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.

replied coldly. “But keep wasting time, and

his

expression

I swallowed hard and started walking toward the doors, my knees nearly buckling with every

warehouse smelled 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

they hurt?” I asked,

No answer.

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

footsteps echoing off the metal walls. My heart

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

here,” he said,

to face him, my voice trembling as I spoke. “Please, just let me see

stood there, his arms crossed, the mask hiding any trace of

keep my breathing steady, my eyes darting around

and I felt a tear slip down my cheek. I wiped it away quickly,

I

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

I

the empty space, breaking the suffocating silence. My head snapped

pulse racing as I watched a shadow stretch across the floor. The man in the mask stood perfectly still behind me, his arms

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

darkness, stepping into

2/5

Chapter 169

voice giving out how shaken I was. And it had

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

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

my knees threatened to give out beneath me. Rage and terror surged through my veins, but all I

Those

reaction.

think I’d let you off that easily, did you?” he said, his tone as smooth as

like a

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

amused by my outburst.

my legs buckle slightly. The man in the mask shifted behind me, presence looming, but I couldn’t

you’ve hurt them…” I started, but Daniel cut

his

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

ant?”

rom spun. I wanted to scream,

move. His presence, his words, froze

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 chat about what

chill down my spine. Whatever he wanted, whatever his twisted

Let’s not waste time, Christiana,”

trembling as dread clawed its way up my throat, For the first

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

serious, almost vulnerable. “Do you know

tone. “What are you talking about?” I

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 always

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