Chapter 5 Five

Crystal took one last look at the grand estate behind her. The mansion had always been her home, a place of love and warmth. But tonight, it felt like nothing more than a cruel reminder of everything she had lost.

She tightened her grip on the handle of her suitcase, the weight of it dragging behind her like the burden in her heart. The cold night air nipped at her skin as she stood there, waiting, hoping that at any moment, her mother would come running out, calling her back.

But the house remained silent. The golden lights glowed softly through the windows, almost mocking her, as if life inside continued without her.

Her mother's final words echoed in her mind, sharp and unforgiving.

"You made your choice, Crystal. Now live with it."

Her chest ached as she clenched her fists, willing herself not to cry. She had known her parents would be upset, disappointed even. She had defied them by choosing love over family, by marrying Christian against their wishes. But she had never expected them to turn their backs on her completely.

"They're just angry," she told herself, blinking back tears. "They'll come around... eventually."

But even as she spoke the words in her head, doubt crept in like a shadow, curling around her heart.

Would they ever forgive her?

Or had she truly lost everything?

A sharp gust of wind rushed through the driveway, sending a chill through her bones. She shivered, wrapping her coat tighter around herself. She couldn't just stand here all night, waiting for a miracle.

She had no home now. No husband. No family. No direction.

All she had was the small life growing inside her, the only thing keeping her from completely falling apart.

With a deep breath, she turned away from the estate and walked into the night.

---

The streets were eerily quiet, the soft click of her heels against the pavement the only sound in the empty night. The world around her felt both endless and suffocating at the same time.

She had nowhere to go.

She couldn't return to the Blake mansion Christian had made sure of that when he turned his back on her.

She couldn't go back to her parents-not after the way they had cast her out like she was nothing.

For the first time in her life, she was truly alone.

Her thoughts spiraled, playing every painful moment over and over again.

The cold way Christian had looked at her that night, distant, indifferent, as if she were nothing more than an inconvenience.

The way Olivia had stood there, watching as the servants packed her things, no pity in her sharp gaze.

The way her own mother had refused to meet her eyes, turning away as if ashamed of the daughter she had raised.

A bitter laugh slipped past Crystal's lips. It was empty, hollow.

"How ironic. I gave up my family for Christian, only to end up with nothing."

Her hand moved to her stomach, cradling it gently.

"I won't let you suffer for my mistakes," she whispered, voice trembling. "I'll protect you, no matter what."

But how?

She had no money. No job. No home.

Where would she go? What would she do?

She could go back to the hotel, but the thought of depending on Dr. Peterson made her stomach twist. She didn't want to feel like she was at his mercy, like she was a burden to him.

She exhaled shakily, trying to push the panic down.

"One step at a time," she told herself. "I just need to find a place to stay tonight. I'll figure out the rest later."

But exhaustion pressed down on her, making every step feel heavier than the last.

Her vision blurred.

The street lights flickered, casting long, eerie shadows along the road.

Her breath came in shallow, unsteady gasps.

She pressed a hand to her forehead. Her skin was burning hot, yet she felt cold.

"No... not now..."

Her legs wobbled beneath her. She tried to steady herself, reaching out for something-anything-to hold onto. But the world around her tilted violently.

Her knees buckled.

Her suitcase slipped from her grasp, landing with a dull thud on the pavement.

Her heart pounded in her chest, erratic and wild. She wanted to move, to call out for help, but the words never left her lips.

The last thing she saw before the darkness swallowed her was a blur of headlights rushing toward her.

Then strong arms caught her just before she hit the ground.

Muffled voices surrounded her, filled with concern.

"Hey! Are you okay?"

The voice was deep, warm, filled with worry.

Crystal barely registered it, her mind slipping in and out of consciousness like waves against the shore.

"She's burning up," the voice muttered, almost to himself. "Damn it."

His touch was warm-so warm against her freezing skin as he carefully lifted her into his arms. For the first time in weeks, she felt... safe.

As she drifted further into unconsciousness, one final thought flickered in the back of her mind.

Who... is he?

And then, everything went dark.