Page 59 of Worship Him

"Back off!" he yells at the paparazzi. "You're scaring the baby!"

We make it inside, and I collapse against the wall, my legs weak. Avery's cries echo in the lobby.

"Are you alright, Mrs. Lewis?" he asks, concern etched on his face.

I nod, unable to form words. My hands tremble as I reach for Avery, needing to hold her close.

"I'm so sorry, baby," I whisper, rocking her gently. "It’s okay now. We're safe."

But as Avery's cries subside, a new fear takes hold. How long before nowhere feels safe?

I rush us into our apartment and spring into action, my heart racing as I pull out suitcases from the closet. Clothes fly into the bags, hangers clattering to the floor. I don't have time to fold neatly. Avery watches from her playpen, gurgling happily, oblivious to the chaos.

"We're going on a little trip, cupcake," I coo, trying to keep my voice steady. I need to remain calm so she doesn’t get upset. The last thing I want is to have her sense my unease.

My phone buzzes incessantly. I ignore it, focusing on packing essentials for Avery. Diapers, formula, the pink blanket Adam brought for her. The last thing I grab is her favorite stuffed toy—a fat little elephant. I toss it all in, my hands shaking.

Once the bags are zipped, I scoop Avery into my arms and grab my phone. I need to let my parents know. Guilt twists in my stomach as I type out a message:

"Mom, Dad, I'm so sorry, but I have to cancel dinner tonight. Things have gotten crazy with the press. I need to get out of the city for a while. I'll call and explain everything better later. Maybe you can visit once we're settled. Love you both."

I hit send before I can second-guess myself. The response is immediate:

"Honey, what's going on? Are you okay? Where are you going?"

I can't deal with their questions right now. I'll call them later, once we're safe. Away from the prying eyes and invasive cameras.

"Alright, Avery," I say, hoisting her onto my hip. "Let's blow this popsicle stand."

I grab the bags and head for the door, pausing only to take one last look at our apartment. It's not much, but it's been our haven. Now it feels tainted, exposed.

As I step into the hallway, my neighbor Mrs. Chen pokes her head out.

"Everything okay, dear?" she asks, eyeing my luggage.

I force a smile. "Just a last-minute trip. We'll be back soon."

The lie tastes bitter on my tongue, but I can't risk anyone knowing where we're going. Not when I don't even know myself.

The doorman sees me coming with my luggage and quickly understands that I’ll need his help. He guides me to a side entrance and shows me how to reach the street where my car is parked without being noticed by the paparazzi.

"I’ll try and distract them while you hurry to your car, Mrs. Lewis." He smiles reassuringly.

My smile is small but sincere. "Thanks so much. I owe you a fat tip, and you’ll get it as soon as I’m back."

He shakes his head, still smiling. "Don’t worry about it. I’m happy to help you."

Peeking around the corner, I wait until I see him talking to the paparazzi, curious what he’s saying to them. As soon as they’re occupied, I rush across the street and open the trunk, holding Avery in one arm.

Packing as quickly as I can, I keep an eye on the paparazzi, praying that they don’t notice me.

I slam the trunk shut, my heart pounding in my chest. The weight of the situation crashes down on me as I slide into the driver's seat. Avery gurgles from her car seat, blissfully unaware of the chaos surrounding us.

"We're going on an adventure, cupcake," I say, my voice cracking slightly.

I turn the key, and the engine roars to life. As I pull out of the parking spot, I catch a glimpse of the photographers at the building entrance. My grip tightens on the steering wheel.

"Vultures," I mutter under my breath.

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