Chapter 25%
Pain. A dull, pounding ache at the back of my head pulled me from unconsciousness. My body felt heavy, weak, as if I had been drugged. My arms were numb, the tight grip of rope digging into my wrists.
I blinked, forcing my eyes to adjust to the dimly lit room. This wasn’t a warehouse.
A house. Expensive furniture. A chandelier. Floral–patterned wallpaper.
But I didn’t recognize it. Panic swelled in my chest as I struggled against my restraints. My ankles were tied together, my wrists bound behind the wooden chair I was sitting in.
I tried to think, to piece together how I got here. Then it hit me–the hospital.
Ryan. The baby. I had woken up alone, my arms reaching out for my child–only to find an empty space.
Ryan had taken him. I had called him over and over but there was no answer. I didn’t care what it took–I needed to see my baby. I had to. So I made a decision. I was going back home to Ryan.
Even if it meant swallowing my pride. Even if it meant making a deal. I would beg if I had to–just to see my child again. But the moment I stepped out of the hospital doors, a black SUV pulled up beside me.
I barely had time to react before strong hands grabbed me, muffling my scream with a cloth over my mouth.
Then–darkness.
My heart pounded as the realization set in. I had been kidnapped. A sharp creak made me snap back to the present.
The door opened. Yanna.
She sauntered in, a twisted smirk curving her lips as she crossed her arms.
“Well, well, well. Look who’s finally awake.“}]
My stomach twisted.
“Yanna,” I hissed. “What the hell is this? Let me go!”
She chuckled, tilting her head. “Oh, Kylie. Did you really think you’d escape unscathed? That you could just ruin my life and walk away?“}}
I glared at her. “You ruined your own life when you lied about Jack’s baby.”
Her smile faltered for a second before she scoffed. “And because of you, I lost everything. My engagement, my place in this family–my child.”
A cold chill ran through me.}]
“Now, you’re going to lose yours.”
My entire body went rigid.
My breath caught in my throat. “What?“M
She leaned in. “While Ryan is busy searching for you, your baby–won’t be there when he returns.“}]
A sharp pain stabbed through my chest. No. No, no, no.
I thrashed against the ropes, ignoring the burning pain in my wrists. “Yanna, please–don’t do this! He’s just a baby! He has nothing to do with this!”
Yanna’s eyes flashed with something wicked. “Neither did my child.”
“Yanna, please,” I begged, my voice cracking. “Don’t hurt him. You want reverige? Take it out on me. Not my son.”
She studied me for a moment, then let out a cruel laugh.
“Oh, Kylie.” She stood straight, flipping her blonde hair over her shoulder. “It’s already done.“}]
The words shattered me. Tears blurred my vision. My entire body trembled as I shook my head. “No… no, you’re lying. You’re lying!”
A deep, familiar voice echoed from the hallway.”
“She’s not lying.”
My head snapped up. Jack. Of course, it was Jack. I never thought about it but it was indeed too easy for Jack to give up after what happened. And this was their plan, to attack on our lowest.”
He stepped into the room, arms crossed, a smug look plastered on his face.
I couldn’t breathe.
“You,” I spat, eyes burning with hatred. “I should’ve known you’d be involved.“}]
Jack smirked. “Of course. Did you really think I’d let Ryan take everything from me?” He let out a bitter laugh. “No, darling. This is just the beginning.”
Yanna perched on the edge of the desk, picking at her nails. “See, while Ryan is out there searching for you, we’ll be ruining him. Taking his company. His future. Everything.“W
Jack grinned. “And by the time he finds you, it’ll be too late.“}
I clenched my fists. “You won’t get away with this.”
Yanna leaned in close, whispering in my ear. “Watch us.”
Then they left, locking the door behind them. I sat frozen, the weight of their words crushing me. Then something inside me snapped. I wasn’t going to sit here and let them win. I needed to get out. Now.
3.38 PM
I scanned the room, my pulse pounding. The ropes cut deep into my skin, but I ignored the pain, twisting my wrists again and again until I felt the knots loosen just slightly.
Come on, come on… Snap.
The rope gave way. I quickly untied my ankles and bolted toward the door–locked.
Shit. I turned, eyes darting across the room. Think, Kylie.
Then I saw it–a small, decorative iron candleholder on the nightstand.
Heavy enough. Sharp enough. I grabbed it, gripping it tightly in my hands, and positioned myself near the door.
My heart pounded. One shot. One chance.
I waited, listening. Footsteps. Getting closer. I braced myself. The door swung open.
Yanna. I didn’t think. I swung. The candleholder slammed into her skull. She stumbled back, cursing in pain, and I didn’t hesitate. I ran. Down the hallway. Past the living room. Toward the front door-
Gunshots erupted. I ducked, heart racing, as the sound of bullets rang through the house.
My lungs burned as I sprinted toward the nearest exit. Another shot fired–glass shattered. Chaos exploded all around me.
I heard voices–angry, frantic.
Then-
“Kylie!”
My heart stopped.
My
That voice.
Ryan. He found me.
But before I could go to him, I felt the bullet in my skin and all I could see was darkness.
