Chapter 1

The abandoned factory was choked with weeds, its crumbling walls looming over a battered red sedan parked just outside the entrance.

Inside, Isadora Vaughan's hands were bound tightly behind her back, and her lips -painted a deep rose-were sealed with a strip of yellow duct tape. All she could manage were muffled, desperate whimpers.

Her white dress was streaked with dirt from the grimy floor, exposing a pair of pale, slender legs.

A kidnapper, face obscured by a grotesque mask, crouched in front of her. His voice was gravelly and distorted.

"Miss Vaughan, you're Magnus Wainwright's fiancée. Three million dollars should be pocket change to him. All right-call him yourself."

He tossed an old cell phone at her feet. Then, with a harsh rip, he tore the tape from her mouth and untied her wrists.

A sharp knife pressed coldly against her neck.

Ringing. The line connected after what felt like an eternity.

A man's deep, crisp voice rang out, "Hello?"

Isadora trembled so hard she could barely keep hold of the phone.

"Magnus, I—I've been kidnapped. They want three million in ransom. Please... can you come save me?"

off guard. But when he

told you-Elise is sick. Her dying wish was to

did Isadora remember-the wedding

Harrison. Magnus's one true

last wish was to walk down the aisle with the man

when she learned Magnus had agreed

though he couldn't see her. "No, this time—I'm not making a scene.

emotionless, every word like a blade of

in

once? My patience is running out, and you've crossed the

care if I live

broke as she bit back tears. "If you don't come

Magnus frowned, impatience flaring.

The breakup threat. Again?

can't you just let

He was fed up.

snatched the

for this woman.

in an immaculate white suit, phone in hand. Across from him, Elise stood in a wedding gown,

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