Sabrina's stomach rumbled as the delicious aroma of cooking from the neighbor wafted through the air. She glanced at the time on her phone. 7:30pm. She'd slept for almost six hours.
She was starving, and the mouthwatering aroma of the food teased her relentlessly. With a dramatic flair, she glanced to her left, as if speaking to an invisible neighbor.
"Just wait," she muttered playfully, narrowing her eyes in mock warning. "You haven't tried my cooking yet, in case you forgot I'm a capable chef." She smirked, pretending to defend her culinary honor, even though there was no one around to hear her. "One bite and you'll be begging for more!"
"Well, I should probably eat something," she muttered to herself, running her fingers through her hair.
But she couldn't. The money she had worked so hard to save was nearly gone. Every penny had been used to pay for bills and their daily necessities, and they were barely scraping by.
Lately, she had been so caught up in the endless tasks of running the small, struggling restaurant that she often forgot to take care of herself. The days blurred together with long hours spent cooking, cleaning, and managing the business, leaving little time for anything else. Meals became an afterthought, pushed aside in favor of keeping the restaurant afloat.
It had been ten years since they ran away from home, 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 as she clutched Emma and fled into the night.
They 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, Sabrina hoped this woman would be there, someone they could rely on amid the chaos. She had carried Emma through the dark streets until they finally reached the cleaner's door. It was a fragile moment of hope in a world that had suddenly become dangerous and unfamiliar.
When she had first told the cleaner 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.
They survived on the small amount of money Sabrina's mother had secretly stashed away, along with some jewelry she had hidden for emergencies. With the help of the cleaner, who risked returning to the Baelleigh mansion because it was too dangerous for the girls to go back themselves, she managed to retrieve the precious items for them.
The cleaner's brave act provided them with just enough to get by, allowing Sabrina to sell the jewelry 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 identities and 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 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 eventually convinced Sabrina to allow her 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 protect her sister and avenge her parents' deaths. But her search for the truth only brought more pain and heartbreak.
It was a devastating discovery. The mansion, which was once their home, 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.
For a moment, Sabrina and Emma both considered giving up and running away again, but they decided to fight instead.
With the help of their solicitor, they sold the mansion, using the proceeds to continue their study, purchase a small restaurant and set up a new life for themselves. Finally, they were able to stay one step ahead of their pursuers, hid 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, ten years later, 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 stay here 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 the phone and dialed the unfamiliar number, 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. "Is this Mr. D'Angelo?"
"Yes, it is. What can I do for you, Miss...?"
Sabrina hesitated, trying to find the courage to speak. "It's Baelleigh. Sabrina Baelleigh. My late father sent me."
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, Mr. D'Angelo had a soft side for those in real trouble, especially kids. He had known Sabrina's father, and there was a silent understanding between them built on favors and respect. Hearing Sabrina mention her father made him pause, though he kept his voice calm. He was a man who trusted few, always careful about who he helped and why.
Sabrina knew she was taking a huge risk by revealing her identity, but she had no other option.
There was a moment of silence, and Sabrina held her breath, wondering if she had made a terrible mistake.
Then the man's voice came again, a little louder this time, and there was a hint of interest in his tone.
"I see. What can I do for you, Miss Baelleigh?" he asked without any genuine interest, as if her situation was just another task on his to-do list. He didn't bother probing for more details or showing any empathy, clearly uninterested in her struggles or the reasons that had brought her to this point.
Sabrina swallowed hard, feeling a surge of uncertainties. His detached demeanor made it clear that he wasn't here out of kindness but obligation, and that only fueled her growing frustration.
"I'm in need of your services, Mr. D'Angelo. I need some money. Can I sell my mother's diamond ring? And... 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."
A short, tense pause followed, then a low chuckle.
"I'm intrigued," the man said. "You certainly don't sound like any of the other brides I've had."
Sabrina couldn't help but feel a sense of relief.
"Do we have a deal?"
"Yes, of course. Let's meet and discuss the details. How about tomorrow morning, at 9:00?"
"That sounds perfect."
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. 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.
The next few days, as Sabrina was busy preparing dishes in the small, cluttered kitchen of the restaurant, the bell above the door chimed. She glanced up, wiping her hands on her apron, expecting a regular customer or maybe another delivery. Instead, she froze.
A tall, handsome man stood in the doorway, dressed in a sharp, expensive suit that made it clear he was used to power and luxury. He carried himself with confidence, his eyes scanning the room with a mix of disdain and curiosity, as if he found her small restaurant beneath him but couldn't look away. When his gaze met hers, the air seemed to change, thick with an unspoken tension.
Sabrina's heart skipped a beat, unsure of what to make of his presence.
Was he the one Mr. D'Angelo had sent for me as my future husband?
Her pulse quickened as the thought lingered in her head. She studied him carefully, trying to read his expression, but his face remained unreadable, his eyes sharp and calculating. She couldn't help but wonder if he had been sent to fulfill the arrangement she'd discussed with Mr. D'Angelo, or if he was just another unexpected visitor.
Either way, she knew this moment would change everything.
But his next words made her hate him instantly.
"This place," he sneered, glancing around at the worn furniture and humble décor, "it's nothing like what I expected. How do you even run a business like this? I can't believe people actually eat here. This place looks like it's falling apart." The moment he spoke with such blatant contempt, Sabrina's temper flared.