Chapter 5

The man shoved me into the dark backseat of the SUV. I held Arthur tightly against my chest. The man climbed in right behind me. He slammed the heavy door shut.

"Drive," he commanded the driver.

The engine roared to life. The SUV shot forward into the dark night. I looked out the tinted window. Bright flashlight beams swept violently across the dirt road. Troy’s guards ran right past our vehicle.

They shouted angrily into their radios. They did not look inside our dark car.

I pressed my back against the cold leather seat. My heart hammered wildly against my ribs. I was completely terrified. I did not know this massive man.

I did not know where he was taking us. But I had my baby. I wrapped my arms around Arthur. I prayed he would not cry.

We drove in absolute silence for an hour. The bright city lights faded away. We entered a thick, dark forest. The trees looked like tall black ghosts. The SUV finally stopped in front of a massive, secluded stone manor.

The man opened the door. He stepped out into the freezing wind. He offered me his large, gloved hand. I ignored it. I climbed out carefully. I shielded Arthur from the cold night air.

We walked into the grand foyer of the manor. Bright crystal chandeliers illuminated the massive space. The man finally took off his heavy trench coat. He turned around to face me.

The breath completely vanished from my lungs.

I recognized him instantly.

It was Inigo Yuchengco.

He was Troy’s absolute best friend from the university. They were completely inseparable during our architecture days. I remembered his sharp jawline. I remembered his dark, piercing eyes. We were introduced at a loud college party years ago. He was charming and brilliant.

But Inigo mysteriously left the city right after graduation. He cut all ties with everyone. He completely disappeared without a single word.

Now, he was standing right in front of me. He looked older. He looked incredibly dangerous.

"Inigo?" I whispered. My voice shook violently. "What are you doing here?"

"I am saving your life, Helena," he said quietly.

He led me upstairs to a beautiful, warm bedroom. A bright fire crackled in the large stone fireplace. A stack of fresh, clean clothes sat on the edge of a massive king bed.

"Change your clothes," Inigo said. "The bathroom is through that door. I will have my staff bring warm milk for the baby."

He closed the heavy wooden door. He left me alone.

I moved quickly. I stripped off the filthy, wet cleaning uniform. I washed the cold mud from my face and arms in the marble sink. I dressed in the soft cashmere sweater and warm leggings he provided.

I wrapped Arthur in a thick, dry blanket.

A gentle knock sounded at the door. Inigo walked in holding a silver tray. He placed a warm bottle of milk on the nightstand.

I sat on the edge of the bed. I fed my hungry son. Inigo stood by the fireplace. He watched us with a strange, unreadable expression. The silence in the room was heavy.

"Why did you save me?" I asked. I stared directly into his dark eyes. "You are Troy's best friend."

"I was his friend," Inigo corrected smoothly. "A very long time ago."

"Troy is alive," I said. The words tasted like bitter poison on my tongue. "I saw him tonight. He faked his death."

Inigo did not look surprised. He did not gasp. He simply nodded his head slowly.

"I know he is alive, Helena," Inigo said softly.

I frowned. My stomach twisted into a tight knot. "How could you possibly know?"

Inigo took a slow, deep breath. He stepped closer to the bed.

"Because I personally helped him do it," Inigo confessed.

My blood turned to pure ice. I pulled Arthur closer to my chest. I stared at Inigo in absolute horror. The room suddenly felt freezing cold.

"You helped him?" I gasped. "You helped him destroy my life? You helped him steal my baby?"

"I helped him fake his death," Inigo said firmly. "I provided the fake passports. I funded his escape. But I did not know about his cruel plan for you. I did not know he was going to lock you in a psychiatric ward. I did not know he was going to steal your son."

"You are a monster," I whispered. Tears of pure anger burned my eyes. "You are just like him."

"I am your only chance at survival," Inigo replied coldly. He did not flinch at my insult. "Troy is completely ruthless. He has the police in his pocket. He has your family fortune. He has the entire world believing you are a crazy, suicidal widow. If you walk out of this house, his men will kill you before morning."

I looked down at Arthur. My sweet baby boy was finally asleep. His tiny chest rose and fell peacefully. I could not risk his innocent life. I could not go back to that white cage. I had nowhere else to go.

"What do you want from me?" I asked bitterly.

Inigo reached into his dark suit pocket. He pulled out a small velvet box. He opened it slowly.

A massive, flawless diamond ring caught the bright light of the fire.

"I want to destroy Troy just as much as you do," Inigo said. His voice was completely serious. "But you need absolute legal protection. You need a new identity. You need a fortress that Troy cannot touch."

He held the beautiful ring out to me.

"I am offering you my name," Inigo declared. "I am offering you my wealth and my absolute protection."

I stared at the glittering diamond. My mind raced wildly. It was a completely insane idea. I was a grieving, betrayed mother. He was the man who helped ruin my life. But it was my only option.

"You must become my wife tomorrow morning," Inigo said. His dark eyes locked fiercely onto mine. "Or they will find you."