art hammered in her chest, an adrenaline-fueled panic settling in her veins. Norah wasn't weak; she kept fit, worked out regularly, but Daniel was larger, stronger. She wouldn't stand a chance aga

had them. I've nev

ing sinister. "Clever bastard," he muttered, his voice low and dark. He looked back up at her, his cold eyes locking with hers. Then, without war

here the diamonds are, and I'll be back tomorrow to collect. Call the police and I'll sneak into your room and slice this knife ac

surge through her, her vision swimming as terror crawled up her spine like a creeping vine, squeezing the breath out of her.

yes lingered on her for a moment longer, scanning her face as though weighing something in his mind. "See you tomorrow, N

shallow bursts. Her legs finally gave way, and she slid to the floor, her body trembling uncontrollably. Her hands gripped the edges of the counter as she choked on a sob, the

to ease no matter how many times she tried to take a steady breath. Daniel's threat echoed

lief. Her hands shook as she pressed the phone to her ear, the ringing deafening in the o

erate, cracking with emotion, but she forced the words out, clutch

re irritated than concerned. "I've told you be

"You're lying! You know something, Adam! You've

e!" he cut her off sharply.

in her ears. "You have to know something," she whispered, the words

e my own problems." His voice was distant, emotionless, as if he couldn't

Her mind raced in circles, spinning with possibilities, but none of them led to safety. Adam's refusal

could he be so cold? She felt betrayed, alone. The

d the pressure, the challenges Norah faced every day. She trusted Alice with everything, includi

ushed into the conversation, barely able to form coherent words through her panic. "Alice... Alice, you have to

, full of concern. "What? W

don't get them. Adam isn't helping me. He's denying ev

Alice said, cutting through her frantic w

e breaking. "He'll kill me before the po

eep breath, steady and calculating. "Okay," Alice said finally, her voi

had. "Ray's father has a beach house in a place called Bellvale. The family doesn't use it anymore,

ly, her heart sinking at the thought of leavi

r cover. He'll stay with you, keep an eye on you. You'll la

e anyway?" Norah pressed, her

e, I

e safe there, and I'll keep checking in. I'll make sure Daniel doesn't know where you are. If he

nize everything," Norah pr

aid seriously. "Only time for act

ok anything of value, keeping it safe in case Daniel decided to break in again. By dawn, Norah had said her goodbyes, clutching the directions to

in the front seat to sleep with the kitchen knife by her side. The nightmares of Daniel finding her were unrelenting,