Millionaire Marriage

Into the Unknown

Chapter 13

The drive felt endless, the road winding through tall pines and jagged mountains. Ava glanced at Ethan, who focused intently on the road ahead, his jaw set in determination. She admired his strength but couldn't shake the fear weighing on her chest.

As they neared the cabin, the sun began to set, casting a warm golden light through the trees. The world outside seemed peaceful, a stark contrast to the storm brewing inside her.

"Are we almost there?" she asked, trying to break the silence that had settled between them.

"Just a few more minutes," Ethan replied, glancing at her with a reassuring smile. "You're going to love it. It's secluded and quiet—just what we need right now."

Ava nodded but felt the gnawing worry in her gut. The farther they drove, the more isolated they became, but she couldn't help but think about her brother and the potential danger he was still facing.

"Ethan, what if they find David?" she blurted out. "What if—"

"Ava," he interrupted gently, turning his gaze to her. "We can't think about that right now. We have to focus on keeping you safe. We'll figure out a plan to help him once we're settled."

His words, meant to comfort, only deepened her unease. She wanted to trust him, to believe that everything would work out, but the dread clawed at her.

When they finally arrived, the cabin was nestled in a clearing surrounded by dense trees. It was rustic yet charming, with wooden beams and a stone fireplace that beckoned warmth. But as they stepped inside, Ava couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom that lingered just outside the door.

Ethan placed their bags down and turned to her, his eyes filled with a mix of hope and concern. "What do you think?"

"It's beautiful," she admitted, forcing a smile despite her anxiety. "I can see why you love it here."

"Let's get settled in," he said, trying to lighten the mood. "I'll start a fire, and we can have dinner."

Ava nodded, grateful for his attempt to maintain normalcy. As he busied himself with the firewood, she wandered around the cabin, taking in the cozy atmosphere. But the gnawing worry wouldn't let up. She needed to talk to David, to know he was safe.

After a few minutes, Ava pulled out her phone, hoping for a signal. It flickered for a moment before showing no service. "Great," she muttered under her breath, frustration bubbling up.

Ethan came over, concern etched on his face. "What's wrong?"

"I can't get any service," she said, her voice strained. "I can't call David. What if he needs me?"

He stepped closer, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "We'll figure it out. Just give it time. I'll check the landline—we might have a phone here."

Ava took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. "Okay."

As Ethan searched the cabin, she busied herself by unpacking their things. A part of her felt relieved to be away from the chaos of the city, but the anxiety never left.

Finally, Ethan called out from the small kitchen area. "No landline either. It's just as I suspected—this place is completely off the grid."

Ava felt a wave of panic rise within her. "What if something happens? What if we can't reach anyone?"

Ethan turned to her, his expression serious but calm. "Then we deal with it together. But for now, let's focus on settling in. We'll make a plan tomorrow. I promise."

As the night wore on, they tried to make the best of their situation. Ethan prepared dinner, and they sat by the fire, sharing stories and laughter. But despite the warmth of the flames, Ava felt a chill creeping in.

Later, as they lay in bed, Ava turned to Ethan, her heart heavy. "What if we're not safe here? What if they find us?"

Ethan pulled her closer, his voice a soothing murmur. "Ava, we've taken the first step to protect you. This place is secure, and I won't let anything happen to you. Just trust me."

But trust was hard when her past felt like a shadow, lurking just beyond their fragile haven.

The next morning, Ava woke up early, the sunlight filtering through the cabin windows. Ethan was still asleep beside her, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. She quietly slipped out of bed, determined to take action.

She wandered outside, the crisp morning air refreshing against her skin. The cabin was surrounded by towering trees, the peaceful sounds of nature filling the space. But beneath the tranquility, her mind raced with thoughts of her brother and the danger lurking around the corner.

If she couldn't reach him, how would she know if he was okay?

Ava wandered toward a nearby stream, the sound of rushing water calming her racing heart. She took a moment to breathe, trying to center herself. But as she stood there, she couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed in her pocket, startling her. She fished it out, her heart racing as she saw a single bar of service. Quickly, she dialed David's number, praying he would answer.

The phone rang and rang, but just as she was about to lose hope, he picked up. "Ava? Is that you?"

"David! Thank God! Are you okay?" she asked, her voice filled with relief and worry.

"I'm fine, but we need to talk. There's a lot going on, and it's serious," he said, his tone urgent.

"Are you safe?" she pressed, glancing over her shoulder, feeling the weight of the woods around her.

"For now, yes. But it's only a matter of time before they come looking for you. You need to stay hidden," he warned.

Ava's heart sank. "I'm in a cabin outside the city with Ethan. What should I do?"

"Just stay there for now. I'm working on a plan, but you need to be ready to move. If they find you, it won't end well," David replied, his voice low.

Ava felt her pulse quicken. "David, I can't just leave you. I have to help you!"

"No! You can't help me if you're in danger too. I'll figure something out," he insisted, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"Please, just be careful. I love you," she said, her voice trembling.

"I love you too, Ava. Stay safe," he said before hanging up.

As Ava stood by the stream, the weight of her brother's warning settled heavily on her shoulders. She turned to head back to the cabin, her heart racing. She had to prepare for whatever was coming.

As she approached the cabin, she found Ethan leaning against the doorframe, his expression a mix of concern and curiosity. "Who were you talking to?" he asked, his eyes searching hers.

Ava took a deep breath, knowing she had to be honest. "It was David. He's okay for now, but he warned me that things are getting serious. We have to be ready to move at a moment's notice."

Ethan's expression hardened. "We will. I'll make sure we have a plan in place. But right now, I need you to focus on staying calm. We'll get through this together."

Ava nodded, grateful for his support but feeling the weight of the impending storm closing in around them. She knew they were in for a fight, but she also knew they would face it together—no matter what.