Chapter 2

Run.

That was the only thought in my head.

I didn't even stop to change my clothes. I grabbed my phone and ID card off the table, held Leo tight against my chest, and ran.

The hallway lights in the basement corridor flickered on and off.

I could hear my own heartbeat pounding in my ears like a drum.

Drip. Drip.

The sound of water hitting the floor followed right behind me.

I didn't look back. I ran like I'd lost my mind, out of the basement and onto the street.

The streets were deserted at this hour. A cold gust of wind hit me, and I realized my clothes were soaked through with sweat.

Leo was slumped against my shoulder, no longer crying, but her small body was still trembling uncontrollably.

I pulled out my phone to call a ride.

The screen had barely lit up when an unknown number came through.

My hand jerked. I answered.

A man's voice came through the line — low and threatening.

"Ashley. That was fast."

My blood ran cold.

It was my cousin from my uncle's side of the family, Mason Miller.

Years ago, when my mom and I were thrown out of the Miller family, Mason had been right there, watching with a smirk on his face like it was entertainment.

"Mason. What do you want?" I said through gritted teeth.

"What do I want? You're a bastard child. What gives you the right to claim fifty million from Grandpa's estate?" He let out a cold laugh. "I'm telling you — hand over that document, or I promise neither you nor that little bastard of yours makes it through tonight."

"I don't want the inheritance! Split it among yourselves!"

"Cut the crap! You already signed it — legally, you're the heiress now! Where are you? I'm coming to find you right now!"

I hung up and immediately powered off my phone.

We couldn't stay here.

The Miller family had deep roots in this city, and Mason was the kind of guy who didn't play by any rules. He kept a crew of hired muscle on his payroll.

If he found us, Leo and I were finished.

I held Leo close and flagged down a taxi with its light on at the curb.

"To the train station — as fast as you can!"

The driver was a middle-aged man. One look at my face and he didn't ask a single question — he just floored it.

The city lights blurred past the window.

I let out a shaky breath and looked down at Leo.

He was staring straight at the window, wide eyes fixed on the glass.

"Leo? What's wrong?" I reached up and touched his head.

He turned to look at me.

His eyes were completely blank. Distant.

That was not the look of a four-year-old.

He opened his mouth. What came out was low, hoarse — rough in a way that didn't belong to a child's voice at all.

"He's coming after us."

My whole body went cold.

"Leo, say something — don't scare Mommy like that!" I grabbed his shoulders and shook him.

No response. He just turned back to the window and stared.

I followed his gaze.

In the rearview mirror, a black SUV was tailing us like a predator locked onto prey.

The high beams were blinding.

It was Mason's car.