Iris sat on the cold floor, her knees pulled tightly to her chest. Her body felt heavy, the small life growing inside her a constant reminder of the situation she couldn’t fully understand. Her mind was a fog of confusion, with brief flashes of unfamiliar faces and voices that seemed just beyond reach. How long had she been locked up in this room? She couldn’t remember. The dim light filtered through the small, barred window, casting shadows on the gray walls. She glanced around the room—empty except for the old mattress and a broken chair in the corner. There was nothing to aid her escape, no tools to break the window or pry open the door. It felt as though she was trapped in her mind just as much as she was in this prison.Who am I? Iris thought to herself as her fingers absentmindedly traced the bump of her belly. She knew she was pregnant—there was no denying the growing life within her—but she didn’t know how or why. Was there someone waiting for her outside? Was she married?
You were in a terrible accident, and you’ve been recovering since—"Ryan cut her off. "Don’t lie to me, Sarah. I know there’s more to it. I need the truth."There was a long pause before Sarah sighed. "I’m sorry, sir. I don’t know anything else."Ryan clenched his fists in frustration. "Fine. You can go."After hanging up, Ryan stood up, determination burning in his chest. He wasn’t getting answers from anyone, and Bella had made sure to keep him locked inside this gilded cage. But he wouldn’t sit back and accept it anymore. Something was being hidden from him, and he was going to find out what.He began walking through the house, checking each room as if they might hold the secrets to his past. Room after room revealed nothing out of the ordinary. Just as he was about to give up, he found himself in his study. He looked around, and suddenly, blurry flashes began to assault his mind—vague images, memories that were just out of focus.Ryan’s head spun as he staggered to the bookshelves
Ryan’s fingers trembled as he held the delicate lingerie, the silky fabric triggering something deep within him. The scent that lingered on it was hauntingly familiar, stirring a sense of déjà vu so powerful that it sent a shiver down his spine. As he pressed the fabric closer to his face, memories began flooding his mind in disjointed flashes.There was a woman—a stripper. Her face was shadowed by the dim lights of a nightclub, but her eyes sparkled with defiance. "Marry me," he had said to her once. The memory hit him like a punch to the gut, and his breath hitched.Who is she? Ryan’s head began to throb as more images flickered in his mind: a crowded strip club, the scent of perfume mingled with sweat, the sound of music thumping in the background, and then... that woman again, her lips curled in a seductive smile.He could feel her presence, almost tangible, but just as quickly as the memories appeared, they dissolved into nothingness, leaving him with more questions than answer
Luca quietly opened the door to the guest bedroom in his house, his eyes falling on Mrs. Jessica, who was lying on the bed, looking pale but conscious. Her injuries were healing, but the scars of her captivity were evident. She stirred when she heard the door, slowly sitting up as Luca entered the room."How are you feeling today?" Luca asked, pulling up a chair beside the bed."Better, thanks to you," Jessica replied softly. Her voice was hoarse, and her eyes carried the weight of someone who had been through unimaginable pain. "But... Luca, I need to know about my daughter. You promised to tell me more about Iris."Luca sighed, running a hand through his hair. This wasn’t the first time she’d asked about Iris, and he couldn’t bring himself to tell her the whole truth. "Iris is fine, Mrs. Jessica," he assured her, leaning forward. "She can’t come to see you right now because… well, she’s being watched closely. We have to be careful."Jessica’s face was etched with worry. "But I need
How did I end up with her? he thought bitterly, his jaw clenching. The memories of everything she’d done flooded his mind. The lies, the manipulation, the false pregnancy—he now knew it had all been a part of her plan. She had never cared about him. It had always been about power, about taking over the Kendrick Empire.His hands itched with the urge to confront her, to demand answers. But he knew he had to be patient. If he showed his cards too soon, she would only find a way to slip through his fingers again. He couldn’t afford that. Not this time."I haven’t seen my mom or dad in a while," Ryan said, breaking the silence. "I’d like to visit them. I need to check on my dad’s health."Bella paused, glancing over her shoulder at him. "Just call them. You can talk to them on the phone."Ryan shook his head, his voice steady. "I can’t talk to Dad on the phone, remember? He’s not doing well. I need to see him in person."Bella narrowed her eyes, studying him for a moment before sighing. "A
Ryan stared at his phone, the screen lighting up again with Bella’s name flashing. His jaw tightened as he declined the call for the second time. The relentless buzzing in his pocket wouldn’t stop, but he needed to finish his conversation with Luca. If he didn’t handle this right, everything could spiral out of control.“Bella’s on to me,” Ryan muttered, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “She’s calling nonstop.”Luca’s eyes narrowed. “You should get going then. We don’t want her catching on just yet.”Ryan nodded, though his mind was still racing with thoughts of Iris. He had known she was in trouble, but Luca’s revelations hit harder than expected. Months had passed since her abduction, and with every day that passed, the chances of finding her alive dwindled. Yet, somehow, he needed to keep hope alive.“We’ll meet again,” Ryan said, standing straighter. “There’s more to figure out. I won’t let her get away with this.”Luca placed a hand on Ryan’s shoulder. “I’ll keep d
Bella’s eyes softened, but there was still an edge in her voice. “You scared me, Ryan. I didn’t know where you were. You know how important it is to keep me informed, especially now.”Ryan forced a smile. “I know, I’m sorry. It’s just... with Dad’s health and everything, I got distracted.”Is he inside?” Bella asked, her eyes still scanning his face as if trying to detect a lie.“Yeah, I’m about to head in now,” Ryan replied. “We’re going to talk for a bit. I’ll call you after, alright?”Bella hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Okay. Just don’t take too long. And remember, I want you home tonight.”“Got it. See you soon.” Ryan ended the call before she could push further, letting out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. His hands were shaking slightly as he lowered the phone. He knew Bella wasn’t buying the story entirely. She was suspicious, but for now, he had bought himself a little more time. Time he needed to figure out the next move with Luca.Inside the Mansion...Rya
Rose paced the dimly lit room, her manicured nails tapping against her phone as she waited for Parker to finish speaking. She could hear the anxiety in his voice as he relayed the latest news about Jessica's sudden disappearance. The air in the room felt heavy with the tension that had been building for weeks."How did they move her before we got there?" Rose hissed, her eyes narrowing. "You said the team was following the plan. What happened?"Parker, seated on the edge of the bed, sighed deeply, running a hand through his graying hair. "They told me they arrived at the location, but she was gone. The only person they found was a nurse who refused to give any information. Whoever’s behind this is sharp, Rose. They're staying one step ahead of us."Rose clenched her jaw, her anger simmering just below the surface. "We need to outsmart them. Whoever is orchestrating this is too fast and too organized. Jessica should have been in our hands by now."Parker nodded, his face drawn in conce