Claiming His Bride

The only reason I’m even contemplating making a run for it is because he is so distracted. I tend to be more on the clumsy side, and running really isn’t my thing. But I know this may be my only chance to get away. I’ve already got a glimpse of what marriage with Edward would be like in the small span of time I’ve been with him today.

I think my head is still spinning, and not from the smack I’d taken in the back of the car from Edward. I lick my lips, feeling the cut that finally stopped bleeding. No, my head is spinning because of how this day has gone.

I should have known something was up when Mara woke me up all cheerful, telling me to get dressed up. That she was taking me out for my birthday to celebrate. She never does anything that doesn’t benefit her. I was so stupid to think that maybe something had changed. I thought maybe now that I was an adult, we could have a different kind of relationship.

I’d gotten all dressed up, wanting to impress her. Even picked a dress I thought she’d like. I was hoping with her being in such a good mood, I could bring up the whole marriage thing and see if maybe there was something else that could be done.

My excitement was short-lived when we pulled into the parking lot of the private airport and she dropped the bomb right on my head that today was the day I was leaving. She made it perfectly clear that I could either get on the plane or I’d be homeless because there was no way I was going home with her. I was an adult now. I should have refused, but in my numbed state of shock, I did what I was told.

When I got off the plane, Edward wasn’t too happy with my reaction to our reunion. He grabbed me by the arm and pulled me toward the town car, where he then smacked me and called me ungrateful. All the while, his driver, the man playing on his phone, didn't say or do anything. He just drove us to some law office where no one even blinked an eye about my split lip. Not even the lawyer, who advised him which back office he could leave me in while they took care of business.

I know I only have a limited amount of time before Edward comes back. Then what? Does he take me to his home with him? Then there really would be no escape. If I don’t make a decision soon, I’ll have no other choice but to marry the old man and God knows what else.

Fear creeps in at the thought of what kind of life I’ll have. If he’s already smacking me around before we are actually married, I’m sure it’s not going to be rainbows and sunshine once we are.

I double-check to make sure Edward’s driver's eyes remain glued to his phone. Once I confirm that he’s still distracted, I decide it’s now or never. There is no way I can try and make this escape in heels. I toe them off discreetly before I stand from the chair. At first, I slowly inch my way toward the door, hoping I don’t draw his attention to me. When I’m far enough away, I make my move. I push open the door and run as fast as I can, having no clue if he heard me or not.

Rain hits my face as I bolt down a long alley. I take the first turn that I see. When I round the corner, I hear my name bellowed out from behind me and know I’m being chased. It only makes me move faster. Every chance I have to take a turn, I do, hoping to lose the driver. More than that, I don’t want to be caught by him in an alleyway. I need people or a crowd, but I don’t see anyone. It’s likely that the rain has everyone staying inside. I’m confused how I haven’t managed to stumble onto a main road.

“Aurora!” The man bellows my name again as I take another turn. I can hear his every step over the rain that is starting to come down much faster. My lungs burn, and my bare feet ache. I want to cry out when I finally see what looks like a road as the steps behind me start to sound closer.

I don’t slow down as I run out from between the two buildings and into the street. A horn blares, and the sound of tires skidding draws my attention. I turn my head, and two bright lights blind me a half second before something hits my side. It’s not hard, the vehicle having slowed almost to a stop, but it’s enough to knock me onto my ass. A pain shoots through my side as all the air leaves my lungs.