second. Enough time for Larris injured but alive to kick the gun out of Desmond’s hand.

It skidded across the floor.

Desmond roared and pounced on Larris

Teresa scrambled to her feet, her heart exploding in her chest. Desmond had Larris pinned down, fists slamming into him.

She picked up the dropped gun.

Hands trembling.

Legs shaking.

“Stop!” she screamed.

Desmond turned.

And froze.

Teresa he said softly, "put the gun down."

She aimed at him, tears streaming.

You were never going to let me go.

“Because you don’t know what you’re doing!” Desmond barked. “You need me. I can help you. I can protect you. I can give you power beyond anything—”

Teresa pulled the trigger.

One shot.

Desmond slumped.

Silence enveloped the room.

Her breath cracked.

Larris looked up at her pale, bleeding. You saved me.

Teresa dropped the gun and fell to her knees. You saved me first.

A NEW LIFE

Police arrived in minutes, the real police this time. Larris had earlier contacted an honest officer with evidence of Desmond's crimes.

It all happened so fast.

He survived the gunshot. Desmond was arrested and charged with kidnapping, fraud, extortion, and attempted murder, among others.

The truth about him was finally learned by the city.

And Theresa became the legal owner of her grandfather's company.

A legacy she never asked for, but one she was determined to use for good.

Slowly, Larris recovered. She visited him daily at the hospital.

One afternoon, he opened his eyes and whispered.

You're free now,Teresa.

She smiled softly. Not just free.

He frowned. What do you mean?

She reached for his hand.

I’m alive.

His eyes softened.

And I want you in my new life. If you’ll stay.

Larris throat tightened. I'm not a good man.

You became good for me, she whispered.

He shut his eyes, overwhelmed.

When he opened them again, he whispered.

I’ll stay.

EPILOGUE

THE RUNAWAY BRIDE WHO CHOSE HERSELF

Months later, Teresa stood on a balcony overlooking Greyfall City. The wind carried the scent of rain, but this time, she wasn’t running.

She had rebuilt her life.

Reclaimed her power.

Found her voice.

And chosen her future.

Larris stepped behind her, his arms wrapping around her waist.

You thinking about the past again? he asked.

A little, she admitted. But mostly, I’m thinking about how lucky I am.

He leaned and kissed her shoulder. You saved yourself,Teresa. I only helped.

She smiled.

Maybe. But I’m still glad you were there when I ran.

Larris chuckled. You didn’t just run. You escaped.

And found freedom, she whispered.

He tightened his arms around her. And love. Teresa leaned into him. The runaway bride was gone. In her place stood a woman who knew exactly who she was. And where she was going.