It had been ten years since Sabrina and Emma ran away from the wreck, and everything had changed. The memory of that tragic night was still vivid in her mind, especially her mother's last, desperate message: "Run, hide, and trust none." Those words had become a guiding mantra, echoing in her mind every single day.
At the tragic night, Sabrina found safety in the small, cozy home of her mother's trusted cleaner, a kind woman who visited their house weekly to help with the chores. In her desperation, she hoped this woman would be there, someone they could rely on amid the chaos. She had managed to carry Emma through the dark streets until they finally reached the cleaner's door.
When she had first told about their parents, the old woman had been horrified, but she promised to keep them safe. Sabrina and Emma lived there, hiding and protected for almost eight years.
With the help of the cleaner, who risked returning to the Baelleigh mansion as it was too dangerous for the girls to go back themselves, she managed to retrieve the precious items for them.
They survived on the small amount of money Sabrina's mother had secretly stashed away, along with some jewelries she had hidden for emergencies.
The cleaner's brave act provided them with just enough to get by, allowing Sabrina to sell the jewelries piece by piece to cover their basic needs and studies while keeping their whereabouts hidden from those who sought to harm them.
The cleaner, kind and compassionate, also helped them by offering shelter and some financial support until Sabrina was old enough start working odd jobs.
Over time, Sabrina took on more responsibilities, eventually managing to secure a job at a local diner and other part time jobs, which helped them get by. She was resourceful, stretching every penny to make sure they had food and a roof over their heads while also saving whatever she could for Emma's future.
Then one day, their home was invaded by men wearing black. They were searching for the girls, and it was clear that they wouldn't stop until they found them. It was only the old woman's quick thinking and her years of experience in cleaning the Baelleigh mansion that saved them. She hid the girls, then made a false trail for the intruders to follow, buying them enough time to escape.
Her clever ploy succeeded, but it came at a terrible price. The men, furious at being deceived, turned their wrath on the cleaner. She paid the ultimate price for her bravery, sacrificing her life to ensure Sabrina and Emma's safety. Her sacrifice devastated Sabrina, a painful reminder of the dangers lurking around every corner and the cost of their freedom.
But that day, their life changed forever.
In the years that followed, the girls kept moving, constantly hiding and looking over their shoulders, waiting for their enemies to catch up. They were always on the run, never staying in one place for too long, constantly changing their location. It was exhausting and stressful, but they had no choice.
Eventually, Emma grew tired of the constant movement. She wanted to go back to their old mansion, to confront the danger, but Sabrina wasn't willing to take the risk. If their enemies caught them, they would die. There was no way to escape, and the odds were stacked against them. It would be a foolish gamble, one she couldn't afford to make.
But Emma was persistent and she never believed any of them and eventually convinced Sabrina to return home. Together, they traveled back to the Baelleigh mansion, taking a risky gamble on the hope that they could uncover the truth and put an end to the decades-old conflict.
Sabrina wasn't sure what they would find when they returned, but she was determined to search for the truth.
The path to the truth, however, only brought more pain and heartbreak. It was far darker than she could have imagined.
It was a devastating discovery. The mansion, which was once their home and had once been a symbol of their family's wealth and legacy was gone—sold to a new owner without their consent. It was like their entire life had been erased in an instant.
It was now an empty shell, filled with nothing but memories of the past. Their family was gone, the truth had vanished, and their enemies were still after them.
When she sought help from their relatives, she was met with cold rejection. They turned their backs on her and Emma, calling them impostors, claiming the accident had destroyed the Baelleigh family.
Sabrina was left to confront the devastating reality that the people they once trusted had abandoned them. Her heart shattered with each cruel word and accusation, and their betrayal only deepened the grief of losing her parents.
With the help of their solicitor, Elbert D'Angelo, they secretly managed to sell a few remaining assets, using the small proceeds to continue their studies, purchase a modest restaurant, and set up a new life for themselves. They also managed to sell a few other belongings, scraping together whatever they could to stay afloat. Finally, they were able to stay one step ahead of their pursuers, hide themselves, and change their family name.
The life they were living wasn't ideal, but it was a start, and they were determined to make the most of it.
Now, more than a decade later after the accident, they were still struggling to survive, but their enemies seemed to have finally given up the chase. Their new identity, along with their business, had given them the chance to put their past behind them. But that didn't mean they could stop looking over their shoulders or being cautious. They had no idea if their pursuers were still out there, waiting and watching.
As she stared down at the last piece of her mother's jewelry, a beautiful diamond ring, Sabrina realized that she had no choice. It was their only hope.
With a heavy heart, she made a decision. It was a gamble, but she had no choice. It was time to use her last resort and hope that it was enough.
Sabrina's eyes fell on the stack of papers, their bills, and she felt the familiar fear settle in her chest. The reality was that their money was nearly gone.
They couldn't make it anymore, and their options were running out. She had to find a way out. She had to take the risk, or they would lose everything.
Her hand trembled as she picked up her phone and dialed the familiar number with her heart racing. This was their last hope. She could only pray that they would be lucky enough to make it.
"Hello," a man's deep voice answered.
Sabrina's voice shook as she spoke. "Mr. D'Angelo?"
Then the man's voice came again, a little louder this time, and there was a hint of interest in his tone. "What can I do for you, Sabrina?"
Elbert D'Angelo was a man who didn't say much but knew a lot. His face was lined with years of hard experiences, and his sharp eyes seemed to miss nothing. He had a reputation for getting things done quietly and without asking too many questions. People both respected and feared him because of his connections and ability to handle tricky situations.
Despite his tough appearance, Elbert had a soft side for those in real trouble, especially kids. He had known Sabrina's father for years, and there was a silent understanding between them built on favors and respect. He was a man who trusted few, always careful about who he helped and why.
There was a moment of silence, and Sabrina held her breath, wondering if she had made a terrible mistake.
Sabrina swallowed hard, feeling a surge of uncertainties. She hesitated, trying to find the courage to speak.
Taking a deep breath, she finally found her voice. "Mr. D'Angelo, I need your help," she said, her words barely above a whisper.
Another pause. Then, his voice came through, steady and unreadable. "What kind of help are we talking about?"
Her grip tightened around the phone. "I... I need a way out. A solution before everything falls apart."
Elbert was silent for a moment before he finally spoke. "Tell me exactly what you need, Miss."
Sabrina took a deep breath, steadying herself. "I need more money, Mr. D'Angelo. The money from the assets we sold is nearly gone, and the debts are piling up. I have no other choice but to sell my mother's last jewelry… her diamond ring that costs a fortune."
She hesitated, gripping the phone tighter. "It was one of her most prized possessions, but I don't have the luxury of holding onto sentiment anymore. It's the only thing left of hers, but we can't survive without the money."
There was a long pause on the other end of the line. When Elbert finally spoke, his voice was calm but firm.
"Selling a diamond ring might give you some quick cash, but it won't solve your problems in the long run, Sabrina." He sighed. "Are you sure you want to part with it? Once it's gone, there's no getting it back."
Sabrina swallowed hard. "I know… but I don't see another way out."
After a long pause, Elbert finally spoke, his voice steady and measured.
"I told you before," he said. "There is a way."
Sabrina tightened her grip on the phone, her heart pounding.
"I can't believe you always plant me that idea," she asked hesitantly.
"You know that your parents left you a huge inheritance, hidden away for a time like this... but of course, it comes with a condition." His words trailed off.
Sabrina continued his words with a calm voice, "Yeah. I can receive it, but only if I get married."
"Exactly. And not just any marriage—a legal, binding one. No loopholes, no shortcuts. The kind that makes sure you're tied down before you can touch a single cent of that fortune."
"What sort of idea is that? I'm still young, single, poor, and no one likes me. How could I possibly get married?" Her voice wavered with frustration.
His voice remained calm, almost too calm. "Yes, you can. Through a marriage of convenience, or a sort of contract marriage. It's not uncommon in situations like yours. But you need to understand, it comes with its own set of risks."
Sabrina's heart skipped a beat, her mind racing as she processed his words. A marriage of convenience? The idea seemed strange, almost ridiculous, but she was too desperate to think clearly.
"Are you saying I should marry someone just for fortune?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly. "Is that even... possible?"
Elbert's voice was steady, though there was a hint of something colder beneath his words. "It's not about love, Sabrina. It's about survival. There are men who need a wife for business reasons, and they'll pay handsomely for it. You take the money, and in return, you fulfill your part of the agreement. It's straightforward, but it comes with risks."
Sabrina could hear the faint rustling of papers on his end, as if he was already considering the possibilities.
There was a long pause on the other end of the line before Elbert spoke, his voice steady but filled with a weight of experience.
"Well then... I need you to find me a suitable husband, someone who will give us the means to start a new life. A good, safe life."
"This isn't something you ask lightly," he said. "Are you sure you're ready for what it might cost?"
She closed her eyes for a moment, then nodded, even though he couldn't see her. "I don't have a choice."
"And you're prepared to deal with the consequences? Once this starts, there's no turning back."
Sabrina tightened her grip on the phone, her voice steady despite the fear creeping in. "I know… but I need your help. Please."
The idea of a marriage wasn't about love or romance, but about finding a safe place to build their lives again, away from the danger that had shadowed them for so long.
She wasn't desperate to find a husband for the sake of it. She just needed stability—a way to start fresh, to pick up the pieces of a life that had been torn apart. She wanted to settle down, secure her sister's future, and leave the past behind her.