Chapter 234

Evelyn

"Chloe, Tyler saw us," I panted as we crashed through the overgrowth, thorns scratching at our skin. It had been five minutes of running-nonstop-and yet, strangely... he never followed.

Why?

He had a gun. He could've shot me in the legs. Ended it right there.

But he didn't.

"Don't worry," Chloe huffed beside me, glancing back, "we left him behind."

"No," I shook my head, breath catching, heart hammering. Through the trees, I could see the road ahead-open, quiet, too quiet. Maybe we were close to Jacob. Maybe.

"But... he didn't follow us in the first place," I said, voice lowering as a chill ran through me.

Chloe's eyes snapped wide.

We reached the edge of the forest, one step away from the road-a street so empty it felt abandoned. No passing cars, no movement. Just silence.

And that's when it hit me.

He brought us here on purpose.

"What did you say?" Chloe grabbed my arms. "He didn't follow?"

I nodded, legs trembling, one hand pressed protectively under my belly. "No. He just stood there. Watching."

"Shit-no, no, no!" Chloe's voice cracked. "We need to go back. If he didn't chase,

it means he planned this. He knew we'd pick this route."

Fear slithered up my spine like ice. "W-what?"

"We have to hide-now-or he'll-"

Her phone rang. She snatched it, hands shaking, and answered on speaker. "Hello?" she gasped.

"Chloe, we found your location. Just stay put," Jacob's voice came through— urgent, strained. "Make sure he doesn't find Evelyn. We're one minute out."

"Jacob..." Chloe's voice dropped. "I think we fucked up. Tyler knows. He knows we're here."

"What? Chloe-hide. Run if you have to, just don't let that bastard—"

"Hey, Belladonna."

Tyler's voice rang out behind us-casual, cheery, deadly.

We turned.

He stood across the road, smiling like a man greeting old friends.

"How was the little trip? Had fun?"

If you didn't know the backstory, you'd think he was just... happy to see us.

I felt the blood drain from my face.

"Jacob," I whimpered, "he's here." Tears welled up in my eyes. He's going to kill me. Me and Sienna. I'm not getting out of this.

The phone slipped from Chloe's hands and hit the pavement, shutting off. She turned to me, frantic.

"Evelyn-run!"

"I'm not leaving you, Chloe-we have to-"

"You have to save your baby. Run. Turn the phone back on once you're away. I'll try to stop him."

Her hands pressed the phone into mine. Her eyes pleaded. She was willing to die for me.

Across the street, Tyler stepped closer, still smiling. The road was quiet, his footsteps echoing like death.

"Aww, is this goodbye?" he mocked. "You thought you could actually escape me?" He tilted his head like a predator. This road? This place? You think I didn't plan for every possible exit? I waited Just like t knew I'd need to. You two barely outsmart a toddler, let alone me." s

"Evelyn-run!" Chloe shouted again.

But my legs-

They wouldn't move. They were ice. Useless.

My eyes locked on the gun at his hip. The knife in his pocket. I saw it all happening—he'd kill Chloe, use the gun to stop me. Running was pointless.

"This won't work, Chloe," I whispered, numb with dread. "It's over."

And then-

Two cars.

They screeched around the corner. One window rolled down and a blonde man leaned out, gun aimed.

And behind the glass-Jacob.

His eyes locked with mine, and I saw everything in that moment—the fear, the relief, the rage.

Then he saw Tyler.

"Uh-oh," Tyler said softly, eyes narrowing.

The shot rang out.

Tyler ducked-quick, too quick-then lunged toward me.

He grabbed my wrist like a vice. "Time for us to go, Belladonna."

"You're not taking her!" Chloe screamed, grabbing his arm, trying to wrestle him

off me. "Let her go, Tyler!"

"I really don't have time for this shit," he growled.

Then-

Crack.

He slammed the butt of his gun into Chloe's head. She stumbled backward and collapsed onto the pavement like a broken doll.

"Chloe!" I screamed, lunging toward her, but it was too late.

Tyler shoved me toward a car I hadn't even seen-parked, waiting, ready-and

threw me inside like luggage. The door slammed shut.

Everything had happened in seconds.

Jacob was right there so close-but not close enough.

Was this goodbye?

Because I knew one thing for sure-Tyler wouldn't let me survive twice.

The car took off, tires screeching as we flew down the road. I glanced back, and saw a woman run toward

Chloe, helping hỏi Jacob was yelling-screaming-my name. s

"God, you are such a problem," Tyler spat, speeding faster. "You make me want to kill you, Belladonna. I swear to God, you beg for it. But don't

Godet where I'm taking

worry

once

you, you'll learn." s

Then another voice crackled through the radio.

"Tyler, stop the car!"

A male voice-Jacob.

I turned. Their car was chasing us. Jacob was behind the wheel.

So maybe...

Just maybe...

This wasn't goodbye.