Chapter Four: If You Run, I'll Bleed
I woke up with a slight headache and a heavy feeling in my chest.
For a second, I didn't recognize where I was.
The bed was too big.
The sheets smelled unfamiliar—clean, masculine, expensive.
Sunlight streamed through tall curtains, warming my skin.
Then it all came rushing back.
The bar.
The drinks.
Andre breaking a man's arm like it was nothing.
Being carried in his arms.
My lips on his.
My drunken voice whispering—
Let's get married.
I groaned and buried my face in the pillow.
"Oh my God," I muttered. "Sarah, what have you done?"
My cheeks burned as I remembered everything too clearly. I slowly sat up, pulling the blanket tighter around myself.
Andre.
I scanned the room.
He wasn't there.
The room was neat, dark-toned, and intimidating—just like him. Nothing soft. Nothing unnecessary. It felt like a place where rules were made and broken without mercy.
I swung my legs off the bed and noticed a bathrobe folded neatly on a chair. I slipped it on, tying it tightly, and stepped out of the room.
As I walked down the hallway, I heard hushed voices below.
"…I still can't believe it."
"Me neither. Boss Andre? In the kitchen?"
"And cooking?"
I smiled faintly.
I followed the voices.
The kitchen came into view—and I froze.
It was a mess.
Flour on the counter.
Eggshells everywhere.
Smoke drifting from a pan.
Andre stood in the middle of it all, sleeves rolled up, hair slightly messy, staring down at a burnt pancake like it had personally betrayed him.
I bit my lip to stop myself from laughing.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
He turned around instantly.
His eyes locked on me.
For a moment, he didn't speak.
Then his gaze softened—just a little.
"Making breakfast," he said.
I looked around. "You're… fighting the kitchen."
A corner of his mouth twitched.
"I won the soup," he said calmly. "The pancakes are traitors."
I laughed.
He motioned to the cook standing nervously nearby. "Prepare another breakfast."
Then he handed me a bowl.
"Hangover soup," he said. "Drink."
I took it, surprised. "You made this?"
"Yes."
I tasted it.
It was good.
Really good.
As I drank, I felt his eyes on me—intense, focused, like he was memorizing every detail of my face.
"Why are you staring?" I asked, suddenly shy.
"You're beautiful," he said.
There was no teasing. No heat. Just truth.
My chest tightened.
"That's why I caught your attention?" I asked softly.
"Always," he replied.
Something warm spread through me.
He checked his watch and straightened. "I have work. I'll be at the office."
"Oh," I said, trying to sound casual.
"I want to see you when I'm back."
I smirked. "Unless?"
"Unless….you run," he said coolly. "Then I'll find you. And I'll put chains on you."
The words hit me like ice.
A flash….
Dark rooms.
Cold metal around my wrists.
Me screaming at him.
"LET ME GO"
Or I ask ridiculous questions
"Where is Raymond", "what have you done to him" He'll reply coldly grabbing my chin
"Look around, you're in my bed, not his"
Tries to kiss me forcefully, but I bit him
"Monster" I called out
Fierce, he said, that's why I like you
I Hate you, I screamed
Him walking out, leaving me in chains..
I remembered his face then—hurt, silent, unreadable.
Back in the present, fear flickered in my chest. He meant it when he said he was gonna put me in chains…
But this time, I understood.
It wasn't control.
It was obsession born from love.
Twisted. Dangerous.
But honest.
I smiled lightly. "I'm not going anywhere. Just to the market. I want to cook for you."
He studied me carefully.
Then nodded.
He went upstairs to prepare for work..
Before leaving, he stopped and looked at me. "Last night… were you serious?"
I stepped closer, kissed his cheek,smiled and whispered, "Be safe." He looked at me and smiled and said, 'see you soon'..
He left.
I went back upstairs and sat on the bed, my mind racing. I felt anger, I needed to act fast, then I thought…
"Revenge".
I needed to move carefully. Strategically.
My mother's death wasn't random. Now I know It was planned. A Slow and careful plan..
I had to find proof.
My phone ringing cut through my thoughts…it was Father…
I answered calmly. "Hello."
"Where are you?" he demanded.
"At my man's house."
Silence.
"Come home Now," he snapped.
"My man won't let me," I replied sweetly.
He was about to say something but then I hung up.
I changed my clothes and headed out for the market
⸻
On the way to the market, something caught my eye.
A café. The same cafe I and Raymond goes to…
I slowed down and looked inside, this time I saw them.
Blair.
Raymond.
Laughing. Feeding each other. Fingers intertwined.
My heart didn't break.
It didn't even ache.
A memory surfaced—how close they always were. How I ignored it. How blind I'd been, his late hours, always making excuses…
In my past life, this would've destroyed me.
Now?
I felt pity.
I turned away and kept walking.
⸻
Andre returned home to an empty house.
"Sarah?" he called.
No answer.
Agitation crept in.
"She went out," a maid said nervously.
His jaw tightened.
She ran.
Again. Was she truly playing with me, he thought
Anger burned through him.
He left the house immediately without thinking, without a weapon or guards and he was been targeted he didn't know he had walked straight into a trap.
⸻
I returned later with groceries.
"Where's Andre?" I asked.
The maids exchanged looks.
"He went to find you."
My heart dropped. I remembered around this time in my past life that he was hurt badly…I didn't think twice…
I ran. I remembered the dark alley he was been attacked and I walked into it, I saw him…
He was bleeding.
Surrounded and one of them was about to pull the trigger…
I acted fast as I played a siren sound on my phone.
They panicked and ran thinking it was the police…
I dropped beside him about to call 911, he stopped me..
"No hospital," he whispered. "Call Bruce."
I did.
Bruce and some men came almost immediately and saved him.
On our way back As he drifted in and out of consciousness, he held my hand.
"You came back," he murmured.
"Yes," I whispered. "I always will."
And somewhere deep inside, I knew—
This time, loving him wouldn't kill me.
But my revenge might and I needed to trade carefully