Chapter 2 Two

Mary's POV

The ivory wedding gown felt like a set of shackles.

I stood before the full-length mirror in my childhood bedroom, the lace sleeves delicate against my skin, the bodice hugging my figure perfectly-too perfectly, as if it had been designed to trap me. My heart pounded, every breath tight in my chest.

Today, I was supposed to become Jason Martin's wife.

A knock sounded at the door, making me jolt.

"Mary?" Amanda's voice was hushed but urgent.

The door creaked open, and my sister slipped inside, her face pale. She took one look at me and exhaled sharply. "You don't have to do this."

I turned away from the mirror, swallowing hard. "I don't have a choice."

"Yes, you do," she insisted, stepping closer. "We can leave-tonight. We can find a way out."

I let out a dry laugh. "And go where, Amanda? Jason will find us. You know he will."

She flinched, but I saw the fight in her eyes. "I'd rather spend my life running than see you trapped with him."

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms.

If I married Jason, my father's debt would be erased. My family would be safe. But at what cost?

I'd seen what Jason did to people who crossed him. And once I belonged to him, there would be no escape.

Amanda grabbed my hands. "You deserve better than this."

A heavy knock at the door interrupted us.

"Mary," my father's voice came through, muffled but tense. "It's time."

Amanda shook her head. "Please, Mary-"

My pulse pounded in my ears and then, without thinking I moved.

I tore the veil from my head, tossed it onto the vanity, and bolted for the window.

"Mary!" Amanda gasped.

But I wasn't stopping.

With shaking hands, I threw open the window and climbed out onto the fire escape. The cold metal stung my skin as I gripped the railing, my dress catching on a nail with a sickening rip.

I looked down. The alley below was dark, the pavement far enough that if I jumped wrong, I could break something.

Behind me, I heard Amanda's sharp gasped.

Then-I leaped.

The impact jolted through my legs, but I pushed forward, barefoot and breathless, running.

I sprinted through the streets, my torn dress following behind me like a ghost of the life I had just abandoned.

Honking cars. Shouting voices. The cold sting of the pavement against my bare feet.

I turned down alley after alley, my heart pounding. Jason's men wouldn't be far behind.

I had minutes, maybe seconds before they found me.

I need to disappear.

Up ahead, glowing golden lights caught my eye. A famous hotel.

Without thinking, I shoved through the revolving doors and into the lobby, my breath ragged.

The place was elegant-high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, the murmur of hushed conversation but I had no time to take it in.

I darted into the lounge, my gaze darting for a place to hide.

And then I saw him.

Sitting at the bar, sipping an expensive whiskey, was a man I recognized instantly.

Thomas Randolph.

Billionaire. Business mogul. Practically royalty in New York's elite circles.

And right now-my only chance at staying hidden.

I stumbled forward, grabbing the sleeve of his suit.

"Please," I gasped. "Help me."

Thomas turned slowly, his piercing light brown eyes sweeping over me. His expression didn't change-no shock, no concern. Just calm, calculating indifference.

"Rough night?" he asked, sipping his drink.

I swallowed, my throat raw. "You could say that."

His gaze flickered down to my dress-torn, dirty, hanging off me like a discarded relic. Then to my bare feet and finally, to my face, where panic must have been written in bold letters.

His lips quirked in amusement. "You look like a runaway bride."

I tightened my grip on his sleeve. "That's because I am."

He raised an eyebrow. "Interesting."

The hotel doors burst open.

I flinched, my heart lurching as Jason's men strode inside. They scanned the room, their gazes sharp, predatory.

Panic clawed at my chest.

Thomas followed my line of sight, then turned back to me, one brow still raised. "Trouble?"

I swallowed hard. "The worst kind."

He leaned back in his seat, considering. "And why should I help you?"

I met his gaze, desperation creeping into my voice. "Because I have nowhere else to go."

A slow, knowing smile curved his lips.

Then-he reached for my hand.

"Then let's make them think you do."

Before I could react, he tugged me forward, smoothly and effortlessly until I was in his lap.

I gasped.

Thomas wrapped an arm around my waist, his fingers resting lightly against my hip. To anyone watching, we looked intimate like lovers.

His breath ghosted against my ear. "Stay still," he murmured. "And play along."

Jason's men approached the bar.

One of them, a burly man in a black suit, frowned as his gaze swept over me. "Hey-"

Thomas turned lazily, his expression cool. "Problem?"

The man hesitated, eyeing me. "We're looking for someone."

Thomas took a sip of his whiskey, unbothered. "Well, I can assure you, she's with me."

His grip on my waist tightened slightly, just enough to make my skin prickle. I forced myself to relax against him, my heart hammering.

The man's eyes narrowed. "We need to-"

Thomas cut him off. "I don't share." His voice was smooth as silk, but there was an edge underneath it. A warning.

The man stiffened.

Another moment of silence.

Then-Jason's men exchanged glances and turned away, retreating toward the doors.

I let out a shaky breath as they disappeared.

Thomas smirked. "See? Easy."

I pushed away from him, scrambling off his lap. "What the hell was that?"

He tilted his head. "That, darling, was me saving you."

I ran a hand through my scattered hair, trying to steady my breathing. "I didn't ask you to-"

"Actually, you did." He set his glass down and leaned forward. "Now the real question is-what are you willing to do to stay hidden?"

I froze.

Something in his eyes told me he already had an idea.

And whatever it was-it wasn't going to be simple. Before I could respond, my phone buzzed.

I pulled it out, my hands trembling.

A text.

From an unknown number.

You can run, Mary. But you can't hide.

My blood ran cold.

Thomas's eyes flicked to the screen, reading the message.

He smirked. "Looks like your little escape plan just got a lot more interesting."