Ella had lost everything. After her mother’s accident, her father married someone else and pushed her aside, choosing his new family over her. Her friends slowly left, and she was left to deal with everything alone. She spent all her money to keep her mother on life support. Now, she was broke, exhausted, and barely holding on.

Then Nicholas showed up.

He was a stranger—handsome, confident, and calm. But what shocked her most was the marriage certificate he brought. According to him, they got married in Vegas. The problem? Ella doesn’t remember it at all.

She already has too much to deal with—her sick mom, the hospital bills, and her fiancé, who has been her only support. She can’t afford to lose him now.

But Nicholas won’t go away. He says he’s her husband, and he wants her to come with him. Ella feels drawn to him in a way she can’t explain. He sees through her like no one else does.

She knows she should walk away. She knows she should stay with the safe life she’s trying to hold on to. But something about Nicholas pulls her in—and she’s scared he might break her in the end.

Nicholas didn't take her to a hospital.


Instead, he drove straight to a private doctor he kept on call — a man who asked no questions and worked quietly, discreetly. Nicholas had used him before, on darker nights when things had gotten ugly.


But he had never brought someone like her.


The name sat heavy on his tongue as he drove faster, weaving through the streets like a man possessed.


She made a soft sound beside him, barely audible.


Nicholas immediately reached over again, brushing her hair back from her face, murmuring soothing nonsense just to fill the air and let her know he was there.


"Almost there, sweetheart. Just hold on a little longer."


When he finally pulled up outside a nondescript brick building, he leapt out of the car and was at her side in seconds.


Chapter 21 - Not Leaving