<h4>Chapter 91: The Runaway</h4>


    The morning sun hovered just above the rooftops, spilling a hazy gold across the restless city. Eliana emerged from the estate’s shadow like a fugitive breaking free of a cage, the battered packing box pressed tight against her chest. Gravel and thorns bit into her bare feet, but she barely noticed—pain was easier than looking back.


    The streets beyond the Vexley gates roared to life around her, loud and unapologetic. Cars honked, engines growled, and strangers brushed past with clipped conversations and hurried footsteps. The air was covered with exhaust, fried dough, and the bitter promise of strong coffee from corner vendors. It was chaos, but it was hers—raw, unfiltered freedom.


    <fn4e5e> Chapters first released on F?ndNovel</fn4e5e>


    Her hand trembled as she lifted it, gging down a yellow cab that swerved to the curb with a squeal of tired brakes. Sliding into the back seat, she tugged her faded gray hoodie low over her curls as though the fabric could shield her from the past clinging to her skin. The box stayed locked in her grip, her only anchor in a world that suddenly felt too vast, too alive, and too uncertain.


    "Where to, miss?" the driver asked, ncing at her disheveled appearance in the rearview mirror.


    Eliana’s voice was barely a whisper, her honey eyes darting nervously. "The nearest coffee shop... something quiet. Like, um, Brew Haven on Elm Street."


    The cab lurched forward, and Eliana pulled out her phone, her fingers flying across the screen. She texted Henry the address, her heart pounding. "Meet me here. Please. Hurry."


    Minutester, the cab pulled up to the quaint coffee shop, its windows steamed from the inside, the aroma of fresh brews wafting out. Eliana paid with crumpled bills from her box, stepping out onto the sidewalk just as Henry’s sleek gray sedan screeched to a halt nearby. He burst from the car, his tall frame cutting through the morning crowd, his sharp features etched with worry under his warm eyes.


    "Eliana!" Henry called, his voice breaking as he spotted her huddled by the entrance, looking small and lost in her oversized hoodie.


    She turned, her expressive eyes filling with tears at the sight of him. Without a word, Henry closed the distance in three long strides, engulfing her in his strong arms. Eliana copsed against his chest, her body shaking with sobs that she’d held back for so long. The world blurred around them—the chatter of patrons entering the shop, the distant siren of a passing ambnce—as he held her tightly, his hand stroking her back in soothing circles.


    "Oh, Henry," she whispered through her tears, her voice muffled against his shirt. "I... I didn’t know who else to call. Everything’s falling apart."


    "Shh, it’s okay," Henry murmured, his own voice filled with so much emotion. He pulled back slightly, cupping her soft, face in his hands, wiping away her tears with his thumbs. "You’re safe now. What happened? Tell me everything, but first, let’s get you out of here. This ce is too exposed."


    Eliana nodded, sniffling as she clung to his arm. "I escaped the mansion. Mrs. Vexley... she’s after me. Rafael’s gone, and I... I just ran."


    Henry’s jaw tightened, but he kept his tone gentle. "Come on. My car’s right there. We’ll talk at my ce—it’s secure, and no one will find us."


    He guided her to the sedan, opening the door for her with a protective nce around. As they drove through the city, the skyline shifting from modest shops to towering skyscrapers, Eliana stared out the window, her mind a whirlwind of fear and relief. Henry reached over, squeezing her hand. "You’re not alone anymore, Eliana. Whatever’s going on, we’ll figure it out."


    The drive ended at a gleaming high-rise in the heart of the upscale district, where doormen in crisp uniforms nodded respectfully as Henry led her inside. The elevator whisked them up to the penthouse, the doors opening to a sprawling space that screamed quiet luxury—floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of the city, sleek marble floors, modern art on the walls, and plush leather furniture arranged around a firece. The air was scented with fresh linen and a hint of citrus from a diffuser. It was worlds away from the opulent but oppressive Vexley mansion; this felt warm, lived-in, with bookshelves lined with medical journals and a grand piano in the corner.


    "Wee to my home," Henry said softly, helping her out of her hoodie and settling her onto the oversized couch. "My parents are upstate in their home—old family estate. They’ve always been... well,fortable. Dad’s in finance, Mom’s a phnthropist. This ce is mine, though. Make yourselffortable."


    Eliana looked around, her eyes wide with a mix of awe and difort. "Henry, this is... incredible. I feel like I don’t belong here, in my ratty jeans and all."


    He chuckled lightly, trying to ease the tension with a bit of humor. "Hey, those jeans have character. Better than some of the designer nonsense I’ve seen at gs. Want some tea? Or coffee? You look like you could use something warm."


    She managed a weak smile. "Tea would be great. Thank you, Henry. For everything. Picking me up, bringing me here... I don’t know what I’d do without you."


    As he busied himself in the open-concept kitchen, pouring hot water over a chamomile bag, he nced back at her. "You don’t have to thank me. I’ve known you since college, Eliana. Remember Jason’s numerous parties? You were the one who made those nights fun, dancing like no one was watching. I’ve always... cared about you."


    Eliana’s cheeks flushed slightly, but her expression turned somber as she epted the steaming mug he handed her. She wrapped her hands around it, drawingfort from the warmth. "Henry, I... I don’t know what to do now. Rafael—he’s away on business, I think. Part of me wants to go back when he returns, to exin everything. But another part... I just want to disappear from his life. It’s all soplicated."


    Henry sat beside her, his warm eyes searching hers. "Why go back? From what you’ve told me before, it sounds like a cage there. Talk to me."


    She took a shaky breath, her voiceced with emotion. "My father, Henry. My Papa... he’s still in the hospital. Like I mentioned before, Rafael’s been paying for his care—the treatments, the room, everything. Without that money, Papa wouldn’t make it. I can’t just abandon him. If I leave Rafael for good, what happens then? I’m trapped."


    Henry’s face hardened with resolve, but his tone remained calm. He pulled out his phone, dialing a number without hesitation. "I won’t let that happen. Give me a second."


    Eliana watched, confused, as he spoke into the phone. "Marcus? It’s Henry. I need you to arrange a transfer for Frank Bet from Golden Heart Hospital to our family’s private facility. Make it happen within the hour—confidential, no traces. No one knows who or where he’s going. Understood? Good."


    He hung up, turning back to her with a reassuring smile. Eliana’s brown eyes widened in shock, her mug nearly slipping from her grasp. "Henry, what are you doing? You can’t just—"


    "I just did," he said gently, cing a hand on her arm. "Your father’s hospital is changed now. Our family’s clinic is top-tier—best doctors, no questions asked. You don’t have to be indebted to Rafael anymore. No more living in fear, Eliana. You don’t have to go back to that house, to that life."


    Her voice rose, a mix of gratitude and protest, tears welling up again. "But now I’ll be indebted to you! Henry, I can’t ept this. I don’t want to owe anyone, not after everything. It’s too much."


    Henry shook his head firmly, his expression earnest. "No, Eliana. You’re not indebted to me in any way. This is just me helping a friend—someone I care about deeply. You can leave anytime you want. Walk out that door right now, and I won’t stop you. With me, there’s no fear, no chains. You decide to stay or go; it’s your choice. But all I want is your happiness. I don’t want you going back to Rafael’s house, living in that shadow anymore. You’ve suffered enough."


    Eliana opened her mouth to argue, her mind racing with objections—how could she burden him like this? How could she trust another man with her life after all the betrayals? But suddenly, the room spun, a wave of dizziness crashing over her like a cold wave. She staggered, her hand flying to her forehead as her vision blurred.


    "Whoa, Eliana!" Henry eximed, leaping to his feet and catching her before she could fall. He guided her back to the couch, his strong arms supporting her weight. "Easy, sit down. Breathe."


    She sank into the cushions, her face pale against her warm brown skin, trying to wave him off with a forced smile—just like she’d done with Rafael so many times before. "I’m fine, Henry. Really. Just... tired from all the running. It’ll pass."


    But Henry, with his aspiring doctor’s instincts, wasn’t fooled. He knelt in front of her, his fingers gently checking her pulse at her wrist, then pressing the back of his hand to her forehead. "Your heart’s racing, and you’re mmy. Are you okay? How are you feeling? Be honest with me."


    Eliana hesitated, her full lips pressing into a thin line. She averted her eyes, fiddling with the edge of her hoodie. "It’s nothing. I’ve been a bit offtely, but I’m sure it’s stress."


    Henry’s warm eyes narrowed with concern, his voice firm but kind. "Eliana, I’m training to be a doctor—I know when something’s not right. How long have you been feeling dizzy? Any other symptoms? Nausea? Headaches?"


    She sighed, her shoulders slumping as the emotional weight pressed down. "Okay, fine. Yes, I’ve been throwing up recently... mornings mostly. And dizzy almost all the time. But Henry, it’s probably just anxiety or something I ate. I’m sure it’s nothing serious."


    Henry’s eyes widened, a flicker of realization crossing his handsome features, but he kept hisposure, his tone steady and professional. "That doesn’t sound like nothing. We need to run some tests—blood work, maybe a quick exam. Just to be sure."


    Eliana shook her head, panic edging into her voice. "No, Henry. I don’t want to make a fuss. I’m fine, really. Let’s not overreact."


    He took her hands in his, his grip warm and reassuring, his eyes pleading. "Please, Eliana. Do it for me. I need to know you’re okay. After everything you’ve been through, I can’t just ignore this. Let me help—it’s what I do."


    She searched his face, seeing the genuine worry, the unspoken affection that had lingered since their college days. Her resistance crumbled, a soft sigh escaping her lips. "Okay... for you. But only because you asked so nicely."


    Henry smiled, relief washing over him as he squeezed her hands. "Thank you. I’ll set it up right away. You’re going to be alright—I promise."


    As the city buzzed below them, the penthouse wrapped in a fragile peace, Eliana leaned back against the couch, her mind swirling with uncertainties and the thoughts of Rafael. But for the first time in what felt like forever, she didn’t feel entirely alone.