Adrian decided not to spend the night. He told her he needed some space to think things over, to just breathe, and to understand everything she had said.But Layla knew the truth. He was retreating because he didn't want to admit how deep he was already in this with her.
She spent the rest of the night digging.
Old hard drives. Emails she hadn't read in years. Encrypted files her father had asked her to guard the night before he was arrested. Back then, she hadn't understood the magnitude of what he was asking. She'd just done it because she loved him. Because some naive, loyal part of her believed she'd wake up the next day and everything would be okay.
But everything had fallen apart.
And now, years later, her hands trembled as she clicked through the last folder—marked only with the date June 12.
Inside: a single video file.
She hit play.
Her dad was at his desk, looking older than she recalled. He seemed worn out and tired. Still, there was that same stubborn spark in his eyes she always counted on. The screen flickered as he leaned in. If you're seeing this, things didn't turn out the way we hoped. Maybe Elliot got to me. Maybe it was someone else. Doesn't really matter now. You need to hear what I've been keeping safe…"
Then the doorbell rang.
A sharp, echoing sound that shattered the quiet like glass.
Layla jumped, almost dropping her laptop. She hit pause on the video, her dad stuck on the screen. Then she walked over to the door and sees through the keyhole.
Not Adrian.
It was Eden.
She had thrown on a coat over her pajamas, looking panicked , trembled , her face was red and eyes wide.
Layla flung the door open. "What's wrong?"
Eden pushed inside, waving her phone like it was on fire. "Have you seen this?"
"Have you seen this?" Layla said, her eyes glued to the screen. A tabloid site flashed before her with a bold headline that shouted: "HEIRESS IN HIDING: LAYLA HART LINKED TO BLACKWELL EMPIRE SCANDAL." She felt a lump in her throat, the weight in her chest almost painful. "No way. How did they find out?" "I don't know," Eden said, her voice shaking. "But it's going viral." Someone leaked your name, Layla. And the comments are brutal. They think you're some kind of gold-digging mole. People are saying you used Adrian to get revenge."
Layla's vision blurred for a moment. She leaned against the couch to keep her balance.
Someone had outed her.
Someone who knew.
It wasn't Adrian—he hadn't even had time. And Eden wouldn't. Couldn't.
Which left only one possibility.
I need to talk to him, she said quietly, grabbing her phone. Her thumb hovered over Adrian's contact.
But before she could press it, her phone lit up.
Adrian.
She answered in one breath. "Adrian?"
His voice was tight. Controlled. You have to leave your apartment. Right now.
What? Her heart raced."Why?"
"There's a car watching your building. I just got a call from someone at the firm—someone I trust. Layla, they're going to use you as leverage against me."
Her blood turned to ice
"You think it's my father?"
I think he's finally ready to make his next move." Layla said, already moving around her apartment, grabbing her bag, laptop, keys, anything she could carry. Eden followed her without a word. "Where should I go?" "Come to me," Adrian said, his voice low but serious. "I'll keep you safe." "But—" "No more buts, Layla. You're not alone anymore. I won't let them hurt you." Then the call cut off. It was silent afterward. Layla held her phone tightly, feeling like it was all she had.
Then—footsteps.
Not hers.
Not Eden's.
Heavy. Intentional. Closer than they should be
She turned to Eden, eyes wide. "Run."
Eden didn't argue.
They rushed down the stairs, their footsteps echoing as they hurried to get out.. Each floor passed in a blur. Layla didn't dare look back—couldn't. If she did, she might freeze.
As soon as they stepped outside, Adrian's car was waiting for them. The black sedan shone softly under the streetlight, almost like a hero in the night.
He jumped out, opened the door.
Layla dove in. Eden right behind her.
Just as a black SUV turned the corner, silent and fast, its windows tinted, its movement far too calculated.
"Go!" Adrian barked at his driver.
Adrian.
She answered in one breath. "Adrian?
Red and blue lights flashed against the buildings as the city felt wild all around them.
Inside the car, everything was tense and quiet.
Layla's heart was racing. She could barely catch her breath. She clung to Adrian like he was her anchor.
Because right then, he was.
"Are you okay?" he asked, really worried. "No," she replied quietly. "But I will be." Adrian took her hand and held it close. "We'll pass through this together." "I swear it."
She wanted to believe him.
But all she could hear was her father's voice from the video, still echoing in her mind:
"You have to listen to something I've been holding onto," Layla said, glancing at Adrian and keeping her voice low. "There's a video. My dad… he left a message. I haven't watched it all." Adrian looked back at her. "Then we should." As they drove into the dark parts of the city, the weight of their situation felt heavy, like an approaching storm. Her father's secrets. The truth about Elliot. The leak. The black SUV. The war had started.
And they were right in the center of it.
But Layla Hart wasn't running anymore.
Not from her past.
Not from the truth.
And definitely not from the people trying to silence her.