The Decision to Flee

**Charlotte's POV**

The hospital room was bathed in a soft, quiet light, the calm atmosphere sharply contrasting with the storm of emotions inside me. My twins slept peacefully beside me, their small breaths filling the space with a serenity I couldn't reach. The escape plan Lucas and I had devised months ago had fallen apart, but as I looked at my children, I realized time was running out.

Lucas was there, sitting by the bed, his face marked by worry and urgency. He had been my only ally in this chaos, the only person who cared enough to help me escape the clutches of Richard and Vanessa. Now, the reality of our situation was pressing down harder than ever.

“Charlotte, we can't wait any longer,” he said, his voice low but firm. “Every minute we stay here, we're risking everything. Richard and Vanessa will tighten their surveillance as soon as they sense something's up. We need to act now before they have a chance to stop us.”

I knew he was right. Every fiber of my being screamed that staying here meant condemning not just myself but also my children to a life of control and manipulation. The original plan had failed, but there was still a chance, one last opportunity to escape before it was too late.

I looked at Lucas, my heart pounding. “What do you have in mind? How are we going to get out of here without them noticing?”

Lucas leaned in closer, his eyes shining with determination. “I’ve already arranged everything. We have a car waiting outside. We can leave now, before anyone notices. But we need to be quick and quiet.”

“And the babies?” My voice was tinged with fear. “They're so small... what if something goes wrong?”

Lucas took my hand, squeezing it gently. “I know it's risky, Charlotte. But staying here is even more dangerous. Richard will try to find us, but if we act now, we can throw him off. I’ve already secured a safe place for us. You and the twins will be far away before he even realizes what's happened.”

My heart raced as I processed his words. The idea of fleeing now, so suddenly, was terrifying, but it was also the only viable option. There was no time for hesitation. If we waited any longer, Richard and Vanessa would gain complete control, and I knew that once that happened, I’d never have another chance to escape.

“I’m doing this,” I said, my voice firm despite the fear twisting inside me. “We’ll leave now. I won’t let Richard and Vanessa have my children.”

Lucas nodded, his expression softening slightly as he saw my resolve. “Then we need to move quickly. I’ll get the car ready. You have to be ready to leave as soon as I get back. We can't waste a second.”

I nodded, feeling adrenaline begin to course through my veins. As Lucas left the room, I turned to look at my children, so small and defenseless. A new wave of determination washed over me. They deserved a life free from Richard and Vanessa's influence, a life where they could grow up safe, without fear or control.

I began to move quickly and efficiently. I gathered the few belongings I had in the hospital room—just some clothes and the essentials for the babies. Every movement I made was filled with nervous energy, aware that time was running out.

When Lucas returned, less than ten minutes later, he had an alert and urgent look on his face. “The car’s ready. We have a very short window. We need to leave now.”

I held my children carefully, trying not to wake them as I secured them as safely as possible. My heart was pounding, but the decision was made. There was no turning back.

Lucas helped me out of the room, his movements quick and efficient. We managed to navigate the hospital corridors without encountering anyone—a blessing I knew wouldn’t last long. With every step, my heart beat faster, but also more determined. I was doing what was necessary to protect my children, to ensure they had a chance to grow up away from the darkness that surrounded Richard and Vanessa.

When we finally reached the car, Lucas opened the door for me, and I got in, still holding the babies with the utmost care. He got in quickly after, starting the engine without hesitation.

“Let’s get out of here,” he said, his voice firm but laced with controlled tension.

As the car began to move, I felt a wave of emotions hit me hard. Fear, yes, but also a sense of relief, of freedom that I hadn’t felt in so long. We were fleeing—finally fleeing. And despite all the risks, all the uncertainties, I knew I was doing the right thing.

**Richard's POV**

As the party continued, I felt a growing unease within me. Vanessa was by my side, as radiant as ever, but there was something about her presence that felt oppressive, suffocating. I knew I should be with Charlotte, seeing my children, but here I was, smiling and pretending everything was under control.

That was when the phone rang. I answered automatically, without even glancing at the screen, expecting to hear news about Charlotte. But the voice on the other end of the line wasn’t my mother’s or a doctor’s.

“Mr. Anderson,” said a voice I didn’t immediately recognize. “Mr. Anderson, I need to inform you that Charlotte and the babies... they’ve disappeared from the hospital. No one knows where they went.”

The shock hit me like a wave of ice, freezing me in place. Disappeared? How was that possible? Before I could respond, Vanessa placed her hand on my arm, her touch suddenly unbearable.

“What is it, Richard?” she asked, but her tone didn’t carry the concern it should have. Instead, there was something cold and calculating behind her words.

I couldn’t answer. All I could think about was the last thing I’d heard: Charlotte and the babies were gone.