Sarah pov I rummaged through Donovan's closet, sifting through his shirts and shorts, searching for my wedding ring. I couldn't recall which piece of clothing I had placed it in, but I was certain about what I was looking for. "Donovan, did you take my wedding ring from your suit? Donovan?" I called out, but there was no answer. He had been in the bathroom when I started my search, and now he was silent. I looked up, trying to figure out where he could have gone in such a short time. My thoughts immediately turned to Bryan; Donovan had mentioned checking on him before his shower. Later that day, after Lana took Bryan, I couldn't shake my worries. At 10 PM, I grabbed my car keys and drove to Lana's mansion to retrieve my son. As I stepped out of the room and into the corridor, I scanned the area. "Donovan? Are you there?" I asked softly, my voice barely audible. I decided to check on Bryan's room. As I approached Bryan's room, a mix of excitement and dread surged through me.
Lana pov I realized I needed to clarify to the board of trustees that I wouldn't make any decisions without a brief meeting with Donavon's company. It's exhausting to keep running into my ex-husband; whether at the mall or in my office, it feels inevitable. I sighed, my heart racing at the thought of what to do next. The weight of everything that had happened in the past few days was almost too much to bear. It hurts so much that I don’t have a child to look after, and I’m indifferent to what others think. I will announce to the media that I want my child; the orphanage must be informed through this announcement. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself, but my thoughts were racing. The idea of facing Donavon again, along with the pressure of the upcoming board meeting, was too much. Our divorce had been tumultuous, and the pain still felt raw. Each encounter with him was like reopening an old wound. As I sat at my desk, attempting to organize my thoughts, Mr. Jan knocked on
Lana POV Who sent me this box? Mr. Jan, who had brought it in, stood there in disbelief, staring at me. I held the letter tightly, turning to send him away. "Mr. Jan, you can leave now; I’ll handle it from here," I said with a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes, feeling the weight of the anonymous letter. "That's fine, Mrs. Lana. I'll be at the reception if you need anything," he replied. "Of course, Mr. Jan. I need to get home and prepare for the evening," I said with a weak chuckle, adjusting my handbag and slinging it over my shoulder. I sighed, looking at him. "I have to get home; Caroline and I are spending the night together, and she’ll be furious if she finds out there’s no food." We both laughed as I finished explaining things to him. "No problem, Mrs. Lana." Once Mr. Jan left, I couldn’t shake the feeling of anxiety. The note loomed large in my thoughts. Who could have sent it? I slipped the note into my pocket and headed out of the office, my mind racing. As I drov
Lana pov What does he even want with Caroline? It's exhausting when some random dude I’ve never met thinks he can just waltz in and demand her in exchange for my son. How can I trust he even has my kid? “Mr. I-have-no-idea-what-you're-up-to, how can I believe you’re not just playing some twisted game?” I rolled my eyes, hands on my hips, waiting for him to say something that might make sense. “I’m not pulling any tricks to get your attention, Mrs. Lana. Honestly, I couldn’t care less about your feelings,” he shot back, stepping a little too close for comfort. I smiled, but inside, my heart was doing a wild dance of uncertainty. I shook my head slowly. “No way, I can’t do that. Caroline is…” I hesitated, ready to walk away when he grabbed my arms and spun me around. “Don’t even think about walking out on me. I’m not here to negotiate; I’m here to claim what’s rightfully mine.” “Let go of me! Who the heck do you think you are? Caroline doesn’t even know you, and you’re trying to sn
Caroline pov “Hey! I know you don't have Lana's child. You're trying to play smart by dragging her into your pathetic building. I won't be showing up, so you can take your nonsense and shove it.” I shouted, my voice dripping with anger, as my feelings burst forth. I understand what Alex is capable of and how he operates. He might just be trying to use me for his gain; I've seen that behavior before. “Listen, Caroline, I have every right to ask where you live because if I find you, it won't end well.” He threatened me over the phone, but I wasn't fazed. He doesn't control me, and his threats don't intimidate me. I laughed softly, thinking, “You're trying to scare me over the phone? How ridiculous is that?” The line went quiet, and for a moment, I thought he had hung up. But then, his voice returned, low and threatening. "You think you're smart, don't you, Caroline? Let me make this clear: I don't issue threats. I make promises." A shiver ran through me. "And I promise you, if
Donovan pov I sat on the couch, awaiting my son Bryan to get dressed for school, yet my thoughts were consumed by Lana. It had been some time since she last visited the office, and one might wonder how I was aware of this; perhaps it was simply an intuition. A smile crept across my face as I reflected on my foolishness for dwelling on something so improbable. I struck my fist gently against the couch and leaned forward, staring at the floor. At that moment, the television, which had been displaying a blue screen, suddenly began to broadcast sound, capturing my attention. The news reported that Caroline was missing, and Mrs. Lana was attempting to conduct a collaborative investigation regarding her friend. This revelation piqued my interest, prompting me to lift my gaze. It was absurd; both Caroline and Lana were receiving their just deserts at this moment. Sarah's voice trembled from the staircase; she had been feigning illness for several days, likely preoccupied with thoughts ab
Lana pov I attempted to rise after providing my complete account to the police. My body was weary from the stress I had endured over the past few days. I could hardly fathom the torment that those criminals might have inflicted upon her. "Mrs. Lana, do you believe you can manage the absence of your friend on your own? Will you not require the assistance of security personnel at your residence?" inquired the officer in charge of the case, his voice steady and his gaze fixed upon me, maintaining an air of levity. My eyes were bloodshot, and blinking had become a challenge; I could hardly manage a nod. "I can handle the inspector," I replied, my voice trembling as I dragged my feet toward the station's exit. Where could the kidnappers have taken Caroline? This thought consumed me as I slowly lifted my legs, feeling a growing discomfort in my arms. The sensation was alarming; the pain coursing through me was anything but ordinary. Suddenly, I let out a loud moan and crouched down quic
Caroline pov A substance had been applied to my lips, rendering me unable to utter a word, while my legs were bound with a rope that pressed painfully into my skin. I found myself alone in a dark room, unable to endure the agony of electric shocks, my hair resembling a wild, unkempt mass. I fought against my bindings, but they only pressed harder against my flesh. The oppressive darkness enveloped me, turning each breath into a laborious task. Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching from outside the room. The door creaked open, allowing a narrow beam of light to pierce the gloom. A shadowy figure stood over me, its features hidden in the darkness. "Welcome, Caroline," a deep, gravelly voice intoned. "You are quite the valuable asset." I attempted to respond, but my lips were sealed with duct tape. A wave of panic washed over me as I struggled to catch my breath. The figure extended a hand, tearing the tape from my mouth. "Water," I rasped, my voice barely rising above a whispe