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.

“But keep wasting time, and

his

expression

swallowed hard and started walking toward the doors, my knees

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

hurt?” I asked,

No answer.

hands balled 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 stay strong…for Ethan

off the metal walls. My heart

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

here,” he

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

his arms crossed,

to keep my breathing steady, my eyes darting around the

dragged on like hours, and I felt a tear slip down my cheek. I wiped

his weight, and I could feel his presence like a

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

I wasn’t already too

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

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

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

stepping into the fluctuating light. My stomach

2/5

Chapter 169

shaken I was. And it had disbelief laced with the raw panic

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

with a chilling edge. He stopped a few feet away, tucking his hands

breath caught in my throat, and my knees threatened to give out beneath me. Rage and terror surged through

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

reaction.

easily, did you?” he said, his tone as smooth as silk but

the realization slamming into me like a freight

cracking as tears spilled down my face. “What have

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

slightly. The man in

hurt them…” I started, but

his

I’d stoop so low? They’re your kids. Your precious little

ant?”

and the rom spun. I wanted to scream,

His presence, his

spat, my

where they were, but

me what you want. The fact remains….you’re here. And now, we can

spine. Whatever he wanted, whatever his twisted game

waste time, Christiana,” he

For the first time

and fury. “What is

vulnerable. “Do you know what it’s like to

tone. “What are you talking about?”

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

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