Chapter 5 - The Proposal
The next few weeks were quiet.
Clara spent her days on the beach, reading books and watching the waves.
Ethan worked remotely, managing his company from the villa.
They ate dinner together every night, talking about everything and nothing.
But there was always an undercurrent of fear.
Veronica was still in jail, but her trial was approaching.
And Clara knew that Veronica wouldn't go down without a fight.
---
Three weeks after they arrived on the island, Ethan received a phone call.
He took it in the study, and Clara could hear his voice rising through the door.
"Who told you that?" he was shouting.
"Ethan, what's going on?" she asked, bursting into the room.
He looked at her, his face pale.
"Veronica's lawyers are arguing for bail."
"Bail? She tried to kill me."
"I know. But her lawyers are arguing that she's not a flight risk."
"She is a flight risk."
"I know. But the judge is considering it."
"Ethan, if she gets out—"
"I know. I'll do everything I can to stop it."
"Ethan, what if I need to testify?"
"You won't have to. I'll make sure of it."
"Ethan, you can't just—"
"Yes, I can. I'll do whatever it takes to protect you."
---
The next few days were tense.
Ethan spent hours on the phone with his lawyers, trying to prevent Veronica's release.
Clara tried to stay calm, but the fear was eating away at her.
She couldn't sleep.
She couldn't eat.
All she could think about was Veronica getting out and coming after her.
---
The day of the bail hearing arrived.
Ethan sat in the study, his phone pressed to his ear, listening to the proceedings.
Clara sat beside him, her hand wrapped tightly around his.
"What's happening?" she asked.
"They're still arguing."
"When will we know?"
"I don't know."
"Ethan, I'm so scared."
"I know. But whatever happens, I'll protect you."
"Promise?"
"I promise."
---
Three hours later, the phone rang again.
Ethan answered it, his face tense.
"Ethan," he said, "are they going to release her?"
Clara held her breath.
"Yes," he said finally.
"No."
"They're releasing her."
"Ethan, no."
"I'm sorry, Clara. I did everything I could."
"Ethan, you promised."
"I know. I broke my promise."
"What are we going to do?"
"We're going to fight. We're not going to give up."
"But Ethan, she'll find us."
"I know."
"What are we going to do?"
"We're going to go somewhere even safer."
"Where?"
"Somewhere she can't find us."
"Where?"
"I'm not going to tell you. The less you know, the better."
"Ethan, I need to know."
"No, you don't. You just need to trust me."
May you like
"I trust you."
"Then we're going to leave tonight."
