09
I blinked, trying to process the man standing in front of me. Hans. Of all people, Hans Ward had found me. “You… you’re really here,” I stammered, still reeling from the shock.
Hans crossed his arms, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “You don’t make it easy to track you down, Felicity.” “How did you even find me?” I demanded, panic rising in my chest. If Hans could find me, Adrian wouldn’t be far
behind.
“Relax,” Hans said, his tone calm but firm. “Adrian won’t find you. Not if I have anything to do with it.”
I shook my head, stepping back. “But how? Adrian’s desperate. He’s throwing money at anyone who brings him information. If you found me, so can they.”
Hans’s expression darkened slightly. “Those men who grabbed you? They were trying to collect Adrian’s reward. I paid them off to keep their mouths shut. If I hadn’t gotten there when I did…” He trailed off, his jaw tightening.
A chill ran down my spine. I swallowed hard, suddenly realizing just how close I had come to being dragged
back into Adrian’s nightmare. “So, what now? I can’t stay here. Clearly, it’s not safe.”
“No, it’s not,” Hans agreed. “Which is why we need to move you somewhere more secure. But before we go, we
need to talk.”
I hesitated, unsure if I even wanted to hear what he had to say. “Talk about what?”
Hans took a step closer, his eyes sharp and calculating. “Do you want to come back?”
I blinked, confused. “Come back? Why would I do that? I’m trying to disappear.”
Hans tilted his head, his smirk returning. “Not as Felicity Rose, Adrian’s wife. Come back as my wife.”
“What?” I said, my voice rising in disbelief. “Why would I do that?”
“Because together, we can bring Adrian down,” Hans said simply.
I crossed my arms, narrowing my eyes at him. “And what do you get out of it?”
Hans chuckled softly. “Adrian’s been my rival for years. Seeing him lose everything–and knowing I helped you do it? That’s more satisfying than any business deal.”
I shook my head, pacing the small hospital room. “I’m tired, Hans. Tired of being a stand–in, of being used as a
Dawn lust want peace
845 AM c c
Hans opened his mouth to reply, but before he could, the door burst open. One of his staff entered, his
expression tense.
“Sir, we have a problem,” the man said. “The media knows she’s here. A nurse leaked it, and reporters are flooding the hospital.”
“What?” I exclaimed, my heart pounding. The thought of cameras, reporters, and endless questions made my
stomach churn.
Hans remained calm, his mind clearly racing. “How bad is it?”
“Bad,” the man admitted. “They’re all over the main entrance, and they’re not leaving anytime soon.
Hans turned to me, his expression serious. “We need to leave. Now.”
He barked orders t to his staff, instructing them to create a diversion. Then he turned back to me, handing me a
scarf and sunglasses. “Put these on.”
I nodded, my hands trembling as I followed his instructions
We moved quickly through the hospital, ducking into empty hallways and stairwells to avoid the growing crowd of reporters. The sound of camera shutters and shouted questions echoed faintly in the distance, sending a fresh wave of panic through me.
“Stay close,” Hans whispered, his hand brushing against mine as we navigated the maze of corridors.
We were almost at the back exit when a voice rang out, loud and shrill.
“There she is!”
I turned to see Carmela standing at the end of the hall, her face twisted with rage.
“There she is!” she screamed again, pointing at me. “She’s the murderer of my unborn child! Get her!”
The world seemed to freeze for a moment before chaos erupted. Reporters who had slipped past security swarmed toward us, their cameras flashing.
Hans grabbed my hand, his grip firm and reassuring. “Run!” he shouted.
We sprinted toward the back exit, the shouts and chaos growing louder behind us. My heart pounded in my chest as adrenaline coursed through my veins
“Faster!” Hans urged, glancing over his shoulder.
We burst through the back door, the cool air hitting my face like a slap. A car was waiting for us, one of Hans’s
men holding the door open.
“Get in!” Hans shouted.
I didn’t hesitate, scrambling into the car as Hans followed. The door slammed shut, and the car sped off, leaving
the chaos behind.
I leaned back in the seat, trying to catch my breath. “This isn’t over, is it?” I asked, my voice barely above a
whisper.
Hans shook his head, “Yeah. Surely, we’re on the headline now.”
I sighed. “Guess I have no choice, so yes,” I turned to Hans. “I’ll be your wife.”
