The guard shifted uneasily. “Mr. Roth is expecting Mrs. Roth,” he replied, his confidence waning.

My father smiled, a sharp, calculated gesture that revealed nothing. “I’m sure he is, but I believe it’s time for a change in the flight plan.”

Before the guard could object, my father’s pilot appeared, stepping out of the plane. He was a wiry man with keen eyes, and his presence was enough to tip the balance. With a quick, decisive motion, he gestured for us to board.

As we ascended the steps, I felt the weight of Adrian’s betrayal press against my chest. The man I thought I had known and loved was willing to tear our family apart for reasons I could not comprehend. But there was no time to dwell on it now. With each step, I felt a surge of defiance. I was no longer the naive woman who believed wealth equated to safety; I was a mother protecting her child.

Inside the jet, my father turned to me. “We’re heading to a safe house. It’s secure, and no one knows its location except me.”