WHEN THE DAY of the wedding came, I was a ball of sorrow and fear. Graduation passed and I had five days to deal. Five days to let my body heal. To let my heart deal with the mourning much as I could handle it. Last night, I told Owen my plans and I cried all night long in his arms, I had woken up in the morning determined to leave Ravenwood. We fought when he tried to give me five stacks of one-hundred-dollar bills. I finally conceded when he explained it was either I take the money or he was coming with me. He knew that New York was no longer an option for me and that I'll be going to a place where my father or Derek won't find me. He wanted to make sure that, wherever I ended up, I was safe.

It absolutely killed me to walk away from him.

As for Derek, I hadn't heard from him for days and his texts had stopped coming. I was beyond grateful for that.

For the second time today, I walk over my window and peek through the curtains and watch as guests pour out of their luxury cars and into the large garden that has been decorated to Arabella's content. Bouquets of flowers spill over tables set with the best china as waiters serve champagne in crystal flutes and an eight-piece orchestra plays a waltz beneath the dazzling glow of a dozen chandeliers. It's every girl's fantasy. It would be a beautiful day if it was not a nightmare for me.

I hear a knock at the door, and I go to open the door. It's Selma, her face full of concern. "The ceremony is about to start. You have to go now," she said hurriedly, before grabbing the duffel bag sitting on top of my bed.

She and Owen are the only people whom I trusted to tell about my plans. I nodded. "I can do it. Please go back Selma. My mother will scold you if she notice your absence."

She waves her hand off. "It's you I'm worried about."

I stared at her, overwhelmed by her kindness and compassion, but I couldn't respond. Selma has always been the only thing that's good in this house.

A lump filled my throat, and I felt tears threatening. "I'll be fine, Selma. Don't worry."

"I know you will, dear. You're a lot stronger than you think. I don't want you to leave, but I also don't want you to get stuck in this house with those people either. God knows you deserve so much better."

"Thank you for everything." My voice was a whisper by then, and Selma got all serious.

"Someday, that guy will realize what he lost." she said quietly.

I stiffened as I realized what she meant. "W-When –"

She smiles, "Awhile. But let's not talk about that. You will leave all of this behind and you will start anew, ok?"

I didn't realize I was crying until a tear hit my arm. A second tear fell and I bit my lip before nodding. We each gave a tight hug and she exited first to make sure the hallway was clear before gesturing for me to step out. I head quietly for the utility room and took the stairs that was connected to the back door.

A cab was waiting outside and the driver immediately open the door. He reached for my bag and my heart squeezed as the car door shut closed. There was ahold on it, crushing it inch by inch.

Is Kade already inside? Is he looking for me? Is he going to be sad when he finds out I left?

I shook off the heartbreaking thoughts, and held my breath as the engine roared to life. Pulling out the small envelope from my handbag, I looked down at the ticket and the fake passport, a cold thrill run down my spine. I had no idea how Selma has done it, but I was beyond grateful for her help.

I can do this. I can do this. I keep telling myself that but there was an unsettled feeling in my gut that refused to leave as the cab turn around the corner leading to the main street. As we rode in silence, I hadn't expected what I see next. My parents were being led by cops toward a police car parked beside the curb while photographers snaps away frantically.

"Stop the car," I called out, not taking my eyes off of the scene as we drove past them.

When the car didn't stop, my eyes swung up front, confused. "Can you please stop the car?"

"I can't do that, Miss Ayla." His voice was low, smooth, and as cold as wind-scoured steel.

Alarm hitched inside of me. I straightened from my seat, trying to take a good look at the driver. "What do you mean?"

It was only then I realized he was wearing unusual clothing for a normal cab driver. He was dressed in a black suit with a white shirt and a black tie. He also had on a pair of black leather driving gloves, and, if I wasn't mistaken, there was a bulge at his sides that indicated he was carrying a pistol.

When his gaze met mine in the rearview mirror, his eyes were pale blue, hard, cold, and scarily intelligent. "My name is Silas. I have been instructed to collect you."

"Collect me?" I spat the word. "Tell me what the hell is going on or else I will call the cops."

His face remained impassive. "You don't have a cellphone, Miss."

I dug inside my bag and panic sets in when I can't find my phone. "What the hell?"

"Mr. Sinclair specifically instructed to make sure you have no contact to anyone before we're en route."

I stiffened, a shiver of wariness snaking down my spine. "Kade?"

A dozen questions were swimming in my head, but the only thing I seemed to have managed to stutter was, "Why?"

Silas sighed. "I am unable to answer any questions."

I held my ground. "What happened?" When he didn't answer immediately, I ask again,"Why are they arrested?"

His eyes narrowed in irritation. "I told you, Miss, I cannot and will not answer any further questions."

I slumped down back on my seat, fully defeated and my heart beating wildly against my chest.

He drove us to a small airport, passing through a security checkpoint, and then he parked on the tarmac beside a huge private jet. I swallowed hard as I stared out the tinted window at the airplane.

"If you wish to call your friend, Owen, now is the time, Miss," Silas said as he held out a phone to me.

I scowled at him. "Where's my own phone?"

"Mr. Sinclair will be the one to give it to you." He answered.

I let out shaky breath and grab the phone from him. I was surprised to see Owen's number already in dial. I hit the call button and waited.

"Hello?"

I sighed. "Owen, it's me."

A pause, then, "Holy shit Ayla have you seen the news?"

"No, I don't know what the hell is happening either. Kade had someone to picked me up and now I'm in Kansas City International Airport. About to board a plane but I had no idea where the hell it's taking me because the driver refuse to fucking tell me." I forced myself to breathe calmly.

Owen sucked in a sharp breath. "Shit."

"Do you know what happened? Where are my parents?"

"They were currently in custody of the police. You'll be shocked about the amount of criminal cases against them. It was all over the news,"

"What?" I am loss of words. A knock on the window startled me.

Silas opened the car door. "It's time, Miss Ayla."

"I have to go, Owen."

"Be—be careful, okay? Call me as soon as you can."

"I will." I held my breath as I step out of the car on a jelly-weak knees.

Silas closed the door behind me, and then gestured to the movable stairway leading up to the door of the jet. "Ready?"

I shook my head. "I guess."

I don't know what I should be feeling, but it's definitely not this strange calmness as I ascend the steps.