Ashley's POV:
My turn, Sunbeam. Let's finish what you ran from.
Five words. That's all it took to end our illusion of safety.
The black roses on the doorstep weren't flowers — they were a declaration of ownership. A message from Roman: the game was over, and our peace had been a loan he'd just decided to collect.
"He knows," my mother whispered. Catherine's voice cracked like something breaking under too much weight. "He's been watching us. He's been watching us heal."
Daniel swore, his voice low and sharp. "That sick bastard's been toying with us."
My father, Arthur, sank into the couch, the bandages on his hands ghost-white in the light. "The safehouse is compromised. Every minute we stay, we're just waiting for him to get bored."
"So we run," my mother said, panic fraying her tone. "We pack and run now."
"Run where, Mom?" Daniel shot back. "He owns this city. There's nowhere he can't reach."
That's when it hit me — sharp, cold, absolute. Roman didn't care about them. He wanted me.
I swallowed hard. "No. He doesn't want us. He wants me."
All three of them froze.
"I'll draw him out," I said, my voice steady even though my heart was racing. "You three leave — the city, the country, whatever it takes. When I text you to go, you go. Don't wait. Don't argue."
Arthur's voice cracked. "Ashley—"
"I mean it," I said fiercely. "When I send that message, you run. It's the only way."
Daniel's eyes burned. "I'm not leaving you here!"
I caught his face in my hands, my tears mixing with his. "You can't protect me from him, Danny. But I can protect you. He won't kill me — not yet. I'm the one he wants alive. If I keep him looking at me, you'll have time to disappear."
My mother clutched me, shaking her head. "We can't just abandon you."
"You have to," I whispered. "Please. Let me do this."
Arthur's jaw tightened with resignation. "She's right," he said quietly. "It's our only chance."
The room dissolved into frantic movement — bags packed, zippers closing, trembling hands. Every sound felt like a countdown.
When they were ready, I looked at them one last time. "Wait for my message," I said. "When it comes, you run."
My father's voice broke. "Be smart, Ashley. Not brave."
"I'll try," I whispered.
And then they were gone, swallowed by the night.
Only when the silence thickened did I turn the black card over. The small embossed "R" gleamed under the dim light — not a logo, but a phone number.
My hands shook as I typed:
Ashley:What do you want?
The reply came instantly.
Roman:You. And revenge.
My stomach dropped — and then steadied. Good. He'd taken the bait.
Now I just had to keep him looking.
I deleted the thread, switched SIM cards, and stepped out the front door — where I knew he'd see me. He'd think I was panicking. He'd think I was desperate.
He'd be wrong.
The cab ride to Chloe's apartment was a blur of neon lights and adrenaline.
She opened the door in a pink bathrobe, hair wild, confusion written all over her face. "Ash? What the hell? It's the middle of the night!"
"I need help," I said, voice trembling but clear. "My ex — he's dangerous. My family's gone. I just need somewhere to stay. Please."
Her expression softened immediately. "Oh my God, of course. Come in."
She locked the door behind me, her worry thick in the air. "You look like you've seen a ghost. Who is this guy?"
"Someone who doesn't take 'no' well."
She frowned. "Shouldn't we call the police?"
I gave a hollow laugh. "The police work for him."
That shut her up.
For a long moment, the silence pressed heavy. I could feel the city humming outside, the pulse of danger closing in.
Then I looked at her and said, "We can't stay here."
Chloe blinked. "What do you mean, can't stay here? You just said he's hunting you!"
"Exactly," I said. "He's tracking me right now. I need him to see something that'll pull all his focus onto me. Somewhere he'll be most distracted, most tempted… most vulnerable."
Her eyes widened. "Ash, what are you saying?"
"I'm saying we're going out."
"Out? You mean, like, out out?"
"Yes," I said, my voice calm but burning. "A club. Tonight."
She gawked at me. "You've lost your mind. You said this guy's dangerous!"
"He is," I said. "That's why it'll work. He expects me to hide. He won't expect me to walk straight into a crowd, acting like I'm fine. That's where he'll be weakest."
Chloe groaned, dragging a hand down her face. "This is the dumbest idea I've ever heard."
"So you'll come?"
She threw her hands up. "You're lucky I love you. But I'm bringing pepper spray and a death wish."
A small smile ghosted across my lips. "Perfect."
I turned toward the window, the city lights flickering in the glass — the skyline glowing like a promise and a threat all at once. Somewhere out there, Roman was watching, waiting for me to make my next move.
And I was about to make it.
The night was waiting. So was he.
And when the trap finally closed, it would close my way.
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Author's Note: 💀✨
Okay so… Ashley? Babe? Therapy exists. 💅But nah, she said "let's trauma-bait the stalker psycho and call it strategy."
Genius. 10/10 girlboss behavior.Anyway, Roman's out here writing Hallmark cards straight from Hell, and Chloe's regretting all her life choices in real time.
Stay tuned — next chapter we're serving cocktails, chaos, and one emotionally constipated villain who thinks kidnapping = affection.
#PrayForChloe #TeamPepperSpray
-Vaanni🖤