Page 46 of Deadly Vows

I watch him as he strolls toward the door, my heart pounding so loudly it makes my ears ring. He stops just before he leaves the room, glancing back at me one last time.

“Don’t make this harder than it has to be,” he says, his voice soft, almost pleading. “This is your life now. Accept it. It’ll be easier that way.”

And then he’s gone, the door closing behind him with a soft click. I sit there, stunned, my mind racing, trying to piece together what I’m supposed to do next. I feel like the rug has been ripped out from under me, and everything I thought I knew has been shattered.

But one thing is crystal clear – I can’t stay here.I won’t.

I stand slowly, my legs shaky, my breath ragged. I have to get out. I don’t know how, but I can’t let him keep me here. I walk over to the window, peeking through the blinds. The neighborhood is quiet, the streets empty and dark. The house is too far from anyone else to hear me scream. It feels hopeless.

But I can’t think like that. I can’t let myself be defeated before I even try.Be smart, Talia.

I move around the house, checking the doors and windows, looking for any way out. But every lock is in place, and every escape route is sealed tight. It’s like a cage, carefully constructed to keep me in. I think about breaking the windows but the ones I could climb out of have iron bars attached to the outside.

My breath quickens as I search for anything that could help. My eyes land on a set of knives in the wooden block on the kitchen counter. My hand trembles as I reach for one, the cool metal feeling foreign in my palm. I grip it tightly, feeling its weight, the assurance of protection, of survival.

I have to get out of here.

I glance toward the front door, but before I can make a move, I hear heavy and purposeful footsteps again. My heart skips a beat, panic rising in my throat. I hide the knife behind my back, stepping away from the kitchen as the door to the hallway creaks open.

Danny stands there, watching me. His eyes flicker down to my hand, and for a second, I think he knows. But then he smirks, shaking his head slightly.

“Still thinking about running?” he asks, calm but amused.

I say nothing, my grip tightening on the knife handle behind me.

“Don’t bother,” he continues, walking slowly toward me. “There’s nowhere to go. Nowhere you can hide that I won’t find you. It’s just you and me, Talia. And the sooner you realize that, the better.”

I step back, trying to keep the distance between us, my mind racing with a thousand different possibilities. But none of them end well.

“Why are you so obsessed with this idea?” I ask, my voice shaking but firm. “You talk about justice, the universe owing you, but this isn’t justice. This is revenge.”

Danny stops a few feet away, his expression dark. “Revenge, justice… what’s the difference?”

“The difference is that I didn’t do anything!” I shout, my anger finally boiling over. “I didn’t kill your father, Danny! I didn’t have anything to do with it!”

“You’re his blood,” he says coldly, his eyes narrowing. “That’s enough.”

I shake my head. “No, you don’t get to punish me for his actions. You don’t get to control my life because of something that happened years ago.”

He steps closer, his voice dangerous. “I do get to control your life. Because now, you’re part of mine. And you’re carrying my baby.”

I’m shaking, my heart pounding so loudly I’m sure he can hear it. My fingers grip the knife so tightly that my knuckles ache, but I don’t let go.

“I don’t belong to you,” I hiss. “I never have, and I never will.”

He takes another step closer, and in one swift motion, I pull the knife from behind my back, holding it out between us.

“Stay back,” I warn.

Danny freezes, his eyes dropping to the blade in my hand. His expression shifts from surprise to anger.

“You don’t want to do that,” he says, his voice a low threat. “Put the knife down.”

I tighten my grip, my heart racing. “I’m leaving,” I say, my voice stronger now. “I don’t care what you think or what you’ve convinced yourself of. I’m leaving, and you’re not going to stop me.”

Danny’s eyes narrow, and for a moment, I think he will lunge at me. But then, to my surprise, he steps back, raising his hands slightly in mock surrender.

“Alright,” he says, his voice eerily calm. “Go ahead.”

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