Millionaire Marriage

The Tides of Fate

Chapter 16

The cool water of the stream rushed around Ava's ankles as she and Ethan moved cautiously downstream, their breaths shallow and measured. The moonlight glimmered on the surface, creating an ethereal glow that contrasted sharply with the fear pulsing in Ava's chest. Each rustle in the trees sent her heart racing, reminding her of the danger they faced.

"How far do you think we should go?" Ava asked, her voice barely above a whisper as they carefully navigated the slippery rocks.

"Until we can be sure they're not on our tail. I don't want to risk getting caught," Ethan replied, glancing over his shoulder, his expression tense.

They continued along the stream, the sound of water drowning out their footfalls. The deeper they went, the more the trees closed in around them, creating a natural barrier between them and their pursuers.

After a while, they reached a small clearing where the stream widened, and Ethan motioned for her to stop. "Let's take a moment to catch our breath," he said, his voice steady but low.

Ava nodded, grateful for the pause. They stepped onto the bank, the damp earth cool beneath her feet. She could see Ethan's muscles tense as he scanned the tree line for any signs of movement. It was a reminder of how precarious their situation was.

As they sat on the bank, Ava pulled her knees to her chest, her thoughts spiraling. "What if they find us? What if something happens to you?"

Ethan turned to her, his eyes softening. "Nothing is going to happen to me. I won't let it. I promise to keep you safe."

"But you can't control everything, Ethan," she said, frustration seeping into her voice. "You don't know how far they'll go to find me. I can't just sit here and hope for the best."

"I know," he replied, running a hand through his hair. "But we need to stay focused. I need you to trust me. I have a plan."

"A plan?" Ava raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued despite her anxiety. "What is it?"

Ethan took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "Once we get a safe distance away from here, we'll head to the town. There's a friend of mine—someone I trust completely—who can help us. We can lay low until we figure out how to deal with David's situation and the people after us."

Ava felt a flicker of hope but also unease. "What if they find your friend? What if we're putting them in danger too?"

"Trust me, they won't be able to trace us if we're smart about it," Ethan assured her. "We just need to keep moving."

Ava nodded, her heart racing. "Okay, I trust you. Just... please promise me you'll be careful."

"I promise," he said, his gaze steady.

As they prepared to move again, Ava's mind was racing with thoughts of David. She felt a surge of anger toward him for getting involved in such a dangerous situation. But deep down, she knew he was her brother, and she had to protect him.

Just then, a rustling in the bushes interrupted her thoughts. Ava's breath caught in her throat as she turned to Ethan, who immediately tensed, his body poised to spring into action.

"Did you hear that?" she whispered, her heart pounding.

"Yeah. Stay behind me," Ethan instructed, moving toward the noise.

Ava clutched the candlestick tightly, her knuckles white as she held her breath. Ethan moved closer to the bushes, and just as he was about to push them aside, a large deer leaped out, startled by their presence.

Ethan jumped back, and Ava let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. They both laughed nervously, the tension easing momentarily.

"Let's keep moving before we attract any more attention," Ethan suggested, shaking off the scare.