<h4>Chapter 265: Somewhere Safe</h4>


    Cammy’s phone buzzed furiously, the sound slicing through the silence of the car like a siren. Again and again it rang—persistent, demanding. She nced at the screen. Ric.


    She clenched the wheel tighter and let it ring. Her jaw was set, her chest tight with everything she couldn’t yet face.


    From the back seat, Dn’s small voice cut through the tension.


    "Mommy... aren’t you going to answer your phone? It says it’s Uncle Ric."


    Cammy’s eyes flicked to the rearview mirror. Dn was watching her, concern blooming across his innocent face.


    She swallowed hard, then offered a gentle smile through the ache in her chest. "Okay, sweetheart. Can you answer it for me? Tell Uncle Ric that Mommy is driving... and we’re on our way to your favorite fried chicken ce."


    Dn grinned and grabbed the phone. "Hi, Uncle Ric! Mommy is driving and we’re going to my favorite chicken ce!"


    There was a pause as Dn listened, then he repeated what he heard. "He said you should call him after you’re done driving. He said... he talked to the driver."


    Cammy’s smile faltered. Her stomach twisted. Her fingers trembled slightly on the steering wheel. Of course, Ric had spoken to the driver. Of course, he knew.


    She didn’t answer. She couldn’t.


    When they reached the fast-food chain, Cammy didn’t even slow down to park. Instead, she pulled directly into the drive-thrune.


    Dn looked around, confused. "Wait... aren’t we going to eat inside?"


    Cammy forced a brightness into her voice. "No, baby. I thought we’d do something a little different today. We’re going to eat in a park. Doesn’t that sound fun? Just you and me, under the trees."


    Dn’s eyes lit up, the questions forgotten. "Really? That sounds awesome! I can’t wait!"


    Cammy smiled, a flicker of hope softening her expression. But behind that smile, her heart thundered.


    Because she knew this wasn’t just a detour.


    This was the beginning of their escape.


    As soon as they arrived at the park, Cammy’s eyes scanned the open greenery until theynded on a quiet spot beneath a wide, leafy tree near the yground.


    Without wasting a second, she grabbed the folded pic mat she’d just bought from a vendor at the entrance and spread it out across the grass with trembling hands.


    She unpacked their food and drinks in silence, cing each item down with a care that masked the storm brewing inside her. Dn, blissfully unaware, dove straight into his meal, grabbing a drumstick and chomping down with a delighted grin.


    "Stay here, sweetheart. Eat as much as you want," Cammy said softly, brushing his hair back. "Mommy just needs to call Uncle Ric, alright?"


    Dn nodded, too busy with his chicken to protest.


    Cammy turned away, clutching her phone like it was her only lifeline. She barely had to wait—Ric picked up after a single ring.


    [Where are you?] came his voice, low and urgent, filled with worry. [I was going to bring you lunch when I saw Greg’s driver at the bus stop. He said you had bags and suitcases in the car. Cammy, what are you doing? Where are you going?]


    Her chest tightened. The sound of his voice—so calm, so gentle—broke something open inside her. Herposure cracked, and tears spilled freely down her cheeks.


    "Ric..." she whispered, voice shaking. "I’m taking Dn. I can’t—I won’t let Duncan send him away. I can’t survive without my son. Just being apart like this has already been unbearable. If Duncan takes him overseas... I’ll lose him forever."


    There was a pause. Then Ric’s voice softened even more, thick with emotion.


    [Okay. I understand. But don’t do this alone. Let me help you. Whatever it is—whatever you’re nning—I’m in. Just let me stand beside you.]


    Cammy’s breath caught. "Ric... I’m kidnapping my own child. This is illegal. I’m going to take him somewhere no one can find us. You’ve already done so much—you saved my baby... You don’t have to destroy your life for me, too."


    [Cammy,] Ric said, his voice breaking slightly, [you’re still underestimating what I’m willing to do for you. I can do more than just be your husband on paper. I meant what I said—till death do us part. If that means helping you disappear... then so be it. Let me be your partner in this. Please. I’m begging you.]


    Cammy stood in silence, her hand trembling as she wiped the tears from her cheeks. She looked over her shoulder at Dn, who wasughing quietly to himself, licking barbecue sauce from his fingers.


    Her heart clenched.


    After a long, painful pause, she whispered, "Alright. Come find us. We’re at Ashpeak Park, near the yground. I’ll wait for you."


    Less than an hourter, Ric arrived—his presence calm butmanding—and to Cammy’s surprise, Greg’s driver was with him.


    She looked at Ric with a questioning gaze, but he simply extended his hand toward her, his voice low and firm. "Give me the keys. He’s taking the car back. From here on out, we use mine. I don’t want Greg dragged into this... not even by ident."


    Cammy hesitated for a beat, then handed over the keys without a word.


    "Stay here. We’ll move your things to my car. I’ll be right back," he said, his tone gentle but resolute. He walked off quickly with the driver, leaving Cammy momentarily rooted in ce.


    She exhaled shakily and turned her attention to the remnants of their pic—folding the mat with care, discarding the empty boxes and stic cups as if tidying could somehow restore her inner order.


    A few minutester, Ric returned and silently came to stand beside her. They both watched Dn in the distance,ughing as he yed with a group of kids on the jungle gym—free, innocent, untouched by the heaviness surrounding them.


    "So," Ric said finally, his voice light but painted with something deeper, "what’s the next move, partner in crime?"


    Cammy didn’t look at him. Her gaze remained fixed on Dn, her voice soft but charged with pain. "I want to disappear, Ric. Just vanish. I’ve reached my limit. Every moment feels like I’m walking a tightrope between hope and heartbreak, and I can’t... I can’t take any more."


    Ric was quiet for a second before asking, "Where are you nning to go?"


    "I’m not sure yet," she admitted, her voice cracking. "But... there was this ce my dad and I visited before his stroke. Remote, quiet,pletely cut off from the world. I called the seller this morning—he said it’s still avable. So I told him I’m buying it. Today. It’s hidden from everything... even neighbors. It’s exactly what we need."


    Ric slipped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her gently to him. She let herself lean into him, feeling his strength.


    "That’s a brave decision, Cammy," he murmured. "But it’s also a hard one. You’re pregnant, and Dn’s still just a child. What about his schooling? What about medical care?"


    He paused, then looked down at her. "Let me make a counteroffer. I know a ce. A better one. Somewhere safe... somewhere no one will find you unless you want them to."


    Cammy looked at him and smiled before nodding. She is going to trust him with her future this time.