As Ana put the twins to bed, the cottage was eerily quiet, with the soft shadows cast by the bedside lamp's dim glow. Alaric and Isolde were already curled up under the blankets, half asleep. Even though they appeared calm, Ana felt a familiar uneasiness tighten in her chest.
She brushed a lock of hair away from Isolde's face and whispered, "Goodnight, my loves."
With a sluggish voice, Alaric murmured, "Good night, Mama."
With a shaky breath, she shut off the lamp and slipped the door behind her. She had felt an unseen burden bearing down on her ever since the legal battle. Dorian's competitors were engaged in a much riskier game than merely vying for his wealth.
Dorian was sitting at the kitchen table downstairs with papers all over him and his laptop open. His jaw was clenched and his eyes darted across the screen.
Ana's voice was softer than she meant when she said, "You should get some rest."
Dorian raised his head and met her eyes. His expression softened from its hardness for a moment. "I can't," he said. "Every time I believe I've figured this out, something else comes up."
After hesitating, Ana moved across the room to take a seat opposite him. "Do you believe they will cease?"
His voice was low as he shook his head. "Not until everything has been destroyed."
"Everything," Ana said again, her throat constricted. "Doesn't that include us?"
Dorian spoke firmly as he leaned forward. "I refuse to allow that to occur. Not to you. Not to the twins.
They both froze when there was a sharp knock on the door before And could react.
Dorian got up instantly and walked tensely to the door. He said softly, "Stay here," in a tone that made no room for debate.
When he opened the door and saw Hazel, her face white and her eyes wide with fear, Ana's heart began to race.
"What's wrong, Hazel?" Ana hurried over to her friend's side and asked.
With a quivering voice, Hazel entered. Tonight, there were men outside my house. Although they didn't see me, they were discussing you.
"What about me?" Ana's blood ran cold as she echoed.
With a voice that was hardly audible above a whisper, Hazel stated, "They mentioned the twins." "I believe they have something planned, Ana."
Dorian's hands clenched into fists as his face grew serious. He snarled, "This has gone too far." "We must depart. Tonight.
"Go?" Ana's voice rose as she spoke. "And where do you go? They will simply follow us.
Dorian's voice was determined as he said, "We'll figure something out." However, we cannot remain here. It is no longer safe.
---
They made a hasty plan to leave the village. While Ana collected the twins and tried not to show her fear, Dorian packed a bag with necessities.
"Why are we going, Mama?" Isolde inquired in a bewildered little voice.
"It's only for a short time, my love," Ana said, trying to smile. "A journey."
Alaric rubbed his eyes and protested, "But it's so late."
Dorian knelt before them and said, "I know." However, adventures can occasionally take place at night. And I'll protect you, I swear.
As they walked to the car parked outside, they clung to him, seemingly reassured by his words. The village was shrouded in darkness and the night was still.
Ana couldn't get rid of the sensation that they were being watched as they traveled down the twisting road. The road behind them was deserted, but her gaze flitted to the rearview mirror.
"Are you certain that this is the proper approach?" Her voice was tight as she asked.
With his hands still on the wheel, Dorian replied, "Yes." "In the city, I have a safe place. We won't be discovered there.
However, the headlights of another car appeared in the distance behind them as he was finishing his sentence. With its lights blazing through the rear window, the car sped closer.
Ana's heart was racing. "Dorian..."
His voice was tense as he said, "I see them."
In an attempt to push them off the road, the car behind them swerved violently. With steady hands, Dorian steered around the sharp turns while muttering curses.
He yelled, "Hold on!" as the other vehicle crashed into their rear bumper.
Ana put her arms around the twins as they screamed, her heart pounding.
"They won't stop, Dorian!" She sobbed.
His voice was deadly calm as he said, "I won't let them get to you."
Dorian applied the brakes, causing their car to skid around the sharp bend in the road ahead. The other car trailed behind but lost control, slamming into the trees with a loud crash.
Dorian continued. The tension in the car started to subside as he drove until the village lights were far behind them and the forest gave way to open fields.
---
At last, they came to a halt at a modest motel located outside the city. The space was small but secure, and Dorian started right away to lock the doors and windows.
With the twins in her arms, Ana sat on the edge of the bed, her hands shaking.
"Mama, will we be alright?" Isolde muttered.
Even though she was terrified, Ana's voice remained steady as she said, "Yes, sweetheart." "Everything will be alright."
Dorian's face softened as he knelt before them. "No one will harm you, I assure you. Not while I'm in this place.
The barriers Ana had erected around her heart briefly started to crumble when their eyes locked.
"Dorian," she uttered softly, her voice wavering. "Why is this taking place? Why are they unable to simply leave us alone?
He explained, "Because they're desperate." "They're trying to use the people I care about to get to me because they know I won't back down."
Unspoken emotion weighed heavily on his words as they hung in the air.
He went on, his voice cracking, "I never wanted this for you." For any one of you. I believed that by avoiding you, I was protecting you, but all I accomplished was to exacerbate the situation.
Ana's hand touched his as she extended hers. "Dorian, we are powerless to alter the past. However, we can battle for the future.
His eyes were filled with a mix of regret and resolve as he looked up at her. "And I'll," he added. "No matter the cost."
They both froze when they heard a car engine outside. Tensed, Dorian walked to the window and looked through the curtains.
"Is it them?" With a pounding heart, Ana whispered.
Dorian's jaw tensed as he delayed responding. Then he faced her, his tone firm and low. Keep the twins by your side. Never open the door for someone else.
"Dorian—"
With a tone that left no room for debate, he declared, "I'll handle it."
Ana's thoughts were racing with a thousand options as he stepped outside. She was left alone with the twins in the oppressive silence as the door clicked shut behind him.
Outside, piercing, urgent voices arose in the darkness. Breathing heavily, Ana pressed her ear to the door and tried to hear what was being said.
The silence was broken by a single loud bang just as the tension was about to explode.
Ana's blood froze. "Dorian?" Her voice trembled as she whispered.
The eerie silence that ensued was the only explanation.