The Billionaire Recluse & The girl who stayed.

The fall.

~ Lexi ~

I sat with my back pressed against the cold stone, every part of me tense.

I couldn't see.

Couldn't move my hands.

Couldn't do anything but listen.

And that was the worst part.

Because all I could hear—

Was chaos.

Gunshots echoed in the distance, sharp and violent, bouncing off the mountains.

Shouting.

Men yelling over each other.

Boots hitting gravel.

Something was happening.

Something big.

My heart pounded so hard it felt like it was in my throat.

Jasper.

He's here.

He has to be.

Hope flickered in my chest—but I forced it down.

Not yet.

Not until I knew.

Footsteps.

Close.

Fast.

Before I could react, a hand grabbed my arm and yanked me up.

Pain shot through my shoulder.

"Come on, bitch."

My stomach dropped.

Dale.

"Let me go!" I struggled, twisting against his grip, but he only tightened it.

He laughed.

Cold. Cruel.

"Not a chance," he said. "I'm getting paid for this."

He dragged me forward so quickly my feet barely kept up, stumbling over uneven ground.

Sharp stones dug into my shoes.

The air felt thinner.

Colder.

Higher.

We stopped suddenly.

My breathing was uneven, panic creeping back in.

Then—

The blindfold was ripped away.

I blinked rapidly, my eyes stinging as they adjusted.

For a second, everything was blurred.

Then slowly—

Shapes formed.

Dark sky.

Endless.

The moon hung low and bright, casting a pale glow over everything.

And then I realised.

There was nothing in front of me.

Just empty space.

My breath caught.

We were on the edge of a cliff.

Wind rushed past, cold and sharp, pulling at my hair, my clothes.

I took a small step back instinctively.

Dale shoved me forward again.

"Jump."