Chapter 17
474words
"She's completely unhinged," Nolan said quietly, his arm protective around my shoulders. "But she can't hurt any of us now."
Back in Owen's room, we found him still sleeping soundly, blissfully unaware of the chaos. His peaceful face brought tears of relief to my eyes.
"We need to get away from here," Nolan said decisively. "Not just this city—this country. We need a fresh start."
I looked at him, startled. "You're serious?"
Nolan nodded, his expression resolute. "Completely. I have a house in Switzerland—pristine environment, world-class medical facilities. Owen can continue his treatment there. And we'll be far from Emma, far from all these painful memories."
The idea was instantly appealing. Leaving behind the pain and fear, starting fresh in a place untainted by our past mistakes.
"But your company?" I asked, concerned. "Your whole life is here."
Nolan smiled—a real smile that reached his eyes. "I can run the business remotely, or appoint someone to manage it. Nothing matters more than you and Owen."
His words melted the last of the ice around my heart. This was my Nolan—the man who would put family above everything else.
"Okay," I said softly. "Switzerland it is. A new beginning for all of us."
Three months later, with Owen's condition finally stable, we relocated to a picturesque village in the Swiss Alps. Surrounded by crystal-clear lakes and majestic mountains, the clean air and tranquil setting created the perfect healing environment.
Nolan purchased a charming chalet with a sprawling garden, and our little family began rebuilding. Owen thrived in the new setting, delighting in the garden swing, befriending local wildlife, and quickly making friends at his new international school.
Our days were filled with peace and healing, though Emma's shadow occasionally crossed my mind. She'd been diagnosed with severe delusional disorder and committed to a high-security psychiatric facility. Nolan maintained discreet monitoring of her status—both to ensure she received proper treatment and to guarantee she could never threaten our family again.
One evening, after tucking Owen in, I found myself opening the security monitoring app on my laptop. Nolan had installed it so we could keep tabs on our old residence back home. I knew it was unhealthy, but I couldn't shake the fear that Emma might somehow find us.
The grainy footage showed a gaunt figure pacing outside our former apartment building. Even through the poor resolution, I recognized Emma immediately. She was drastically thinner, her once-perfect hair matted, her designer clothes replaced by hospital scrubs.
"I'll find them... kill her... take back what's mine..." she muttered to herself, her vacant eyes staring at nothing, her movements erratic and purposeless.
