The man's curt words and the tension in his body made it suddenly, horribly clear

to Anastasia what was about to happen.

In that instant, her world seemed to collapse into darkness.

Someone was here to ruin her-completely, irreversibly.

But she knew, almost by instinct, this wasn't Asher's doing. If Asher wanted the

chip, he wouldn't take this risk, not in such a brazen way. He was too careful-a

guy who knew how to disappear the second things got messy. Besides, these

men hadn't mentioned the chip at all.

Anastasia screamed for help, her voice bouncing off grimy walls, but it was like

one of those nightmares where you shout and nothing happens. No one heard.

No one was coming.

She was helpless a lamb led to slaughter.

Not even when Harmon had kidnapped her had she been this scared.

With no way out, she started bargaining. "Please, let me go. I'll give you anything

-money, whatever you want!"

Pride and dignity didn't matter anymore. All that mattered was survival.

She understood, deep down, if these men did what they wanted, her life would be

shattered forever.

"Save your energy for later," the man said, voice flat and cold.

No taunting, no threats-just the cold, hard truth.

"Who sent you?" Anastasia croaked, her throat raw. "If you're going to kill me, at

least tell me why."

"You don't need to know," he answered. "Just cooperate. We'll take some pictures

we did the job, then we're gone.

sure you don't forget

giving nothing away. To be sure she stayed

down her

and useless, a

whatever they'd made her

but hands pinned her

her as they

in and out, reality mixing

let me go... please..."

a camera's

sick certainty,

faded. The world spun. She couldn't tell what was

nightmare.

or hours, she had no idea. Maybe

heard a voice: "Anastasia, run! Snap out of it!

me-just run!"

She couldn't be sure. The world was a blur of

and tearing voices.

voice: "Anastasia, don't be scared, it's

I'm so sorry I'm

Herman was crying.

Why was he crying?

blacked out, wishing she would

if she never opened her eyes again, reality

hour, word of her disappearance hit the news.

started cropping up

as

was suddenly

storm. Rumors flew-everyone

talking about the Elysian

Technologies boss's wife missing

and what

happened in that time.

grew, twisted, and spread

wake up

she finally did,

from

memories crashed over her,

raw. She broke

howling in grief.

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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