All Chapters of His Terms, My Surrender: Unfinished Surrender: Chapter 41 - Chapter 49

I moved faster, my bare feet silent on the wet grass, the cold biting through my thin socks, but adrenaline dulled the pain. Martha was a warm, heavy bundle in my arms, her soft snores the only sound I allowed myself to focus on besides the pounding of my own heart. The night air smelled of wet earth and pine, thick and raw in my lungs. Each step carried us closer to freedom—or closer to discovery.The tree line offered the first real cover, a dense border separating Theo’s manicured grounds from the narrow, unlit lane beyond. Shadows twisted like fingers across the grass, and every rustle of a branch made my chest tighten. I ducked behind the thickest trunk, laying Martha gently on the ground and leaning the duffel bag beside her. She stirred slightly, murmuring in her sleep, and I pressed a finger to my lips.I yanked the burner phone from the bag, hands trembling, and punched in Arzhel’s number. The line rang once before he picked up.“Sofia?” His voice was sharp, alert, carrying t

Theo’s POVAll I’d ever asked was for us to move quietly, to let this storm die down. Just a little breathing room. But no. Sofia had to make it all impossible—twisting every simple plan into chaos, forcing me to behave like this, even if I didn’t want to. She made me choose, and I had no choice left.I felt the weight of Martha in my arms, her tiny fingers curling against my shirt. Sleepy, innocent, trusting—she had no idea the battle raging just a few feet above her head. My heart twisted. I wanted to protect her, keep her safe, but she was the reason I had to play this role, harsh as it felt.I stepped carefully into the room, whispering softly, “Easy, little one. Daddy’s here.”I laid her down gently, tucking the covers around her small body. Her eyelids fluttered, and I brushed a stray curl from her forehead.“Go back to sleep,” I murmured. “It’s okay. Nothing’s wrong.”Her breathing evened out. Her little chest rose and fell in steady rhythm. For a moment, I let myself just watc

Martha’s cries grew sharper—shaking, broken, coming from the deepest part of her little chest.“I want Mommy…” she sobbed, clutching my shirt with trembling fingers. “Daddy, please… I want Mommy now…”The sound gutted me.Arzhel’s jaw tightened—anger flickering, then something else. Something painfully human. His gaze dropped to her small, shaking body, and for the first time since he stepped through my door, there was no fury in his eyes.Only disappointment.Then he looked back at me.And the fury returned twice as strong.“You hear that?” he asked quietly, voice trembling with restrained rage. “Even your daughter knows this is wrong.”I swallowed hard, but the knot in my throat didn’t move.“She’ll see her soon,” I muttered, more to myself than him. “Once Sofia calms down. Once things are under control.”But the words felt thin.Weak.Like lies even I couldn’t swallow.Martha’s cries only grew louder.Arzhel stepped closer—not aggressively this time, but with the kind of certainty

I walked down the hall, each step heavier than the last.All that anger… all that noise… and underneath it, the only thing that mattered was the small, quiet sob coming from Martha’s room.I stopped at her door.For a second, I just stood there, hand on the frame, letting the guilt settle thick in my chest. Then I pushed the door open slowly.She was on the bed, knees pulled to her chest, face buried in her hands. Her shoulders shook with every quiet cry.“Marth,” I said softly.She flinched at my voice.That hurt more than anything Sofia had said.I stepped inside, careful, slow, like approaching something fragile.“Hey,” I murmured, kneeling beside the bed. “Look at me.”She didn’t.So I tried again, gentler.“Martha… I’m sorry.”Her crying slowed—just a little—but she still didn’t lift her head.I let out a breath, rubbing a hand over my face.“I shouldn’t have shouted at you,” I said, voice low, honest. “You didn’t deserve that. None of this is your fault.”She sniffled.I reached

The day finally arrived.Two weeks had passed since the chaos, two weeks of planning, waiting, and keeping everything tight. Every detail had been checked and double-checked. My private jet was ready on the tarmac, engines humming quietly in the cool morning air, a symbol of escape and safety.Martha bounced beside me, small hand gripping mine tightly. Her excitement made me smile despite the knot in my chest. She had no idea how heavy this move was for me—or for Sofia.“Daddy,” she said, eyes wide, “Mommy is coming too?”I glanced at Sofia, who was standing near the luggage, her face carefully neutral. I could see the tension in her jaw, the way she shifted from foot to foot. This wasn’t just a trip for fun. Every step, every move, was for her safety—and for Martha’s.“Yes,” I said gently, squeezing Martha’s hand. “Mommy is joining us.”Martha’s face lit up. “Yay! I can’t wait!” She giggled, spinning a little before planting herself back by my side.Sofia’s expression softened for a