All Chapters of Familiar Strangers : Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

The black van was gaining on us.Damian swerved hard into the next alley, the SUV’s tires screaming against the wet pavement. Mia cried out from the back seat, her small hands gripping the edge of her car seat. I twisted around to reach for her, my own heart slamming so hard it felt like it would break through my ribs.“Baby, it’s okay,” I whispered, even though nothing was okay. “Daddy’s driving fast to keep us safe.”The van clipped our rear bumper. The impact jolted us forward. Damian cursed and floored the gas again, cutting across a deserted parking lot.My phone rang.Unknown number.Damian glanced at it, jaw tight. “Speaker.”I answered.Victoria’s voice filled the car, calm and almost tender.“Are you enjoying the ride, little family? I see you’re running again. How very predictable.”Damian’s voice was ice. “You’re pregnant with my child and you’re still playing these games?”Victoria laughed softly. “Our child, Damian. I carried it for two years. I felt it kick. I protected

The first rays of sunrise painted the hospital corridor in soft gold as we walked out of the cryogenic facility. The two real embryo vials were now safely in federal custody, sealed and guarded. Victoria had been taken away in handcuffs, still screaming that Damian belonged to her. For the first time in years, the shadow she had cast over our lives was gone.Mia slept peacefully in Damian’s arms, her head on his shoulder, exhausted but safe. He held her like she was the most precious thing in the world, which she was. I walked beside them, my hand in his, the weight of the last few hours slowly lifting from my chest.“We did it,” I whispered as we stepped into the cool morning air. “They’re safe. All of them.”Damian stopped under the awning, turning to me. His eyes were tired but brighter than I had seen them in days. “We did. You did. You never gave up on us.”He leaned down and kissed me…. slow, deep, and full of everything we had almost lost. It wasn’t the frantic, desperate kind

Mia's POVThe penthouse smelled like roasted chicken and fresh herbs. Mommy had spent the whole afternoon cooking, and the table looked beautiful with candles and flowers. I stood in front of the mirror in my room, smoothing down my dress for the tenth time. It was the same sundress I had worn when I told them about Lucas, but tonight it felt different. Tonight Lucas was coming here. To our home. To meet my parents.My stomach was doing flips.I could hear Daddy in the living room, his voice low as he talked to Mommy. "He is fourteen too. Just a boy. I will be civil."Mommy laughed softly. "Civil’ means not interrogating him about his grades or his family business. Be nice, Damian. She really likes him."I smiled to myself. Mommy always knew how to calm Daddy down. But I knew Daddy. He was the same man who had fought so hard to keep us safe when I was little. The shadow lady was gone, but Daddy still looked at the world like it might try to take me away again.The doorbell rang.My he

Mia's POVThe penthouse smelled like fresh coffee and toast the next morning. I woke up with butterflies still fluttering in my stomach from the night before. The spring dance had been everything I hoped it would be. Lucas had been sweet and funny, and we had danced almost every song together. I could not stop smiling when I thought about it.I walked into the kitchen and found Mommy and Daddy already there. Mommy was pouring coffee while Daddy read something on his tablet. They both looked up when I came in, and Mommy gave me that warm, knowing smile."Good morning, sweetheart," she said. "How did you sleep?""Really well," I answered, sliding onto the stool at the counter. "The dance was fun. Lucas is nice. He did not step on my toes while dancing at least."Daddy put his tablet down slowly. His face was calm, but I could see that protective look in his eyes. "Did he behave himself?"I laughed a little. "Yes, Daddy. This is the hundred and one time you're asking since last night.” I

Mia's POVThe school hallway was loud with lockers slamming and friends laughing as I walked to my locker. It was the day before my fourteenth birthday, and everyone was already talking about the weekend plans. I had invited the entire art class to my party at the penthouse, and the excitement was everywhere.Lucas was waiting by my locker, leaning against it with that easy smile he always had. "Morning, Mia. You still good for the party tomorrow?"I nodded, feeling my cheeks warm. "Yeah. My parents said it's okay. Just... my dad might be a little intense. He is protective."Lucas laughed softly. "I met him the other night. He seemed cool. Scary, but cool."We talked for a few minutes about the party and the new comic he was working on. When the bell rang, he squeezed my hand quickly before heading to class. "See you tomorrow."The rest of the day flew by. In art class, my friends kept asking about the penthouse and whether there would be a DJ. By lunch, the whole table was buzzing wi