Chapter 4-The Secret Plan

      The rain kept falling all night. Savannah could not sleep.  

She lay on the cold bed, staring at the ceiling, her hand on her stomach. Her heart was beating too fast, her tears had already dried but the pain refused to go.  

Cassandra’s words kept replaying in her head.  

“Drag her out if she refuses to leave.”  

Her chest hurt every time she thought of it. Nathaniel’s cold voice added more fire.  

“She won’t last much longer.”  

She turned on her side and looked at the empty space beside her. Nathaniel never slept here anymore. He never touched her, never cared. Now she knew why. He had Cassandra. He had no reason to keep her around.  

Her hand rubbed her belly slowly.  

“My baby, I will not let him throw us out. I will not let her win.”  

For the first time, she thought of something she had never allowed herself to think before. Leaving. Running. Starting again somewhere he could never find her.  

The thought scared her. She had no family, no money, no power. Nathaniel controlled everything. If he wanted, he could crush her like dust.  

But then she touched her stomach again. The baby kicked softly, as if answering her heart. Her lips trembled.  

“For you… I will do it. I will leave. We will survive.”  

She got up quietly. The mansion was silent. The maids had all gone to their quarters. Only the sound of rain against the windows filled the air.  

She opened her closet and pulled out a small bag. She began to fold a few clothes, her hands shaking. She was too scared, but she forced herself to keep going. She hid the bag under the bed.  

Next she opened the drawer where Nathaniel once left money for her. Most of it was gone. He had stopped giving her allowance long ago. She searched every corner, every box, every envelope. Finally, she found a small bundle of cash. Not much, but maybe enough for a ticket to anywhere.  

Her fingers clutched the money tightly. It felt like hope. It felt like a way out.  

But her mind kept running with fear. What if he caught her? What if he dragged her back? What if Cassandra found her and laughed in her face?  

Her breath came fast. She sat on the floor, shaking, whispering to herself.  

“You can do this, Savannah. You have to. For the baby. For us.”  

The next morning, she moved through the house quietly. The maids were gossiping again, whispering cruel words as she passed.  

“She looks so pale.”  

“No wonder he doesn’t want her.”  

“Cassandra is more of a wife than she is.”  

Savannah pretended not to hear. She walked past them with her head high, even though her heart was breaking inside.  

That night, Nathaniel returned late again. Savannah stayed in the living room, her bag still hidden under the bed upstairs. She told herself she would wait for the right moment. She needed him to go on another business trip, or maybe she could leave in the middle of the night when he was too tired to notice.  

But the way he looked at her that night made her heart stop.  

His eyes were sharp, studying her too long. He poured himself a drink, then leaned on the wall, watching her in silence.  

“You look different,” Nathaniel said finally, his voice low and cold.  

Savannah’s hand shook as she held her glass of water. “I’m fine.”  

His golden eyes narrowed. “You are hiding something.”  

Her throat tightened. She forced a small smile. “No. I’m not.”  

He stepped closer, his tall frame casting a shadow over her. “Don’t lie to me, Savannah. You’re too bad at it.”  

Her heart raced. She looked down, afraid he could see the truth in her eyes. She pressed her hand against her belly again, trying to calm herself.  

Nathaniel noticed the movement. His eyes dropped to her stomach, then back to her face.  

“You still think carrying my child will make me change my mind?” he asked coldly. “Don’t be foolish.”  

His words cut deep. Her lips trembled but she said nothing.  

Later, when he finally went upstairs to his study, Savannah rushed to the bedroom. She pulled the bag out from under the bed. She added the last few things she needed—her documents, the money, some clothes.  

Her hands were shaking badly. She could hear her own heartbeat in her ears. She told herself she would leave tonight. She could not wait anymore. She had to run before he threw her out like trash.  

But as she zipped the bag and turned toward the door, her heart froze.  

Nathaniel was standing there.  

Tall, cold, unreadable. His golden eyes locked on the bag in her hand.  

The silence was heavy, the storm outside raging louder.  

His voice cut through the air like a blade.  

“Savannah… where do you think you are going?”