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.

he replied coldly. “But keep wasting

his

expression

down my spine. I swallowed hard and started walking toward the doors, my

of rust and oil, the kind of 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

they hurt?” I asked,

No answer.

into fists as I bit down hard on my bottom lip, fighting the tears that threatened to spill over. I couldn’t lose it now. I had to

sound of our footsteps echoing off the metal walls. My heart was

was dimly lit by a single overhead light that

he said,

voice trembling as I spoke. “Please, just

his arms crossed, the mask hiding any trace

was suffocating. My chest heaved as I struggled to keep my breathing steady, my eyes darting around the room, searching for

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

and I could feel

my nails digging into my palms. Whoever was behind this, whatever they wanted,

hoped I wasn’t already

the empty space, breaking the suffocating silence. My head snapped toward the direction of the

my pulse racing as I watched a shadow stretch across the floor. The man in the mask stood

deliberate and unhurried, each one sending a jolt of anxiety through me. My breathing quickened, my chest rising and

from the darkness, stepping

2/5

Chapter 169

slight tremble in my voice giving out how shaken

his lips I had come to recognize all too well. He was dressed sharply, as always, his suit

chilling edge. He stopped a few feet away, tucking his hands casually into his pockets as though this were

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

but it didn’t reach his eyes. Those

reaction.

you?” he said, his tone as smooth as silk but dripping with

into me like a freight train. Daniel was behind

cracking as tears

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

and I felt my legs buckle slightly. The man in the mask shifted behind me, presence looming, but

started, but Daniel cut me

his

stoop so low? They’re your kids. Your precious little bundles of

ant?”

the rom spun. I wanted

his words, froze

monster,” I spat, my

tell me where

by my insult. “Call me what you want. The fact remains….you’re

his twisted game was, I knew one thing for certain: I wasn’t

as he studied me. Let’s not waste time, Christiana,” he said, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “You and I…

as dread clawed its way up my throat, For the first time in my life, I wasn’t sure I’d make it out

clenched into fists at my sides, trembling with fear and fury. “What is this about, Daniel? Why are you doing

slow 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

his tone. “What are you talking about?” I

again. “I loved you, Christiana. With everything inside of me, I loved you,” he said, his voice soft but laced with bitterness. “But you…” He laughed bitterly, shaking his head. “You chose Alex. You

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