Chapter 3 Unexpected news

Elena stared at the pregnancy test in her trembling hand, her heart pounding like a drum. The two pink lines blurred as tears welled up in her eyes. Pregnant. The word echoed in her mind, equal parts joy and terror.

She sank onto the bathroom floor, her head in her hands. This wasn't part of the plan. She'd always dreamed of being a writer, building a life on her own terms. A child didn't fit into the picture-not now, not like this. And the father... she didn't even know his real name.

Elena debated what to do. Should she try to find him? No. A man who disappeared without a word wouldn't care about her or the baby. She couldn't drag her child into a life of uncertainty, especially with someone whose world seemed as dangerous as his.

By the time the shock began to fade, resolve replaced it. This was her baby, her responsibility. She would figure it out. Alone.

Over the next few weeks, she quit her job at a local magazine and sold most of her belongings. The city was suffocating her, and she couldn't risk running into anyone who might lead her back to him. She found a small coastal town several hours away, a place where she could start over.

Meanwhile, Dominic's search intensified. Every lead turned into a dead end, and his frustration grew. He couldn't explain why he was so fixated on this woman. Was it because she'd walked away, or was it something deeper?

"Find her," he growled again, his voice icy.

But Elena was already gone, determined to create a safe life for her child, far from the shadows of the past.