I nodded, the reality of the situation crashing down like a tidal wave. “Thank you,” I whispered, the words heavy with gratitude and regret for the years lost between us.

He squeezed my hand gently, a silent acknowledgment of our shared past and the uncertain future ahead. “We’ll keep you safe,” he assured me, his voice a balm to my frayed nerves.

As the plane taxied down the runway, I allowed myself a moment to breathe, to process the whirlwind of events that had led me here. The life I had envisioned was gone, replaced by a new reality where trust was scarce, and every move was fraught with danger.

But I wasn’t alone. My father, once a stranger by choice, was now my ally. Together, we would face whatever lay ahead, united by blood and a fierce determination to protect what mattered most.

As the jet lifted into the night sky, I silently vowed that I would not let Adrian’s treachery define me or my child’s future. I would fight, I would survive, and I would ensure that my baby never experienced the darkness of betrayal.

The journey ahead was uncertain, but as long as I had my father by my side, I knew we stood a chance.