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 time, and you’ll

his

expression

down my spine. I swallowed hard

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

hurt?” I asked, my voice

No answer.

I bit down hard on my bottom lip, fighting the tears that

footsteps echoing off the metal walls. My heart was pounding

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

he said,

turned to face him, my voice trembling as I spoke. “Please, just

there, his arms crossed, the mask hiding any

chest heaved as I struggled to keep my breathing steady, my eyes darting around the

my cheek. I

his weight, and I could feel his presence like a shadow looming

into my palms. Whoever was behind this, whatever they wanted, I would face it. For my kids, I would

hoped I wasn’t

breaking the suffocating silence. My head snapped

clenched my fists, swallowing hard, my pulse racing as I watched a shadow stretch across the floor. The man in

unhurried, each one sending a jolt of anxiety through me. My breathing quickened, my chest rising and falling as I fought

from the darkness, stepping into

2/5

Chapter 169

how shaken I was. And it had disbelief laced with

too well. He was dressed sharply, as always,

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 a shaky,

smile widened, but it didn’t reach his eyes. Those cold, calculating

reaction.

didn’t think I’d let you off that easily, did you?” he said, his tone as smooth as

realization slamming into me like a

are my children?” I demanded, my voice cracking as tears spilled down my face.

if amused by my outburst. “Relax,” he

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

them…” I started, but Daniel cut me off

his

them?” he repeated mockingly. “Christiana, do you really think I’d stoop so low? They’re your kids. Your precious little bundles of joy. Why would I harm them when I can use them to get exactly

ant?”

tightened and the rom spun. I wanted to scream, to charge at him,

his words,

I spat, my

where

my insult. “Call me what you want. The fact remains….you’re here. And now, we can have a nice little

twisted game was, I knew one thing for certain: I wasn’t leaving without

studied me. Let’s not waste time, Christiana,” he said, his voice dropping to

him, my body trembling as dread clawed its way up my throat, For the first time in my life, I wasn’t sure I’d

sides, trembling with fear and fury. “What is this about, Daniel? Why are you doing

shifted, his smirk fading into something more serious, almost vulnerable. “Do you know what it’s like to give someone

stunned by the sudden change in his tone. “What are you talking about?” I whispered,

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

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