Chapter 169

Christiana’s POV.

The sound of gravel crunching beneath someone’s boots sent a jolt of fear through me. My chest tightened as I clutched my coat, trying to keep the shivers from taking over. The wind felt colder now, biting against my skin. A shadow moved from the trees, and a figure stepped into the faint light coming from my car’s headlights.

He was wearing a mask. Black, featureless, and terrifying.

“Are you alone?” the man asked, his voice muffled and low.

“Yes,” I choked out, my voice trembling. My hands were clammy and my legs felt like they would give out at any second. “I’m alone. Please… I just want my kids.”

The man didn’t respond. He stepped closer, his movements slow and deliberate, like he was in no rush. My breathing quickened as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of black fabric.

“Turn around,” he ordered.

I froze, my feet rooted to the spot.

“Turn around,” he repeated, this time sharper.

My hands shook as I obeyed, turning my back to him. The next thing I knew, the fabric was wrapped around my eyes, plunging me into darkness. My heart raced as I felt his gloved hands tie the blindfold tightly behind my head.

“Where are you taking me?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

“You’ll see,” he said, his tone flat and emotionless.

I wanted to scream, to demand answers, but the thought of my kids kept me silent.

“Walk,” he instructed, placing a firm hand on my shoulder.

I stumbled forward, the ground uneven beneath my feet. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and something metallic I couldn’t place. The man guided me to what felt like a car, opening the door and gently pushing me inside.

“Sit,” he said.

I slid into the seat, my hands gripping the edge as I tried to steady my breathing. The door slammed shut behind me, and a moment later, the car started.

The drive felt endless. I had no idea where we were going, and the blindfold only made it worse. My mind raced with every horrible possibility. Were Ethan and Emma okay? Were they here? Were they….

No. I couldn’t let myself think like that.

I clenched my fists, trying to focus on the hum of the engine and the occasional turns the car made. My stomach churned with every bump in the road, and the tension in my chest grew Heavier with each passing second.

Finally, after what felt like an hour, the car came to a stop.

The door opened, and I felt a hand grip my arm, pulling me our My legs wobbled as I stood the cold air hitting me agan.

Take her inside a voice said, but it wasn’t the same man.

The blindfold was yanked off, and I blinked against the sudden light in front of me was a massive warehouse, its mela

doors looming like a giant mouth waiting to swallow me whole. The man in the mask stood beside me, unreadable beneath the dark cover.

“Move,” he said, nodding toward the entrance.

I hesitated, my feet refusing to move.

“Where are my kids?” I demanded, my voice breaking.

keep wasting time,

his

expression

swallowed hard and started walking toward the doors, my

smell that clung to the back of your throat. The man walked behind me, his presence looming, and I could feel his eyes on me even though he

I asked, my voice

No answer.

lip, fighting the tears that threatened to spill over. I couldn’t lose it now. I

footsteps echoing off the metal walls. My heart was pounding so hard

the large, empty space. The room was dimly lit by a single overhead light that flickered every few

here,” he said, stepping

I spoke. “Please, just let me see

his arms crossed, the mask hiding any trace of

I struggled to keep my breathing steady, my

felt a tear slip down my cheek. I wiped it away quickly, not wanting to show weakness, even though I

the masked man shifted his weight, and I could feel his presence like

behind this, whatever they wanted, I would face it.

hoped I wasn’t already

space, breaking the suffocating silence. My head snapped toward the direction of the noise, my heart hammering so loudly it drowned out

floor. The man in the mask stood perfectly still behind me, his arms crossed like he

anxiety through me. My breathing quickened, my chest rising and falling as I

darkness, stepping into the fluctuating light.

2/5

Chapter 169

whispered, the slight tremble in my voice giving out how shaken I was. And it had disbelief laced

smug curve of his lips I had come to recognize all too well. He was dressed sharply, as always, his suit designed to perfection, but there was a darkness in his eyes that made

He stopped a few feet away, tucking his hands casually into his pockets

Rage and terror surged through my veins, but all I could manage was

didn’t reach his eyes. Those cold, calculating eyes stayed locked on me, studying

reaction.

didn’t think I’d let you off that easily, did you?” he

into me like a

are my children?” I demanded, my voice cracking as tears

head slightly, as if amused by my outburst. “Relax,” he said, his voice maddeningly calm. “Your kids

sent a wave of nausea through me, and I felt my legs buckle slightly. The man in the mask shifted behind me, presence looming, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away from

started, but Daniel cut me off with

his

mockingly. “Christiana, do you really think I’d stoop so low? They’re your kids. Your precious little bundles of joy.

ant?”

I wanted to scream, to

move. His presence, his words, froze

a monster,” I spat, my

where they

“Call me what you want. The fact remains….you’re here. And now,

twisted game was, I knew one thing for certain: I

Let’s not waste time, Christiana,” he said, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.

stared at him, my body trembling as dread clawed its way up my throat, For

my sides, trembling with fear and fury. “What is

step toward me. His expression shifted, his smirk fading into something more serious, almost vulnerable. “Do you know what it’s like to give someone your heart, only for them to shatter

the sudden change in his tone. “What are you

Christiana. With everything inside of me, I loved you,” he said, his voice soft but laced

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