Chereads / CONTRACT MARRIAGE WITH THE DEVIL BILLIONAIRE / Chapter 3 - Chapter 3: Into the Abyss

Chapter 3 - Chapter 3: Into the Abyss

The edge of the cliff loomed closer, the jagged rocks below barely visible in the faint moonlight. The car roared toward it, the pursuing vehicle close behind, its headlights glaring like hungry eyes.

"Are you insane?!" Emma screamed, her fingers digging into the armrest.

Andrian's jaw was tight, his hands steady on the wheel. "Trust me."

She clutched her chest, her heart pounding in terror. "You keep saying that! Why should I—"

The car skidded sharply to the left, tires screeching as Andrian spun the wheel. Emma was thrown sideways, her scream blending with the sound of the engine.

With a sudden jolt, the car veered off the main road and plunged into a narrow path hidden by the overgrowth. The world outside turned into a blur of trees and darkness.

The pursuing car tried to follow, but the entrance was too tight. It slammed into the edge of the trail, metal crunching as the vehicle came to a halt.

Emma gasped for air, her hands trembling as she gripped the seatbelt. "What just happened?"

Andrian didn't answer, his focus on navigating the treacherous path. The narrow road dipped and curved dangerously, the cliff's edge never far away.

★★★

The Chase Isn't Over

For a moment, Emma thought they'd escaped. The forest around them was eerily quiet, broken only by the sound of the car's tires crunching against gravel. But then she heard it—the distant roar of an engine.

"They're coming," Andrian said, his voice grim.

"How?!" she demanded, panic lacing her words.

"They'll always find a way," he replied, his knuckles white on the steering wheel.

The faint glow of headlights appeared in the distance, weaving through the trees like predators stalking their prey. Emma's stomach churned as the realization hit her—they weren't safe yet.

"What do they want from me?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Andrian's gaze flicked to her, something unreadable in his expression. "It's not you they want. It's what you represent."

Emma's breath hitched. "What does that even mean?"

Before he could answer, the pursuing car burst onto the trail, its headlights piercing through the darkness. Andrian cursed under his breath and slammed on the gas.

★★★

A Desperate Move

The car shot forward, bouncing violently as the rough terrain became more uneven. Emma clutched the dashboard, her body jolting with every bump.

"They're too close!" she shouted, glancing over her shoulder.

"I see that," Andrian snapped, his voice taut with tension.

The trail narrowed further, the trees closing in around them like a cage. Up ahead, a fallen tree blocked most of the path, leaving only a small gap on the left.

Andrian's jaw tightened. "Hold on."

"What?!"

The car swerved sharply, the tires skidding dangerously close to the edge of the cliff. Emma screamed as the vehicle scraped against the rocks, the sound of metal grinding filling her ears.

The pursuing car wasn't as lucky. It tried to follow but clipped the fallen tree, spinning out of control before slamming into a boulder. Flames erupted from the hood, lighting up the night.

Emma's chest heaved as she stared at the burning wreckage in the side mirror. "Did we… did we get away?"

Andrian didn't answer. His eyes remained fixed on the road ahead, his expression unreadable.

★★★

The Safehouse

After what felt like an eternity, Andrian pulled the car off the trail and into a secluded clearing. A small cabin stood in the shadows, its windows dark and unwelcoming.

"This is where we'll stop for now," Andrian said, cutting the engine.

Emma hesitated, her fingers still gripping the armrest. "Why should I go in there with you?"

He turned to her, his gaze intense. "Because you don't have another choice."

She swallowed hard, her body trembling as she unbuckled her seatbelt. The moment she stepped out of the car, the cold night air wrapped around her like a warning.

The cabin felt oppressive, its silence unnerving as Andrian led her inside. He flicked on a small lamp, the dim light casting long shadows across the walls.

Emma crossed her arms, her voice shaky. "I need answers. Now."

Andrian locked the door behind them and turned to face her. "You're not ready for the full truth."

Her frustration boiled over. "Not ready? I've been shot at, chased, and nearly driven off a cliff! If now isn't the time for answers, then when?"

Andrian's eyes softened, but his tone remained firm. "If I tell you everything now, it'll put you in even more danger."

"More danger than this?" she snapped, gesturing wildly toward the door.

"Yes," he said simply, his voice like steel.

★★★

The Unexpected Visitor

Before Emma could argue further, a loud knock echoed through the cabin, freezing them both in place.

Emma's blood ran cold. "They found us."

Andrian motioned for her to stay silent, his hand already reaching for a gun tucked into his jacket.

The knock came again, louder this time.

"Stay here," Andrian whispered, his voice low but firm.

Emma's pulse raced as she watched him move toward the door, his movements cautious and calculated. She pressed herself against the wall, her breath shallow as fear took hold.

Andrian opened the door a crack, his body blocking Emma's view of whoever was outside.

"What are you doing here?" Andrian asked, his tone sharp and dangerous.

A familiar voice answered, sending a jolt through Emma's chest.

"You didn't think you could keep her hidden forever, did you?"

Emma's knees weakened as recognition set in.

It was Alexander.

Shadows of the Past

Emma's breath hitched at the sound of Alexander's voice. She couldn't see him, but the deep, familiar timbre sent a shiver down her spine.

Andrian stood in the doorway, blocking her view, his body tense like a coiled spring. "You shouldn't be here," he said, his voice sharp and unyielding.

Alexander's laugh was low and bitter. "And yet, here I am. Move aside, Andrian. We need to talk."

"We have nothing to discuss," Andrian replied coldly.

Emma's heart pounded as she pressed herself against the wall, her mind racing. How did Alexander find her? And why was Andrian acting like they knew each other?

"Emma," Alexander called out, his voice softer now. "Are you in there? I just want to talk."

Her legs trembled as conflicting emotions surged through her—fear, anger, and an aching desperation to hear the truth.

"Stay back," Andrian growled, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade.

But Emma couldn't stay silent any longer. "Why are you here, Alexander?" she called out, her voice shaking.

Andrian turned to her, his eyes flashing with warning. "Emma, don't—"

"I need answers," she interrupted, her gaze flicking between the two men. "And I'm not waiting any longer."

★★★

The Tension Escalates

Andrian's jaw clenched, but before he could stop her, Emma stepped closer to the door. She didn't dare move past Andrian's protective stance, but she stood firm.

Alexander's face appeared in the gap of the doorway. He looked rougher than she remembered—his once-polished demeanor replaced with dark circles under his eyes and a shadow of stubble on his jaw.

"Emma," he said again, relief and regret mixing in his tone. "I didn't want to leave you. You have to believe me."

Her voice cracked as she spoke. "You left me at the altar, Alexander. You humiliated me in front of everyone. And now, you just show up?"

"I had no choice," he said, his eyes pleading. "They made me—"

"Enough," Andrian interrupted, stepping between them. "You don't get to waltz in here and spin your lies."

Alexander's expression hardened. "You think you're protecting her, Andrian? She deserves the truth."

"And you think you're the one to give it to her?" Andrian shot back, his voice icy. "You're part of the reason she's in danger."

Emma's head spun as their words collided like a storm. "Stop it! Both of you!"

Her shout silenced them. She took a shaky breath, her hands trembling at her sides. "Someone needs to tell me what's going on. Why are both of you acting like you know something I don't?"

Andrian turned to her, his expression softening slightly. "Emma, it's not safe for you to—"

"She has a right to know," Alexander interrupted, his voice firm. "She's already in this whether you like it or not."

★★★

The Danger Outside

Before either of them could say more, a sharp noise from outside froze them all in place. The sound of crunching gravel echoed through the still night.

"They've found us," Andrian muttered, his hand immediately reaching for the gun at his side.

Alexander's expression darkened. "You led them here."

"Enough," Andrian snapped. "If you want to stay alive, you'll do what I say."

Emma's stomach twisted as fear took hold. "Who are they? Why are they after me?"

Andrian's gaze locked onto hers, his voice low and urgent. "Because you're the key to something they want."

The cryptic answer only added to her confusion, but there was no time to press him for more. A loud bang sounded from outside, followed by muffled voices.

"They're closing in," Andrian said. "We need to move."

"Move where?" Emma asked, panic lacing her voice.

"To the safe room," Andrian replied, already ushering her toward the back of the cabin.

Alexander followed, his posture tense. "You think a safe room will stop them? You know what they're capable of."

"Then I suggest you help instead of criticizing," Andrian shot back, his tone sharp.

★★★

The Cabin Under Siege

They reached a hidden door at the back of the cabin, Andrian pushing it open to reveal a small, reinforced room. The walls were lined with steel, the air cold and heavy with a sense of confinement.

"Get in," Andrian ordered, motioning for Emma to step inside.

She hesitated, the tight space making her chest tighten with anxiety. "I don't want to—"

"You don't have a choice," he said, his voice firm but not unkind.

Another bang echoed from the front of the cabin, louder this time. Emma flinched, her legs moving on instinct as she stepped into the room. Andrian and Alexander followed, Andrian locking the heavy door behind them.

The silence inside the safe room was suffocating, broken only by Emma's shallow breaths. "What happens now?"

Andrian didn't answer immediately. Instead, he pulled a monitor from the wall, revealing security camera feeds of the cabin's exterior. Several figures were moving through the trees, their faces obscured by masks.

"Who are they?" Emma whispered, her voice trembling.

"The kind of people you don't want to meet," Alexander said grimly.

"They're here for her," Andrian said, his tone low. "And they won't leave without a fight."

Emma's chest tightened as the weight of his words sank in. "Why me?"

Neither man answered.

★★★

A sudden crash shook the walls of the cabin, followed by the sound of splintering wood. The feed on the monitor showed the front door being kicked open, masked figures pouring into the cabin like a flood.

"They're inside," Andrian said, his voice calm but tense.

Alexander reached for a weapon strapped to his side. "You can't fight them all, Andrian."

"We don't have to," Andrian replied, his gaze shifting to Emma. "We just need to protect her."

Emma's voice wavered as she spoke. "And what if you can't?"

Andrian's gray eyes locked onto hers, his expression hard and resolute. "That's not an option."

The sound of footsteps grew louder, the intruders getting closer to the safe room. Emma's pulse roared in her ears as she backed against the cold steel wall.

And then, the lights went out.