I Ran From My Psycho Step-brother Straight Into The Alpha's Lap novel Chapter 125

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**When Night Grows Softer Hope Returns To Lead Us by Asa Rowan Finn**
**Chapter 125**

When Talya finally stirred from her slumber, the heaviness that enveloped her was both comforting and disconcerting. As she blinked against the dim light filtering through the car window, she realized that she was resting on Liam’s arm—his muscular limb draped protectively across her body, a remnant of the earlier moments when he had restrained her. She turned her head slightly to catch a glimpse of him.

Liam, sensing her movement, shifted his gaze towards her. Slowly, almost reluctantly, he withdrew his arm, and Talya felt a twinge of guilt. She imagined his arm was numb, perhaps even tingling from being trapped in that position for so long. A quick glance at the clock on the dashboard revealed the time: past midnight. They had been traveling for nearly five hours, and a multitude of questions swirled in her mind—where were they headed, and when would they finally take a break? But the anger bubbling beneath the surface made her hesitate. She bit her tongue, opting to direct her attention to the passing scenery outside the window instead.

“I’m sorry, Talya,” Liam’s voice broke the silence, soft and uncharacteristically vulnerable.

She chose not to respond, instead searching her pockets in vain for her phone. The familiar weight was absent, and panic began to creep in. She scanned the interior of the car, her heart sinking when she realized her purse was also missing. Defeated, she closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the seat. Without her wallet, her license, and now her phone—she felt utterly stranded.

Her grandparents would manage until morning, she reassured herself, but she desperately needed to find a way to reach out to them, to concoct a story that would keep them from worrying. And then there was Sage, who would undoubtedly be fretting about her whereabouts. Talya needed to contact her before the thought of calling the police crossed anyone’s mind. The idea of involving law enforcement was becoming increasingly appealing, given her current predicament.

Stealing a glance at the gas gauge, her heart sank further. It was nearly full, indicating that Liam had likely refueled while she was asleep. There went her flimsy plan of escape.

“Are you hungry?” Liam’s voice broke through her thoughts again. “I grabbed a sandwich for you when we stopped.”

Talya remained silent, feeling a wall of resentment build between them. She had nothing to say to him, not after everything that had transpired.

“Are you just going to ignore me all night?” he pressed, and she could feel his gaze lingering on her, but she refused to meet his eyes.

“I’m not ignoring you,” she finally replied, her voice steady yet cold. “I just don’t have anything to say to you.” The quietness enveloped them once more, and Liam turned on the radio, filling the space with static noise.

The next five hours felt like an eternity. Talya drifted in and out of a restless sleep, her mind a whirlpool of thoughts and anxieties. Liam remained silent, his focus unwavering on the road. He didn’t stop for gas, coffee, or even a snack; he was relentless, like a machine programmed to drive. Talya straightened her posture when he finally took an exit just after five in the morning, a flicker of hope igniting within her.

A few minutes later, he pulled into a gas station. “Want anything?” he asked, his tone casual.

Talya shook her head, a mix of determination and anxiety coursing through her. As he exited the car to fill the tank, she kept a watchful eye on him. If he stepped inside the convenience store, it would be her chance to make a break for it. She held her breath as he pumped the gas, her heart racing with anticipation. But as soon as he finished, he slid back into the driver’s seat, and her chance evaporated into thin air. Frustration washed over her like a cold wave.