chapter 5

Olivia Grace sat quietly in the backyard of her house. The morning breeze gently swayed the loose strands of her hair as they danced freely around her shoulders. In her hands, a cup of warm tea released a calming aroma. For a moment, she closed her eyes, trying to forget all the arguments and doubts clouding her marriage with Hunter Jackson.

But the serenity didn’t last long.

Suddenly, from behind the bushes, a masked man emerged in silence. With swift, practiced movements, he grabbed Olivia from behind, clamping his hand over her mouth. Olivia froze in shock, her body tense. The tea slipped from her hands, spilling onto the grass. She struggled, but it was useless. He was too strong.

“Mmmhh...!” Olivia tried to scream, but her voice was muffled by the rough hand covering her mouth. Her eyes widened in fear.

Seconds later, Olivia's body went limp. She fainted in the arms of her captor. Effortlessly, the man lifted her up and vanished into the trees, leaving behind a steaming teacup and footprints on the damp earth.

---

Meanwhile, Hunter Jackson had just finished an important meeting at his office. During the entire drive home, his mind was consumed with thoughts of mending things with Olivia. His heart ached with guilt and longing. Today, he had resolved to be softer, more honest—to start over and save their crumbling marriage.

But all those hopes shattered the moment he opened the door to their house.

“Olivia?” he called out while removing his blazer.

No answer. The house was eerily quiet.

“What’s wrong, sir?” asked the housemaid, appearing from the hallway.

“Where’s Olivia?” Hunter asked, confusion and concern lacing his voice.

“Miss Olivia left, sir,” she replied hesitantly.

Hunter frowned, then spotted a piece of paper on the living room table. The familiar curve of Olivia’s handwriting was rushed and uneven.

Hunter, I'm tired. I can’t keep living in the shadows of doubt and pain. I’ve chosen to leave. Please don’t look for me. Let’s end this.

His hands trembled as he read the note. His breath caught in his throat.

“No… This can’t be happening… Olivia wouldn’t just leave me like this…” he murmured to himself, disbelief flooding his mind.

Panic crept through his chest. He rushed to the backyard, praying she might be there. But all he found was the spilled, cold tea on the ground.

“Olivia…”

His legs gave out beneath him. He dropped onto the garden bench, staring blankly at the teacup that stood as a silent witness to her disappearance.

“How could you leave me like this, Olivia?” he whispered, grief settling heavily in his chest.

---

Moments later, the doorbell rang. Hunter stood up, still shaken, and opened the door.

Sofia Joy stood on the doorstep, a strange smile on her lips.

“Sofia? What are you doing here?”

She walked in without being invited. “I heard Olivia left you,” she said softly, savoring each word.

Hunter narrowed his eyes. “How do you know that?”

“I happened to be passing by earlier. I saw her getting into a car with some man. They left together. She looked in a rush… but not like she was being forced.”

Hunter’s gaze darkened. “What are you trying to say?”

Sofia smirked. “I mean, maybe Olivia already has someone else. Maybe she stopped loving you a long time ago. Maybe she’s just tired of all the drama.”

Hunter turned away, trying to process what she was implying. “You don’t know anything, Sofia.”

“Don’t I?” she whispered, stepping closer and brushing her fingers along his arm. “Isn’t this the perfect time to let go? To move on… without her?”

He shoved her hand away. “Don’t you dare use this situation to your advantage.”

Still, doubt lingered in his mind. Olivia... Had she really left him?

Sofia slithered closer, wrapping her arms around his waist and whispering seductively, “Forget her, baby. She betrayed you.”

Hunter pulled away from her touch. “Don’t act like this, Sofia. I don’t want anything to do with you!”

Sofia stepped back with a pout. “You still love that liar, don’t you? God, you’re such a fool!”

---

Meanwhile, in an unfamiliar place, Olivia slowly regained consciousness. Her head throbbed and her vision was blurred. She found herself in a dimly lit room with concrete walls and a flickering yellow bulb overhead.

Her wrists and ankles were tied to a wooden chair. She tried to recall what had happened, but the pain in her head clouded her thoughts.

The door creaked open. A man entered, wearing a mask and a black hoodie.

“You’re finally awake,” he said.

Olivia stared at him in fear. “Who are you? Why am I here?”

He stepped closer. “Relax. I won’t hurt you… as long as your husband doesn’t do anything stupid.”

“What do you mean? Hunter doesn’t even know you took me!”

“Exactly. And he never will.”

“What are you talking about?”

Olivia’s heart pounded. Why had she been kidnapped if this wasn’t about ransom? What was their real motive?

She bit her lip, fear mixing with anger. She didn’t recognize the man, didn’t know why she was a target—and now they didn’t even want Hunter to know?

Then what was the purpose of all this?

“Hunter must think I left him…” she whispered. “God, what is happening?” Her eyes closed as her mind swirled with confusion and dread.

“Who’s behind all this?” she murmured into the darkness.