Chapter 5

Chloe POV

When I returned to Mountainview Villa, it was already late at night.

The living room lights were off. I felt my way to the sofa in the dark, about to sit down, when suddenly the sound of a lighter clicking came from the darkness.

A ghostly blue flame flared up, illuminating Hayden's grim face.

He sat in a single armchair, a cigarette between his fingers, his gaze fixed heavily on me.

"Where were you?"

He spoke, his voice hoarse.

I ignored him, walking straight to the bar to pour a glass of warm water.

Hayden suddenly stood up, striding over and grabbing my wrist.

"I asked you a question!"

He grabbed precisely my injured right hand.

I gasped in pain, and the water glass fell from my hand, shattering on the floor.

Only then did Hayden notice the thick bandages on my hand.

He froze, instinctively loosening his grip, a flash of panic in his eyes.

"Your hand... what did the doctor say?"

"Won't die."

I threw his words from earlier right back at him.

Hayden's face stiffened. He irritably loosened his tie, softening his tone.

"I was harsh earlier. But Seraphina didn't do it on purpose. You embarrassed her in front of all those people. I had to consider her feelings. I'll have my assistant send over some limited-edition jewelry tomorrow. Consider it an apology."

A slap, then a sweet treat.

This was his usual method for taming pets.

I looked at Hayden, suddenly feeling very tired.

I didn't even have the energy to be angry.

"No need. I'm tired. I want to rest."

I walked past him, heading upstairs.

Hayden followed, embracing me from behind, his chin resting in the hollow of my neck, his voice low and husky.

"Chloe, stop being difficult. After Seraphina's matter is handled, I'll take you to meet my grandfather and make our relationship official, okay?"

My body stiffened like stone.

Just then, Hayden's phone on the bedside table rang.

A special ringtone. Seraphina.

Hayden paused, releasing me and walking over to answer.

"Hayden..."

Seraphina's tearful voice came through.

"There's thunder outside. I'm so scared... Can you come keep me company?"

Thunder indeed rumbled outside.

Hayden frowned, glancing at my silent figure, but ultimately picked up his coat.

"Seraphina has claustrophobia. I'll go check on her. Go to bed early."

He hurried out of the bedroom.

The sound of a car engine starting came from downstairs, soon disappearing into the rainy night.

I walked to the window, watching that black car melt into the darkness. I smiled.

I turned and took out my phone, about to contact the consultant to confirm tomorrow's flight, but received an email from the airline about a cancelled ticket.

Immediately after, a text message popped up.

"Miss Blake, your passport status is abnormal. You have been restricted from leaving the country."

My whole body stiffened, blood running ice cold.

I quickly checked my bank account and discovered that after I donated the fifty million from the black card that afternoon, Hayden's assistant had checked my transaction history.

Though Hayden had gone to Seraphina's place, he'd canceled the card and even used his connections to lock down my exit permissions.

He was warning me that without his permission, I couldn't escape even with wings.

The airport route was completely blocked.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down.

I found Hayden's grandfather's number and called.

"Mr. Holloway Senior."

As soon as he answered, I said directly,

"Hayden has restricted my exit. If you still want me to disappear from your lives forever, I need your help."

The other end was silent for a moment, then his cold, hard voice came through.

"What do you want to do?"

"I need an absolutely safe private flight route, and also, a completely new identity."

I said,

"In exchange, I'll give you a Chloe Blake who's 'dead' and gone for good, guaranteed that Hayden will never find me again for the rest of his life."