Ms. Escape: Marrying to Run, Fighting to Rise Free Preview

A thirty-year-old man's desire was raw and blunt.

Adriana Xander had lost track of how long the sex had lasted. Her body felt like it was falling apart, drowning in lust so intense she could barely breathe.

Matthew Langford knew her body too well. He hit every sensitive spot with precision. Not a single touch was wasted. He was smooth and skilled.

"Clear my schedule for the week starting tomorrow. I'm taking time off. Book two tickets to Neocoralis." Finally done, Matthew stood by the bed, slowly getting dressed.

Adriana shifted her sore waist a bit, her eyes lighting up. "Matthew, you're taking me on vacation?"

Matthew paused, frowned slightly, and looked at her. "I'm going with Natasha."

The smile froze on Adriana's face. She lowered her head awkwardly, saying, "Okay, Mr. Langford ... "

Seeing her pale face, Matthew spoke again. "Adriana, you're just an orphan. You're young. I can't marry you."

Adriana looked up at him, forcing a bitter smile. "I never expected you to marry me ... But now that Ms. Jones is divorced and back, should we end this affair?"

Matthew's face darkened. He rubbed her head, trying to soothe her, and placed a card on the nightstand. "Be good. Buy whatever you want."

"Mr. Langford, I don't want to be a mistress ... " Adriana stared at him stubbornly. She knew he'd marry Natasha Jones eventually.

"You're talking too soon. We'll deal with it when the time comes. Don't throw tantrums. Whether we end this or not isn't up to you." Clearly impatient, Matthew glanced at her one last time and left.

As the door shut, Adriana's ears buzzed. She couldn't hear a thing.

Adriana was an orphan. Freshman year, her looks drew a rich mean girl Mia Langford's envy. Mia didn't stop at jealousy. She went so far as to bully her.

The bullying left her deaf in one ear, crushed her pinky toe, and nearly blinded her with a cigarette burn ...

Someone filmed it and posted it online. The scandal blew up.

The school called in the parents. Standing in for Mia was Matthew—her brother.

Maybe it was for the Langford Group's reputation, maybe out of pity, but Matthew reached out to the battered Adriana. The first thing he said to her was, "Don't be scared. I won't let anyone hurt you again."

Spineless. Pathetic. Adriana fell for him. At her most vulnerable, Matthew fed every fantasy she had about love and safety.

She used to think he was her salvation. But now ... he didn't love her. He just wouldn't let her go.

...

At the Langford Group.

Matthew had a meeting to handle his handover. Natasha waited in his office.

Soon, they'd be flying to Neocoralis together ... to spend seven romantic days ahead.

Adriana placed the coffee in front of Natasha, her chest aching like it was being sliced open. "Ms. Jones, enjoy your coffee."

Natasha glanced at her, smiling gently.

She came from a good family, perfectly matched with Matthew. They were childhood sweethearts. Natasha had that classy, elegant vibe. Born into wealth, effortlessly graceful—just sitting there, her confidence burned Adriana's eyes.

Adriana knew she lost. She never stood a chance.

A prince never really falls for a poor girl. He just used her to kill time.

Setting down the cup, Adriana practically fled the office.

She had no confidence. The orphan label, the poverty, the scars from the abuse—every inch of her screamed insecurity.

"Mr. Langford and Ms. Jones are going on their honeymoon? I heard they're official now. Once they're back, the engagement will be announced. Both families already gave their blessing."

In the pantry, coworkers gossiped about Matthew and Natasha's wedding.

As Adriana filled her cup, the boiling water splashed on her hand, turning her skin red.

The cup slipped from her hand and shattered. Startled, she rushed to rinse her burn under cold water.

Matthew and Natasha were getting married.

This meant she and Matthew were done. And so was her internship at the Langford Group.

"Adriana, Mr. Langford wants you to drive him and Ms. Jones to the airport at 11," a coworker called out.

Adriana forced a bitter smile. Matthew ... is ruthless.

She knew he was doing it on purpose. There were drivers available, but he picked her—to remind her of her place and to kill off any foolish hopes.

In the end, both Matthew and Mia were bullies. They just had different ways of breaking people.

One shattered her body. The other crushed her already broken heart.

Pulling out her phone, Adriana hesitated for a long time before dialing a number she had once blocked.

"Hello, Mr. Lincoln. You once said ... if I agreed to marry you, you'd sponsor my studies in Pastalia. Does that offer still stand?" Her voice trembled.

Marriage might be her only way out of Haldoria, also the only way to escape Matthew.

"Think it through," the man replied in a deep voice. "Come to Clarke Residence on the 13th at 7 p.m. We'll discuss the details."

The 13th. Eight days left.

"Hey, Anna." Adriana had just hung up when Natasha called her softly.

She turned around nervously, facing Natasha, who was standing in the pantry.

Too gentle. Too graceful. Even standing there with a smile made Adriana feel suffocated.

"M-Ms. Jones, what can I do for you?"

"I just remembered I still need to pick up a few things for the trip. Could you help me get them?" Natasha handed her a handwritten list.

Her handwriting, like her, was neat and delicate.

Adriana froze for a moment. One word hit her like a knife—condoms.

"Thank you. Keep it between us," Natasha whispered with a wink.

Adriana nodded awkwardly and almost fled the pantry.

She had just turned 19 the first time with Matthew. It was her birthday. He gave her flowers and a cake.

As an orphan, she'd never even had birthday cake. That little cake and bouquet completely swept her off her feet. She gave him everything.

Bitterly, Adriana smiled at herself. What a joke.

Girls really do need to grow up rich. Otherwise, one cake is all it takes for a man to trick you.

Four years with Matthew, yet she had never once bought condoms. He didn't like them, so he always made her take pills.

But for Natasha? Of course, he couldn't bear to make her take pills. Too harmful, right?

...

On the way to the airport, Adriana stayed silent the whole time.

"We're tight on time. Drive faster," Matthew deliberately reminded her, sensing her mood.

"Yes, Mr. Langford." Adriana nodded and turned left on the green light.

The car ahead had just crossed when suddenly a boy ran through the red light. Adriana swerved hard to avoid him and crashed straight into the median.

"Natasha!" At the moment of impact, Matthew shielded Natasha in his arms.

Luckily, the speed wasn't high. Only the driver's side was badly damaged.

The airbag burst out. The crumpled frame pinned Adriana tightly against the seat. Her left leg was trapped, pain blurring her senses.

"Matthew ... " Terrified, her voice trembled. "Help me ... "

She was terrified of being trapped in tight spaces, unable to move.

Back in her freshman year, Mia once shoved her into a wooden crate and locked her inside. No matter how hard she screamed, cried, or pounded, no one came.

The crushing pressure, the suffocating air—it was pure hell.

If the janitor hadn't noticed the urine stain on the floor the next morning, she would've died in there.

"Matthew!" Seeing him about to get out of the car, Adriana panicked, forgetting that Natasha was right there. "Don't leave me—"

"Let the rescue team and traffic police handle it."

Matthew stepped out, shielding Natasha, his face dark. He called for rescue.

"She's still in there." Natasha glanced at him, a bit suspicious. Assistants weren't supposed to call their boss by name like that.

Matthew pulled Natasha into his arms, shot a cold glance at the trapped Adriana, and then checked the time. "No time. The crash wasn't bad. We'll grab a cab to the airport. They'll get her out."

Matthew nodded, glanced at Adriana with meaning, but said nothing. She followed him away from the wreck.

Adriana lost it. She pounded on the window, struggling wildly. But Matthew never once looked back.

She knew he was afraid Natasha would get the wrong idea.

Watching him leave, her emotions finally broke. She sobbed uncontrollably. "Matthew! Help me ... You promised you'd never leave me ...

"Liar! You're a liar, Matthew! You said you'd protect me!"

Her breakdown spiraled quickly. The depression and mania sent her into a frenzy, thrashing in the tiny space.

Her injuries weren't serious at first, but now she was hurting herself without even realizing it.

"Let me out ... Let me out!" she screamed, pounding on the window.

The old trauma from freshman year clouded her mind, making it impossible to think straight, until the sharp smell of smoke from the engine filled the car.

"The car's on fire!"

"There's no one inside; I saw them leave!"

People on the road were shouting.

Adriana sat trapped, hopeless, counting under her breath.

"One, two, three, four ... "

The night Mia locked her in that box, she counted all the way to 6,788.

She wondered, At what number will I die this time?

Guess she was just too stubborn to die. Thankfully, she was saved.

When she woke up, it was already the next morning.

"Fractured right arm, mild concussion, multiple soft tissue injuries ... "

The doctor stood by her bed, looking at her. "Anything else uncomfortable?"

Adriana shook her head, picked up her phone, and checked it. Not a single call from Matthew.

But the man who never posted anything on his Instagram had, for once, posted a picture. The photo showed a crystal blue sea with a gorgeous view ...

Of course, the real focus was on Natasha in her Bohemian dress. She looked stunning—more beautiful than the scenery itself.

Adriana curled up, pulled the blanket over her head, and cried.

Four years with Matthew, and what was she to him?

Nothing.

...

Adriana returned to her tiny apartment after her discharge, took an ibuprofen, and fell asleep.

She had nerves of steel—slept a whole day and finally felt human again.

After sticking on a few pain relief patches, she dragged herself back to work.

She needed that intern paycheck.

"Did you see Mr. Langford's post? God, he's so whipped! He never posts anything but made an exception just for Ms. Jones!"

"OMG, He's such a good guy! Stayed single all these years and kept his distance from other women. He's always waiting just for her!"

The moment Adriana stepped into the office, she overheard her coworkers gossiping.

She let out a bitter laugh and sat at her desk.

Yeah, Matthew loves Natasha.

But kept his distance from other women? That's so funny.

Adriana found it ironic. Men are all the same. Love and sex are two separate things for them.

He loved Natasha with his heart. But his body? That had been with her plenty of times.

"Ms. Langford, this is a work area. Mr. Langford said—"

Suddenly, noise came from the elevator.

Adriana glanced over—and her blood instantly ran cold.

Mia had arrived.

"Get out of my way!" Mia stormed in, high heels clacking, dressed head-to-toe in luxury. She walked straight up to Adriana.

Adriana shrank back, head down, shoulders hunched. The shadow of that bullying from freshman year had never really faded.

"Adriana, Matthew's coming back today," Mia whispered in her ear like a devil. "He and Natasha are getting married."

She let out a mocking laugh. "Four years ago, I told you—the day Matthew dumps you is the day you die ... "

Adriana froze.

Four years had passed, and Mia still wouldn't let her go.

Smack! In front of everyone, Mia slapped Adriana across the face.

Adriana didn't fight back. She didn't even say anything.

She had no choice. She just had to take it, because there was no way she could mess with Mia.

Even though she'd fantasized about killing her a million times, as long as she wanted to stay alive, she couldn't make a move.

If one day she really had enough of living, she'd take Mia down with her.

But for now ... she was pathetic and desperate to live.

"Remember this slap?" Mia sneered. "Back then, Matthew hit me because of you. The first time in my life he ever laid a hand on me—and then he shipped me off overseas! All because of you!" She grabbed the coffee on the table and poured it right over Adriana's head.

"You think landing Matthew means you've won? Who do you think you are? An orphan. That's all you'll ever be. Do you really think he'd marry you?"

Mia shoved Adriana's head down, her tone getting nastier. "Get out of the Langford Group. Or I'll leak all your dirty secrets to the company chat."

Adriana kept her head down. Silent.

Dirty secrets? Does she mean when she and her friends stripped me naked during freshman year and took those photos? Or the fact that I slept with Matthew?

No one in the office dared to speak up for Adriana, because Mia was the heiress of the company.

After Mia finally left, a coworker cautiously whispered, "Adriana ... how'd you get on the wrong side of the Langfords?"

Adriana smiled and wiped her face with a tissue. "We were classmates in college. Had some drama."

...

In the restroom.

Adriana hid in a corner, fixing her clothes.

She didn't cry.

Back in her freshman year, she would've cried like a child over how unfair life was.

Was it her fault that she was an orphan?

Did having no family mean she deserved to be bullied?

Now she understood. Being an orphan was original sin. No background, no protection—that's all people needed to crush you.

Bullies never need a reason.

Beep!

Her phone buzzed. A transfer notification—Matthew had wired her 50 grand through PayPal.

The drama at work today was loud enough. He must've heard Mia slapped her.

Wow! Fifty grand for a slap.

Not bad.

"I already called and yelled at Mia. Go buy yourself something."

His voice message came right after.

Same line as always—go buy something.

"Thank you, Mr. Langford."

Adriana accepted the money. She earned it. She'd take it.

She stared at their chat for a while. Some part of her was hoping for more. Hoping he'd at least ask if she got hurt in that car accident. But nothing.

She shut off her phone and went to HR to file her resignation. Since she was just an intern, the process was simple.

Tomorrow is the 13th. She had a meeting that night at the Clarke Residence with Curtis Lincoln.

If she nailed this deal, she could finally get out of the Haldoria city.

Out of Matthew's reach.

After transferring the money to her bank account, Adriana headed straight to the big mall nearby.

Fifty grand was a huge deal to her. But for Matthew? Probably not even pocket change.

"I'd like to see that bag," Adriana said, gathering her courage as she stepped into a luxury boutique.

The salesgirl gave her a quick once-over. "That one's 49,800 dollars."

Adriana smiled. Perfect. That's exactly what she had.

"I'll take it. Please wrap it up," she said calmly, sitting down as her legs were killing her.

The salesgirl's attitude flipped instantly. She smiled brightly and went to get the bag.

In this store, a forty-something-thousand bag was entry-level. Nothing fancy. But for Adriana, it was dignity.

The moment she held the bag, it felt heavy in her hands.

She didn't feel more confident because of it. If anything ... she felt even smaller.

As she was about to leave the counter, another bag in a display case caught her eye. "Can I ask how much that one is?"

She remembered that bag. Matthew had given the exact same one to Natasha. When Natasha carried it, she looked elegant, poised—radiating confidence.

"That one's a limited edition," the salesgirl smiled. "Store display. You'd need at least 30 million in accumulated purchases or buy around ten million worth of products to qualify."

Adriana froze.

Thirty million ...

What did 30 million mean? For Matthew, it was pocket change—something he'd burn just to make Natasha smile. For an orphanage, it could save hundreds of lives.

Why was the world so damn unfair?

The gap between her and Natasha wasn't just the price of a bag.

It was family, education, and every little thing that shaped who they became.

Matthew would never toss a few grand at Natasha and call it a day, because Natasha's worth far exceeded that ...

Adriana was never meant to play in their world. Funny how she once thought she meant even a little something to Matthew.

What a joke.

...

Back at her apartment, Adriana listed the bag on a resale site. The bag was brand new, priced slightly lower, and was easy to sell.

Once the money came in, she'd transfer it straight to the orphanage director's account.

The kids still didn't have proper winter clothes. Forty grand would be enough to get them through the season.

After a hot shower, Adriana stood by the clothing rack, naked, picking out what to wear for tomorrow's meeting with Curtis.

The door opened. Without warning or calling first, Matthew walked in.

Startled, Adriana instinctively grabbed a towel to cover herself. "Mr. Langford ... "

"You quit?" Matthew frowned, carrying a bag of cheap fruit he'd grabbed from the market downstairs.

He never showed up empty-handed, but it was always small stuff—mini cakes, a few fruits, a simple bouquet.

"Yeah." Adriana nodded. This apartment was his rental anyway. His coming and going was normal.

"Don't worry about Mia. I've got it handled." He pinched her cheek lightly, pulled her onto the bed, and spoke in an unusually gentle voice. "Still hurts?"

Adriana lowered her gaze and shook her head.

"I already spoke to HR. Your resignation's canceled. Just take a few days off and come back whenever you want," he said.

It sounded like kindness, a gesture of leniency, a privilege.

But Adriana felt uneasy. He always made it feel like he was giving her a handout, pitying her from above.

Honestly, it had always been. Ever since he found out his sister led those girls who stripped and humiliated her in college, Matthew had been helping her, probably just to make himself feel better.

"You're getting married ... right?" Adriana took a deep breath, forcing the words out.

Matthew went quiet. He didn't answer.

Adriana smiled through the sting in her eyes. "I won't go back to the company. I'll move out soon too. Matthew ... let's end this. Best wishes to you and Ms. Jones."

She still had her pride. She wasn't going to be the mistress.

Matthew frowned, clearly annoyed. "Are you picking a fight with me?"

Adriana gave a weak smile as she replied, "No ... "

He pulled her into his arms, like he was calming a tantrum. "Stay here for now. We'll talk when the wedding actually happens."

His tone was casual, like none of this should hurt.

Maybe, from the start, he never really saw her as a person.

"About that car accident ... Natasha was scared. She felt bad for not checking on you." As he spoke, his hand slid along her slim waist—he always liked her perfect figure.

At 19, she wasn't like this. Back then, she was still underdeveloped from years of poor nutrition. It was Matthew who took her in and made sure she finally ate real meals instead of surviving on water, plain loaf, and leftovers.

"Tomorrow night, Natasha's hosting a family dinner. A few friends are coming, and I plan to propose to her at home. Come early and help out."

He tugged the towel from her body, his hands already moving, his breath warm against her neck.

Adriana thought he was downright cruel.

At his core, he and his sister were exactly the same.

Had Natasha not satisfied him during all those days in Neocoralis?

"I'm not going ... " Adriana said, pushing him off and grabbing the towel from the floor. Her stomach churned.

She had a meeting with Curtis tomorrow night anyway.

"If you don't show up, she'll get suspicious." Matthew's tone turned cold. This was the first time Adriana ever pushed him away. "She's divorced and a bit sensitive. I don't want her getting any ideas about us."

"You propose, and you want me to help your future wife ... Matthew, how are you any better than Mia? Why are you being so cruel to me?" Adriana's voice was hoarse. She couldn't hold back her emotions.

She wasn't going to hold it in anymore.

Matthew's face darkened. He stared at her. "Still saying you're not picking a fight?"

Adriana could barely breathe. What she wanted, Matthew would never give.

"Even if I don't marry Natasha, I'll marry someone else. Perhaps it's the daughter of the Cohens, or the daughter of the Hawthornes, but it will never be you. Got it?"

He couldn't have made it any clearer.

Adriana didn't have a family. She was never a match.

For someone like Matthew, pedigree meant everything. Taking her in back then was already the wildest thing he'd ever done.

He was never going to give her a title.

Adriana let out a bitter laugh. "I never expected you to marry me. I'm not stupid ... I always knew this would end."

"Adriana, you're an adult. Be realistic. As long as you behave, when this ends, I won't leave you empty-handed. Pick any house in Haldoria. I'll give you the car, the money—whatever you want." Matthew stood up and stepped closer. "Be here early tomorrow."

"I want to get married too, Matthew." Her voice was numb.

Matthew paused mid-step, turning back to look at her.

"I'm serious," she said, lifting her head. Tears spilled down her face.

"Get some rest. I'll pretend you're just throwing a tantrum. When you're really ready to end this and settle down, let me know. I'll find you a decent guy from the company. Middle-class, promising." His tone was generous, then he turned and left.

He was sure someone like her couldn't find a better man.

He'd been patient enough.

He could give her anything—except marriage and a name.

Adriana smiled bitterly, collapsing to the floor.

He had slept with her for four years. Now that he was done, he wanted to marry her off to some controllable nobody.

Controlling her now. Controlling who she marries later.

He really was cruel. So ridiculous.

But it didn't matter. Tonight, she was meeting Curtis. Even Matthew wouldn't dare mess with him. If she married Curtis, everything would finally be over.

...

The next day, Clarke Residence No. 1.

All of Haldoria's billion-dollar mansions were developed by Harborton Clarke Estates. Matthew's house, Curtis's Clarke Residence—all top-tier.

Adriana had been to Matthew's house before. As his assistant intern, she'd picked him up here plenty of times. But every visit made her uneasy.

Maybe because she was an orphan, Adriana had always been obsessed with the idea of home.

Matthew kept her in an upscale apartment—one of the best in Haldoria—but that wasn't home.

It was a gilded cage, a place to keep her.

His real home was here. And she'd never belong.

"Anna is here." Natasha greeted her with a smile as she walked in.

She stood there, completely at ease, looking every bit like the lady of the house.

Adriana had once wondered, too, what it would be like to marry Matthew, to stand here as the lady of this house.

But even thinking about it felt ridiculous. She never belonged in a place like this.

"Natasha, this is for you."

Adriana handed over a gift—some homemade cookies.

She used to bake them for the kids at the orphanage. Worthless in money, but filled with sincerity.

Honestly, no gift she brought would mean anything in Natasha's world anyway.

Natasha smiled, opened the box, and glanced back at Matthew. "Matthew, I think I see these same cookies in your car."

Matthew's expression darkened. The mood in the room instantly dropped.

He probably thought Adriana brought the cookies on purpose, to provoke Natasha. He was pissed.

But Adriana really had no idea which car he'd put them in.

"Oh, actually, Mr. Langford has been busy and skipping breakfast. I made extras, so I left some at his office ... " she rushed to explain, her fingers stiffening from nerves.

Her physical symptoms were acting up again—the psychosomatic side of her depression was getting worse.

"It seems like Matthew really likes your cookies, Anna. He even keeps them in the car." Natasha smiled sweetly at Matthew. Her voice was always soft, yet as sharp as a blade. Like she was hinting at something.

Adriana kept her head down. The more she said, the more mistakes she made. Matthew would just think she was doing it on purpose.

"I don't like them," Matthew said flatly. "Probably threw them out; Felix must've dug them out of the trash and left them in the car."

Felix Caillet—his driver and assistant—was a convenient scapegoat.

Adriana stiffened. Trash. So, the cookies she woke up at dawn to bake, burning her hands full of blisters—to him, they were just trash.

He was really sending a message.

Natasha smiled gently and handed her a pair of disposable slippers. "Relax. Let me introduce you to my friends."

Adriana got the disposable slippers, while everyone else in the house had proper ones prepared.

That meant Natasha only planned to have her over once.

Matthew once told Adriana that Natasha was sensitive due to her previous divorce. But he didn't know—Adriana was even more fragile.

She was an orphan. She grew up in an orphanage, and reading people was how she survived.

Matthew clearly noticed the difference in the slippers but said nothing. His silence was permission.

A silent permission that she'd only ever be a guest here—once.

"Let me introduce you. This is Matthew's assistant. She's cute, right?" Natasha said as she led her into the living room.

Adriana forced herself to lift her head and smile. But the moment she got a clear look at the people in front of her, it felt like she'd fallen into a frozen lake.

Six people sat in the living room ...

Three of them were her college classmates, the ones who had bullied her for years.

Mia, Rufus Jones, Camelia Meyer ...

Her body froze. She couldn't stop shaking and glanced at Matthew, desperate for help.

Maybe Natasha didn't know her past. But didn't Matthew?

He knew Natasha had invited them. Yet he still forced Adriana to come.

Did he want her dead?