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There, across the room, a figure in black aims at the wedding party.
Someone fires a shot.
The figure crumples to the ground.
Nausea rises in my throat as the reality of the situation hits me. I don't know where Philippe is. I could die here. Our child could die here.
"Tatiana!" Martin pulls me into his arms. “Look, we can make a run for it. Philippe's men are getting the shooters down. It will be over soon."
I’m trembling. "I...I can't leave without Philippe. I need to make sure he's okay. We were about to get engaged and exchange rings. Martin," I cling to him, desperate and confused. "He'll be worried about us.” My hand instinctively goes to my stomach.
Martin's face pales as he grabs me by both shoulders and forces me to look at him. "Y...you're pregnant?"
I nod, tears streaming down my face. "Yes, I just found out."
Martin's grip on my shoulders tightens, his eyes filled with a mix of concern and disbelief. "Tatiana, we need to get you out of here. Your safety and the baby's safety are the most important things right now."
"But –" I protest.
Martin grabs my hands, forcing me to meet his gaze. "Tatiana, it's too dangerous. Whoever wanted you dead isn't going to stop trying. As long as you're with Philippe, you'll both be targeted."
I try to pull away, but his grip tightens. "Let go of me!"
Panic rises in my chest, suffocating me. I can't breathe. The walls are closing in, trapping me.
"Tatiana!" Martin's voice cuts through the fog in my mind. I gasp for air, clinging to his arms.
"Calm down," he says gently. "I won't let anything happen to you or the baby, I promise. Now, for all that is dear, Tatiana, we need to leave!"
My heart skips a beat. The baby. He can help me protect the baby. I stare up at him, eyes wide.
I bite my lip, struggling to stay calm. "Okay, but only because of the baby. The baby is the only reason I'm leaving with you. As soon as it's safe enough, we go back for Philippe."
"Sure. Let's get you out of here," he murmurs, guiding me out from below the table. He shelters me, keeping me against the wall, his back to the people, as he guides me out through the closest window. Shame washes over me as we step out into the cool night air. I glance back once at the chaotic scene inside. As Martin grips my hand and we run to his car, my heart aches. I’m abandoning Philippe.
Martin grips the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white. He slams down his foot on the accelerator, and the car skids on the loose gravel. The silence in the car is suffocating, thick with unspoken thoughts.
I stare at the passing roadside. Philippe's face keeps flashing in my mind, making me wonder where he is, how he is. But then I think of the life growing inside me. My baby is the only thing that matters right now.
Martin clears his throat, startling me from my reverie. His eyes remain fixed on the road ahead.
"Do you have your phone with you," I ask him. "I need to call Philippe."
"No," he says, slamming the steering wheel. I look at him, and suddenly, I feel cold.
"No?"
"I'm afraid I cannot allow you to speak with him. There are things about Philippe you don't know, things you don’t understand.” Martin’s grip on the steering wheel tightens. “He’s not who you think he is."
"What are you talking about?" I ask, confused.
Martin looks away, his jaw clenching. "All I can say is that you'll understand soon enough. But right now, you need to trust me. I'm taking you to the only place you'll be safe."
My heart skips a beat, fear prickling at the edges of my mind. "But Philippe needs to know that I am safe.” Tears well up in my eyes. "Stop talking in riddles, Martin! Tell me what you mean!"
"I know you must have a lot of questions. But there are things I can't tell you, not yet. You have to trust me, Tatiana."
Anger flares in my chest at his repeated pleas for trust. "How can I trust you when you won't tell me anything? You expect me to follow you blindly while keeping me in the dark?"
