CHAPTER 2

They went to doctor's appointments, talked to lawyers, and even took a birthing class.

Emily was surprised at how well they got along. Ethan was funny and charming, and he made her feel special. 

They even went on a few dates, something that wasn't required in the contract but that Ethan insisted on.

But just as Emily was starting to feel comfortable in her new life, things took a dark turn. One night, as she was walking home from the office, she noticed a car following her. She quickened her pace, but the car kept getting closer. Suddenly, someone grabbed her from behind, and she felt a sharp pain in her neck.

The next thing Emily knew, she was lying on the ground, dazed and confused. She tried to get up, but her body felt heavy, and her head was pounding. As she looked around, she realized she was in an unfamiliar place, a dark and dingy room with no windows.

"Welcome to your new home, Emily," a voice said from the shadows.

Emily recognized the voice immediately. It was Ethan's. But it was different, colder, and more menacing.

"What's going on?" Emily asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

"I'm sorry, Emily," Ethan said, stepping out of the shadows. "But I had no choice. You see, I have enemies, people who want to take me down, and they're always looking for ways to hurt me. When I came up with the idea of the contract marriage, I knew it was risky, but I thought I could control the situation. I never imagined it would come to this."

"What are you talking about?" Emily asked 

"I made a deal with someone, someone who has a lot of power and influence," Ethan said, his voice low and serious. "They agreed to leave me alone if I gave them something they wanted. And that something was you, Emily. They wanted to use you as leverage against me, and I had no choice but to agree. I'm sorry, I never wanted it to come to this."

Emily's heart sank as she realized the gravity of the situation. She had been used as a pawn in a dangerous game, and now she was trapped with no way out.

"What are you going to do to me?" Emily asked, her voice shaking.

"I don't know yet," Ethan said, his expression grim. "But I promise you, I won't let anyone hurt you. You're under my protection now."

Emily wasn't sure if she could trust Ethan anymore, but she had no choice. She was at his mercy, and she had to hope that he would keep his word.

Days turned into weeks, and Emily lost track of time in the small, windowless room where she was being held captive. Ethan brought her food and water, and he would occasionally visit her to talk, but she never felt safe around him anymore. He had become distant and cold, and she could see the guilt and pain in his eyes.

One day, when Ethan came to visit her, Emily noticed a small key dangling from his pocket. It was the key to the door that kept her trapped.

"Please, Ethan, let me go," Emily begged. "I won't tell anyone, I promise. Just let me leave, and I'll disappear. You'll never have to see me again."

Ethan hesitated, his eyes flickering with emotion. Emily could see the internal struggle he was going through, torn between his loyalty to his enemies and his growing feelings for her.

"I can't, Emily," Ethan said finally, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry. But I'll make sure you're safe. I'll do whatever it takes to protect you."

Emily knew then that she had to take matters into her own hands. She waited until Ethan had left and then searched the room for anything she could use to escape. She found a rusty nail and started scratching at the lock, determined to break free.

It took her hours, but finally, the lock gave way, and the door creaked open. Emily stepped out into the hallway, her heart pounding with fear and excitement. She had no idea where she was or how to get out, but she knew she had to keep moving.

As she walked down the hallway, she heard footsteps behind her. She turned around and saw Ethan, his face twisted with anger and betrayal.

"I trusted you, Emily," Ethan said, his voice shaking with emotion. "And you betrayed me. You'll never leave this place alive."

Emily ran, her heart racing with fear. She had no idea where she was going, but she knew she had to find a way out. She turned a corner and ran smack into a tall, muscular man.

"Where do you think you're going?" the man growled, grabbing Emily by the arm.

Emily struggled, but the man was too strong. She felt a prick in her arm and then everything went black.

When Emily woke up, she was in a different room, this one more luxurious than the one she had been in before. She was lying on a soft bed, and there were fresh flowers on the bedside table.

"Good morning, Emily," a voice said from the corner of the room.

Emily sat up, her head pounding. She recognized the voice immediately.

"Hello, Ethan," Emily said, her voice trembling with anger and fear. "What have you done to me?"

"I had to bring you here, Emily," Ethan said, his voice full of regret. "I had no other choice. But I promise you, I'll keep you safe. I won't let anyone hurt you."

Emily shook her head in disbelief. She couldn't believe that Ethan had done this to her, that he had lied to her, betrayed her, and then kidnapped her.

"Why are you doing this?" Emily demanded. "What do they want from me?"

Ethan hesitated, his eyes darting around the room.

"I can't tell you everything, Emily," Ethan said finally. "But there are powerful people who want to use you as leverage against me. And I can't let that happen."

Emily stared at Ethan, her mind racing. She had to find a way out, to escape this nightmare and get back to her life.

"I need to go home, Ethan," Emily said firmly. "I can't stay here. I have a family, a job, a life. Please, let me go."

Ethan's expression softened, and Emily could see the pain and guilt in his eyes.

"I wish I could, Emily," Ethan said, his voice full of regret. "But I can't risk it. I promise you, I'll make sure you're safe. I'll do everything in my power to protect you."

Emily knew then that she had to take matters into her own hands. She waited until Ethan had left the room and then searched for anything she could use to escape. She found a small, sharp object and started scratching at the ropes that bound her hands.

It took her hours, but finally, the ropes gave way, and Emily stood up, her heart pounding with fear and excitement. She walked over to the window and looked out, hoping to see a way out.

But all she saw was a vast, sprawling city, with no visible escape route. She was trapped, in a luxurious prison, with no way out.

Suddenly, the door burst open, and two large men entered the room, their faces grim and determined.

"Come with us, Emily," one of the men growled. "We have orders to take you somewhere safe."

Emily knew that she had no choice. She had to trust these men, whoever they were, and hope that they would help her escape this nightmare.

As she followed them out of the room, she heard Ethan's voice in the distance, calling out her name.

"Emily!" Ethan shouted. "Don't leave! I can explain everything!"

But Emily didn't stop. She kept walking, determined to escape this web of lies, deceit, and betrayal. She had no idea where she was going or who these men were, but she knew that she had to keep moving, to keep fighting, to stay alive.

The men led her through a maze of corridors, each one looking the same as the last. Emily had no idea where they were taking her or what they had planned for her. Her heart was racing, and her mind was filled with thoughts of escape and survival.

Suddenly, they stopped in front of a large metal door. One of the men punched in a code, and the door slid open with a hiss. Emily was ushered inside, and the door closed behind her.

The room was dimly lit, with a single chair in the center. Emily hesitated for a moment, then walked over and sat down. She knew that she was in the hands of dangerous people, and she had to be careful.

Suddenly, the door opened again, and a man walked in. He was tall, with broad shoulders and piercing blue eyes. He walked over to Emily and looked at her for a moment, his expression unreadable.

"Who are you?" Emily demanded, her voice shaking slightly.

The man ignored her question and instead asked, "Do you know why you're here, Emily?"

Emily shook her head, her heart pounding in her chest.

"You're here because of Ethan," the man said. "He's involved in something big, something dangerous. And we need your help to bring him down."

Emily stared at the man, her mind racing. She didn't know what to believe anymore. Ethan had always been kind to her, caring and thoughtful. She couldn't believe that he could be involved in anything dangerous or illegal.

"What do you want from me?" Emily asked.

"We want you to help us bring Ethan down," the man said. "You're the key to our plan. Without you, we can't get to him."

Emily didn't know what to do. She was scared and confused. She didn't want to be involved in any of this. All she wanted was to go home and forget everything that had happened.

The man seemed to sense her fear and leaned in closer. "We can protect you, Emily," he said. "We can keep you safe. But you have to help us."

Emily hesitated for a moment, then nodded. She didn't have a choice. She had to do whatever it takes to stay alive.

The man smiled, then got up and walked to the door. "Good," he said. "We'll start training you tomorrow. Get some rest."

Emily watched as the door closed behind him, her mind racing. She had no idea what she had just agreed to, but she knew that it was going to be dangerous. She had to stay strong and focused if she wanted to survive.

The next few days were a blur of training and preparation. Emily learned how to fight, how to use a gun, and how to blend in with a crowd. She had never been so scared or so focused in her life. She didn't know what was going to happen, but she knew that she had to be ready for anything.

One day, as Emily was walking down the hall, she saw Ethan. He looked different, tired and scared. Emily ran up to him and hugged him tightly.

"Ethan, what's going on?" she whispered.

"I'm sorry, Emily," Ethan said, tears in his eyes. "I never wanted any of this to happen. I'll make it right, I promise."

Emily didn't know what to say. She was confused and scared, and she didn't know who to trust anymore.

Suddenly, the door burst open, and the man from before walked in.

"Time to go, Emily," he said.

Emily looked at Ethan, then back at the man. She didn't know what to do, but she knew that she had to stay strong.

As they walked out of the room, Emily could hear Ethan's voice behind her, shouting and pleading for them to let her go. But she knew that it was too late. She was already in too deep.

The man led her to a small plane, and they took off into the sky. Emily's heart was racing as she looked out the window. She had no idea where they were going or what was going to happen next.