I TOOK a deep breath as I stared at the suitcase in front of me. 

This is it, Bianca. No more backing out. 

Today, I finally decided to escape from Gideon. I couldn't allow myself to stay with him any longer. 

After what happened that night... five days ago... I suddenly found the courage to leave. 

I know how powerful Gideon is. I have all the reasons to be scared of him. But if I continued to be like this—scared, weak, and pathetic—I would lose my baby. 

I shut my eyes when I remembered how terrified I was that night... when I thought I already lost my baby. 

"If something happened to my baby, I would have fucking killed you, Gideon Henry." I angrily muttered to Gideon. The corner of my eyes were hot with unshed tears. 

I was lying on our king-sized bed after our doctor left. 

Of course. The powerful and ruthless Gideon Henry didn't drive me to the hospital. Instead, he called for a private doctor to come to his house. 

My hand protectively held onto my belly. The doctor told me I only had a minor bleeding earlier, and I have nothing to worry about because my baby is strong. When he asked me about what happened earlier, I told him I accidentally slipped on the staircase. 

"Really, Bianca?" Gideon retorted, giving me a sharp and cold look from the door of the room. "You really think you could kill me when you can even hurt a damn fly?" 

I gritted my teeth as I matched his sharp eyes. "You don't know what I can do to protect this child."

"You really love my fucking brother that you're willing to kill just to protect his child?" he asked, his voice dripping with acid. 

"This is not about Charlie, Gideon."

"I told you not to say his fucking name in front of me." His jaw clenched. "If you really want to protect your baby, be a good wife to me." 

"Am I not still being a good wife to you?" I hissed. "I do everything you say. I quit my fucking job. I play my part as your loving and smitten wife in front of everyone."

"Then stay that way, Bianca." He stepped towards me and sat on the corner of the bed. His hand went to my face. This time... his touch was gentle, but his eyes... they were as cold as ice. 

"Continue acting like the loving wife that you are." He lifted my chin and met my eyes. "And stay the fuck out of my brother. Because the next time I see you two again, you don't want to imagine what I'd do."

I picked up my suitcase and headed to the door. I have already made up my mind. I'm leaving him. 

I couldn't continue being like this. I needed to be brave. I needed to stand up. In order to protect my baby. 

If I continued to stay with Gideon, who knows what else he could do next time. 

I couldn't imagine losing this baby inside me. No. I couldn't let that happen. Never. 

I placed my hand on my belly as I put my suitcase in the trunk of my car. 

I promise I'll give you a good life. I'll work hard for the two of us. 

Gideon was currently on a three-day business trip to Atlanta. With him away, this was my chance to escape this hellhole. 

Gideon... he's really confident that I would never escape from him. That I would continue to be the obedient, fearful wife that I was. 

You're wrong, Gideon. And thanks for underestimating me. I said sarcastically. 

I smirked as I entered the driver's seat of my car. 

For one last time, I glanced at the bungalow Mediterranean style house that became my prison for months. A bittersweet smile escaped my lips as I started the car. 

Thirty minutes later, I was already nearing the exit of Los Angeles. I was on my way to Texas, where my best friend Andrea lives. Gideon didn't know about her. 

But I knew I wouldn't stay long in Texas. I needed to go somewhere far. Where Gideon couldn't see me. If I needed to leave everything behind and start a new life on the other end of the globe, I'd do it. Just to get away with my devil of a husband. 

My thoughts got interrupted when my cell phone rang. I glanced at the gadget on the dashboard. I saw Amelia on the screen. I frowned. Why was she calling me? For a second, I hesitated on answering it. But I guessed this would be the last time I'll be hearing her voice. Unlike Gideon, his mother had been so good to me. 

"Amelia, hi..." I said, after putting on my earpiece. 

"B-bianca..." I frowned when I heard her sniff on the other line. She sounded as if she was on the verge of breaking down. 

"Amelia, what's wrong?" 

"W-we need to fly to Atlanta right now, Bianca. Prepare s-some things. I'll have s-someone pick you up at your home. He'll be there in thirty."

I swear... there was something wrong in her voice. She was like... panicking. And why do we need to fly to Atlanta? 

My lips parted with a sudden realization. Did Gideon find out about my escape? And now he's using Amelia to stop me? 

I tightened my grip on the steering wheel. My heart started pounding inside my chest. 

I glanced at the screen on my phone. How did Gideon find out that I'm leaving? Did he put a tracking device on it? 

I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself. 

"A-Amelia, why are we going to Atlanta?" 

"M-Gideon..." Amelia muttered in a shaky low voice. "Gideon... he got into an accident, Bianca. T-the hospital called us. M-my son's in a critical condition."

"W-what?" I croaked. I accidentally hit the brake of the car in the middle of the road. 

My lips remained parted as Amelia's words kept on playing in my head. Gideon... there was an accident. And he's in critical condition. 

"Bianca... are you there?" 

"Y-yes… I…" 

My eyes widened when I saw a truck coming my way. I tried to step on the gas, but I realized it was too late. The next thing I knew, I saw my own blood before I lost my consciousness.