Chapter 10 - The First Attempt to Escape
Ethan drove Claire home himself.
His security team followed in another car.
Halfway there, Claire felt her purse vibrate.
Maya had remotely activated the emergency application on Claire’s backup phone.
The screen showed one message.
Drive secured. Federal contact confirmed. Leave now.
Claire waited until Ethan stopped at a red light near a busy gas station.
She unlocked her door and ran.
Ethan caught her before she reached the sidewalk.
To anyone watching, it looked like a husband helping an intoxicated wife.
“She’s not feeling well,” he told a concerned driver.
Claire tried to speak.
Ethan dug his thumb into the bruised tissue beneath her ribs.
Pain stole her voice.
He pushed her back into the car and engaged the child lock.
At home, he dragged her through the garage.
“You think a few files can destroy me?”
“They already have.”
He struck her across the face.
Claire fell against the hood of the car.
Ethan stood over her.
“The money is gone by morning.”
“Maya froze the accounts.”
His expression changed.
Claire knew she had guessed correctly.
He had not expected the freeze to happen so quickly.
Ethan seized her by the throat.
“Call her.”
“No.”
“Tell her you made a mistake.”
“No.”
He tightened his grip until her vision blurred.
Then the garage door began opening.
Ethan released her.
Nina stood outside beside Gabriel.
Claire had never seen her brother look so furious.
Gabriel rushed forward, but two security guards blocked him.
“I’m taking my sister,” he said.
Ethan calmly stepped between them.
“She had a panic attack. She attacked me in the car.”
Gabriel looked at Claire.
“Tell me you want to leave.”
Claire opened her mouth.
Ethan lifted his phone, showing a live image from inside Gabriel’s hospital office.
A stranger stood beside Gabriel’s confidential patient files.
The threat was unmistakable.
If Claire spoke, Ethan would destroy Gabriel’s career.
“I’m staying,” she whispered.
May you like
Gabriel stared at her in disbelief.
👉 Claire sent her brother away to protect him—but Gabriel had already noticed blood on Ethan’s cuff.
