The light was dim when I woke up. My head throbbed painfully, and my body ached as if I’d been dragged across the floor. I tried to move, but my wrists were bound behind me, and my legs were tied together. Panic surged through me as I struggled to sit up, taking in my surroundings. The room was small, bare, and not the bridal suite where I had been just hours ago.I blinked, disoriented, trying to make sense of what had happened. The wedding… the mysterious figure… the blow to my head. “Tick tock, Lyra.” That voice haunted me, and the memory of the masked man chilled me to my bones.Suddenly, the door creaked open. My pulse quickened as footsteps echoed on the concrete floor. I braced myself, my heart hammering in my chest, trying to keep my breathing steady despite the overwhelming fear that gripped me.Two figures stepped into the room, their faces coming into view. My breath hitched when I saw them.“Angela.” “James.”I couldn’t believe it. My sister. My ex-boyfriend. “What… what
I stood at the altar, my heart racing. Today was the day I’d waited for, the day I’d marry the woman who owned every inch of my soul. Lyra. My eyes flickered to the grand double doors, expecting her to walk through at any moment, looking like the goddess I knew her to be. But… nothing.The church was buzzing softly, the guests whispering amongst themselves. The air was thick with the scent of fresh roses and tension. It wasn’t like Lyra to keep me waiting. I swallowed hard, forcing myself to stay calm. “She’ll be here,” I muttered under my breath.Beside me, Alex shifted awkwardly. He leaned in, his voice low. “Kurtis, she’s probably just taking her time. You know, wedding day nerves.”I nodded, but the knot in my stomach tightened. Something wasn’t right. I glanced at my phone for the tenth time, hoping—no, praying—that a message would pop up, some excuse for her lateness. But the screen stayed blank.“Where the hell is she?” I whispered, my voice rough with worry. I could feel the w
Kurtis POV It’s been twenty-four hours, and still no sign of her. I’m losing it. Every lead feels like a dead end, and the clock is ticking faster than I can move. I should have been there, should have protected her. The weight of it all presses against my chest like a vise, suffocating me, and my mind keeps circling back to the last time I saw her smile.It was that morning, the day of our wedding. She’d smiled at me from across the room, her eyes glowing with love, her lips curling in that gentle, perfect way they always did. And now, she’s out there, somewhere, scared, alone. I can’t stop picturing her, trapped, helpless, wondering why I haven’t come for her yet. Every second that passes feels like another nail in my chest. I won’t let her down again.We’ve combed through security footage, spoken to everyone who could have possibly seen something, but still, nothing. It’s like she vanished into thin air, and the fear gnaws at me, eating away at any shred of composure I have left.
My wrists ached from the ropes biting into my skin, the rough fibers digging deep until I could barely feel my hands. Every breath I took felt like fire, burning its way through my chest as panic clawed at me from the inside. The darkness pressed in, suffocating, making the air thick and stale. There was only one dim light, an overhead bulb that flickered weakly, casting long, eerie shadows that danced across the cracked concrete walls. “How long has it been?”Days? Hours? Time had lost all meaning after the first time they hit me. My cheek throbbed with a dull ache, swollen from the most recent blow, but I refused to give in. I wouldn’t cry. Not for them. Not when I still had hope, as fragile as it was. “Kurtis is coming. He’ll find me.”But doubt was creeping in. Gnawing at me, pulling at the edges of my mind. What if he didn’t get the message? What if he never found me?“No,” I whispered to myself, fighting back the tremor in my voice. I couldn’t afford to think like that. Not now
My heart raced as I struggled against the ropes binding my wrists. Every breath I took felt like fire, burning in my chest as the panic threatened to choke me. The darkness in the room pressed down on me, thick and suffocating. The only light came from the flickering bulb hanging overhead, casting long, eerie shadows on the concrete walls.How long had it been? Days? Hours? I lost track after the second time they hit me. My cheek was still swollen from the last blow, but I refused to cry. I wouldn’t give them that power over me. Not when I still had hope. “Kurtis is coming. He’ll find me.”But the doubt crept in, gnawing at the edges of my mind. What if he didn’t get the message? What if he never found me?I shook my head, trying to clear the fog of fear. I couldn’t think like that. Not now.The sound of footsteps echoed from the hallway, slow and deliberate. My pulse quickened as the door creaked open. The man who had taken me stepped in, his face hidden in the shadows. He looked at
KurtisThe night presses in around me, thick and suffocating, but my mind is sharper than ever. I can still feel the tension from the message vibrating in my hand. I know it’s a trap. But if it leads me to her…to Lyra…then I’ll walk straight into the lion’s den without a second thought.My phone buzzes again, the shrill sound cutting through the stillness of the car. I check the message, expecting another taunt from the kidnappers. Instead, it’s an unknown number. My heart hammers in my chest as I answer.“Speak.”A distorted voice responds, cold and mechanical. “Kurtis, I trust you got our message?”“Where is she?” I snap, gripping the steering wheel so hard it feels like it might break. “What do you want?”A low chuckle comes through the line, chilling me to the bone. “Relax. Lyra’s alive…for now. But her time is running out. You know what we want, Kurtis.”“I swear if you hurt her”“Calm down, hero,” the voice interrupts, almost bored. “We’re not interested in harming her, yet. Wha
Kurtis POV“Kurtis… you’re running out of time.”That voice. Calm, cruel, and too familiar. Every word he spoke scraped at my skin, clawing at the frayed edges of my sanity. My grip on the phone tightened, knuckles white, as I tried to control the rage bubbling inside me. “I’ve given you twenty-four hours,” the kidnapper continued, his tone smooth like he was enjoying this twisted game. “But let’s be clear, I’m not after your money. I’m after something much more valuable: your suffering. And watching you scramble around, desperate, clueless... that’s priceless.”“You touch her again, and I swear” I growled, my voice low, venomous.He chuckled, that mocking, icy sound sending a chill down my spine. “Swear what, Kurtis? You’ll do *what*, exactly? Right now, you’re powerless. Helpless. And that’s exactly where I want you.”Suddenly, I heard it. Barely audible, but it shattered me to my core.Lyra.A faint whimper in the background. She was scared. She was in pain.My heart slammed agai
Angela POV“Stick to the plan, Angela,” I muttered to myself, staring out into the night. My fingers gripped the windowsill as the cold wind brushed against my face. I could feel everything crumbling around me, slipping out of control. James was pushing too far. He liked the power he had over them, over Lyra. I knew it the moment I saw that twisted look in his eyes, he wasn’t going to let her go easily.But that wasn't the plan. The ransom was already set, and Kurtis and his men were waiting. Lyra had to be released tonight, or everything would fall apart.I moved away from the window, my heels clicking softly against the floor as I paced back and forth, my mind racing. I could feel the weight of every decision pressing down on me. I had to be smart. One wrong move and this whole game would come crashing down.I picked up my phone and texted the men I had stationed near the edge of the lot. They were supposed to handle the release. I couldn’t show myself, not to Kurtis, and not to Lyr
Lyra’s POV The day had finally arrived: my wedding day. The world outside seemed to know it was special, too. The sky was a canvas of soft blues and wispy white clouds, with the sun gently warming the seaside breeze. Every detail of the morning felt surreal, like I was walking through a dream I never wanted to wake up from. In my bridal suite, the air buzzed with excitement. Sophie, my bridesmaid and Angela’s closest friend, was helping me into my wedding dress. The dress was everything I’d imagined, sleek and elegant with delicate lace running down the sleeves and tiny pearls dotting the bodice. The train cascaded behind me like a flowing river of ivory silk. As Sophie zipped the back, I caught my reflection in the full-length mirror. For a moment, I didn’t recognize myself. “You look stunning, Lyra,” Sophie said, stepping back to admire me. Her voice was thick with emotion. I turned to her, my own heart brimming. “Do you think Kurtis will like it?” Sophie laughed. “Like i
Lyra's POV The next morning, I woke up to the smell of coffee drifting up to my room. For a moment, I stayed under the covers, savoring the warmth of my bed and the quiet anticipation that filled the air. Tomorrow, I would become Mrs. Lyra Hartley. The thought sent a flutter of excitement and nerves through me. Finally, curiosity got the better of me, and I padded downstairs, barefoot, my robe loosely tied. In the kitchen, I found Angela standing by the counter, a steaming mug in her hands. Her back was to me, and she seemed lost in thought. “Good morning,” I said, stepping closer, my voice soft so as not to startle her. Angela jumped slightly but quickly recovered, turning around with a faint smile. “Good morning. I didn’t mean to wake you. I just... couldn’t sleep.” I reached for a mug and poured myself some coffee, the rich aroma wrapping around me like a comforting hug. “You didn’t wake me,” I assured her. “But you being up this early is definitely unusual. What’s on your
Lyra’s POVThe morning light streamed through my bedroom window, painting everything in soft gold. My phone buzzed on the nightstand, jolting me out of my thoughts. I reached for it, my heart skipping a beat when I saw Kurtis’s name flashing on the screen. “Good morning, baby girl,” his deep voice greeted me. “Good morning,” I replied, feeling a flutter in my chest. Even after everything we’d been through, his voice still had that effect on me. “How did you sleep?” he asked. “Better than I have in weeks,” I admitted. “Knowing Alice is finally in custody helps.” There was a pause, and then he chuckled. “I knew that would ease your mind. But listen, we have something more important to focus on now—our wedding.” My heart soared. “You’re right. No more delays.” “Exactly. Can you meet me at the venue later today? I’ve already called a decorator and the caterer to start discussing ideas.” “Of course,” I said, excitement bubbling up. “What time?” “Around two. I’ll text you
Kurtis’s POVThe morning after James was arrested, I woke up feeling lighter, yet there was still a lingering weight on my chest. Alice. She was the real puppet master, the mastermind behind James’s schemes. If I let my guard down now, it could all be for nothing. I sat at the edge of the bed, watching Lyra sleep. Her face was serene, untouched by the chaos that constantly tried to invade our lives. I wanted to keep it that way. Standing up, I grabbed my phone and dialed Detective Harper. “Harper,” her voice was sharp and awake despite the early hour. “We’ve got to move on Alice,” I said, my tone firm. “If she gets wind of James’s arrest, she’ll bolt. We need to act now.” There was a pause on the other end of the line before Harper responded. “Agreed. Do you have anything concrete on her yet?” “Not enough to keep her locked up for long,” I admitted. “But James’s arrest is going to shake her. If we can catch her making a move, we’ll have something to work with.” “I’ll dispa
Kurtis’s POVI was still seeing the the moment the handcuffs clicked around James’s wrists, playing in my eye, how I felt an overwhelming sense of relief. It wasn’t just about justice, it was about keeping Lyra safe, about making sure that maniac wouldn’t come anywhere near her again. As the officers led him out, his defiance hadn’t wavered. “This isn’t over, Kurtis,” James hissed, his eyes filled with venom. “You think taking me down changes anything? You have no idea what you’re up against.” His voice echoed back in my ear.I didn’t respond. He could spit all the poison he wanted; his threats didn’t matter anymore. His reign of terror had ended the moment those cuffs locked into place. Once the police cars disappeared into the night, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. Detective Harper walked up to me, her expression grim but satisfied. “You did good tonight, Kurtis,” she told me.“I just did what needed to be done,” I replied, glancing at the warehouse where
Kurtis’s POVJames was a menace, a shadow that loomed over Lyra and Angela's lives for far too long. As I stood by the window of my penthouse suite, staring at the city lights below, the thought of letting him roam free even for another day was unbearable. Lyra’s safety wasn’t just a responsibility, it was personal. “I’m not waiting for him to make his next move,” I said, turning to Detective Harper on the other end of the phone. Harper’s voice was professional but tinged with determination. “We need solid evidence to make the arrest stick, Kurtis. What you’ve given us so far is compelling, but I need more to ensure he doesn’t wriggle out on a technicality.” I clenched my fist. “Then you’ll have it. I’ll send over every document, every email, every recording we’ve compiled so far. And I’ll make sure he has no place to run.” After hanging up, I paced the room, my mind racing. James was clever, but arrogance was his fatal flaw. He never imagined I’d play the long game, collectin
Lyra's POV Later that evening, as the hospital quieted down, I sat by Angela’s bedside, my mind a storm of thoughts. The air felt heavy, not just from the day’s events but from something I’d been holding back, something I needed answers to. I took a deep breath, summoning the courage to bring it up. Angela’s eyelids were drooping, but I knew she wasn’t asleep yet. “Angela,” I said softly, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. “I need to ask you something… and I need you to be honest with me.” Her eyes fluttered open, and she turned her head slightly to look at me. “Of course. What is it?” “It’s about James.” At the mention of his name, her expression shifted, a flicker of guilt flashing across her face. She didn’t say anything, so I pressed on. “You’ve been around him more than I have lately. You must know something about his intentions. What’s he planning, Angela? What does he want from me?” Angela hesitated, biting her lower lip. “Lyra… I don’t know if” “Do
Lyra’s POVThe cold, sterile smell of the hospital hit me the moment I stepped inside. My heart was pounding so hard it drowned out every other sound—the murmur of voices, the beep of monitors, the shuffling of feet. Angela. Critical condition. The nurse’s words rang in my ears as I approached the counter, my voice trembling as I asked, “Angela… Angela Hayes. Where is she?” The receptionist barely glanced up, typing away on her computer. “Room 115. Down the hall, second door on your left.” I didn’t wait for her to finish. My feet moved before my mind could catch up, rushing down the hallway, my breaths coming in short, panicked gasps. My legs felt like jelly, but I pushed forward, ignoring the ache. When I reached the door marked *115,* I paused, my hand hovering over the handle. I wasn’t ready to see her like this—to see my sister, my twin, lying broken and vulnerable. But I had to. I pushed the door open and stepped inside, my breath catching in my throat at the sight be
Angela’s POV The door slammed behind me as I left Lyra’s house, but the sound didn’t drown out the storm in my head. The cold evening air wrapped around me like a punishment, but it was nothing compared to the icy distance Lyra had put between us. I climbed into my car, letting the silence close in, but the quiet only gave space for my thoughts to scream louder. My hands clutched the steering wheel tightly, my knuckles turning white as I sat there, reliving every moment of the last hour. I had gone there to apologize, to mend the bridge I had set on fire. Instead, I’d been met with something far worse than anger, indifference. When she opened the door, her face was unreadable. For a moment, I thought she might slam it shut again, but she stepped aside, her cold eyes fixed on me. “What do you want, Angela?” she asked, her voice void of emotion. My heart had twisted at her tone, but I forced myself to speak. “I came to say I’m sorry, Lyra. I know I’ve been… awful. I know I’v