Part 1The Villain's Runaway Bride

I was pregnant with the villain's child.

He only married me to protect the heroine.

To avoid his cruelty, I gave birth and ran away.

Years later, I was flirting with a cute guy at my bar.

Suddenly, the bar was raided. A group of men surrounded me.

A sophisticated man smiled darkly and patted the child next to him.

"Go on, say hi to Mommy."

* * *

The bar was packed for an event tonight. Everyone greeted me as "Boss Lady" when I walked in.

A guy in a white shirt sat at the bar, looking lost.

I approached him. Rescuing cute, lost boys is a hobby of mine.

I bought him a drink. He looked away shyly.

We chatted a bit. He blushed easily.

He said he just graduated and was having trouble finding a job.

Perfect. My bar needed good-looking staff.

"Want a job? I guarantee you'll make more here than anywhere else."

My bar was popular with wealthy ladies. Tips were great.

He looked surprised.

Just as we were about to exchange numbers, a commotion erupted at the entrance.

Before I could react, a fleet of black SUVs surrounded the bar.

Bodyguards in suits blocked the door.

I thought the police were raiding the place.

But when I saw the license plate on the lead car, my blood ran cold.

I hit the panic button and ran for the back door.

As soon as I opened the alley door, a familiar figure was leaning against a car, playing with a vintage metal lighter.

"Chloe, you run every time, but you never get any faster."

Julian Sterling looked up slowly.

His smile was faint, but his eyes were terrifyingly cold.