CHAPTER 2

I froze, my mind racing to comprehend the situation. Who was this man, and why did he think I was someone named Skyler? The cold demeanor in his eyes sent a shiver down my spine, and I instinctively took a step back, my heart pounding in my chest.

"I-I'm not Skyler," I insisted, my voice trembling with fear. "You've got the wrong person."

But the man didn't seem convinced. His eyes narrowed as he took a step closer, his presence looming over me like a dark cloud.

"Where were you hiding all this time," he growled, his voice low and menacing. "I've been searching for you everywhere. And now that I've found you, you're not getting away again."

Panic surged through me as I realized the gravity of the situation. Whoever this man was, he was convinced that I was someone named Skyler, and he seemed determined to confront them, or me, whoever he believed me to be.

"I swear, I don't know who you're talking about," I pleaded, desperation creeping into my voice. "Please, just let me go."

But the man's grip on my arm tightened, his expression hardening with anger and frustration.

"I'm not falling for your lies," he spat, his voice laced with venom. "You can't run from me anymore, Skyler. I'm taking you back home with me."

With a surge of adrenaline, I wrenched myself free from his grasp and bolted through the crowd, my heart pounding in my ears. Panic clouded my thoughts as I weaved through the maze of shoppers, desperate to escape the clutches of this stranger who was convinced I was someone I wasn't.

As I finally burst out of the mall into the open air, I didn't dare to look back, fearing that he might still be following me. My mind raced with questions, trying to make sense of what had just happened. Who was Skyler, and why did this man think I was her? And what did he mean by "consequences"?

Shaken to the core, I pulled out my phone and dialled my brother's number, praying that he would pick up and come to my rescue once again. As the phone rang, I cast a nervous glance over my shoulder, half expecting to see the stranger lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce.

"Matt, it's me," I blurted out as soon as he answered, my voice trembling with fear. "Something terrible has happened. I need you to come get me, now.”

"Okay, Ari, stay calm," Matthew's voice came through the phone, his tone urgent yet reassuring. "Where are you?"

"I'm outside the mall, somewhere safer," I replied, my voice trembling as I glanced around nervously.

"Ari, listen to me," he said firmly. "If you feel like you're in danger, it's safer for you to stay in a public place where there are people around. Understand?"

As I listened to his words, a sense of relief washed over me. I hadn't even considered the safety of staying within the crowd.

"That didn't occur to me," I admitted sheepishly. "I'll go back inside, but don't tell Gabriel or Ethan. They'd be worried sick.”

"Got it," Matthew replied. "Just be careful, Ari. I'll be there as fast as I can.”

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions raging inside me. Matthew's words made sense, and I knew he was right. It was safer to stay in a public place where there were people. As I turned to head back into the mall, I felt a sudden, strong grip on my arm.

Panic flared up as I instinctively opened my mouth to scream, but before I could make a sound, a rough hand clamped over my mouth, muffling my cries. My eyes widened in terror, and I struggled against the iron grip, but it was no use.

"Shh, stay quiet," a voice whispered harshly in my ear, sending chills down my spine. I twisted and turned, trying to break free, but the grip only tightened. Then I felt a cloth pressed against my nose and mouth, a strong chemical odor filling my nostrils. I tried to hold my breath, but it was too late. The world around me started to blur, and a heavy drowsiness began to take over. My limbs felt like lead, and my vision darkened.

***

As consciousness slowly returned to me, I felt a throbbing ache in my head, and my eyelids fluttered open. Blinking against the harsh light, I found myself in an unfamiliar room, surrounded by opulent furnishings and luxurious décor.

My heart hammered in my chest as I tried to piece together what had happened. Memories of being pulled away and a cloth pressed against my face flooded back, sending a wave of fear coursing through me.

Panic rising, I struggled to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through my head, forcing me to lie back down. My mind raced with questions. Where was I? Who had kidnapped me? And most importantly, how could I escape?

Taking a deep breath to steady my nerves, I forced myself to assess my surroundings. The room was adorned with expensive-looking furniture and intricate tapestries, suggesting that whoever had brought me here had wealth and power.

As I tried to push myself up again, the door to the room creaked open, and a figure stepped inside. My heart leapt into my throat as I braced myself for the worst.

But to my surprise, it was not the kidnapper who entered but a woman with gentle eyes and a sympathetic smile.

Her smile disappeared as she closed the door behind her, walking toward me with a mix of anger and concern etched on her face. Leaning closer, she whispered urgently, "How did Mr. Anderson found you, Skyler? You promised me he would never find you."

Confused and scared, I looked up at the woman, my mind spinning. "There was a misunderstanding," I stammered, my voice shaky. "I'm not Skyler. They got the wrong person."

Before the woman could respond, the door swung open again, and the man who had mistaken me for someone named Skyler entered the room. His presence was commanding, and he exuded a cold, dangerous aura.

"Disappear," he ordered the woman, his voice sharp and authoritative.

The woman shot me a worried glance before rushing out of the room, closing the door behind her. The man approached me with a cocky yet angry smile, his eyes never leaving mine.

“Well, well, well,” he said, his eyes gleaming with a mix of triumph and fury. “Look who I have in my clutches again. Tell me something, my darling wife. When you ran away, did it ever cross your mind that I would find you?”

My heart pounded even harder as his words sank in. Wife? What was he talking about? Fear and confusion twisted inside me as I struggled to form a coherent response.

"I'm not your wife," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "You've got the wrong person."

His smile widened, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Are you trying to say I'm crazy? Do you think I wouldn't recognize my own wife?”

“You have to believe me,” I said, my voice breaking. “I don’t know who you are or why you’re doing this, but I swear, I’m not the person you think I am.”

He leaned in closer, his face inches from mine, and I could see the intensity in his eyes. The scent of his cologne was overwhelming, making me feel even more trapped. “You can play this game all you want, but it won’t change anything. You’re mine, and you’re going to pay for what you’ve done.”

Terror gripped me as I realized the gravity of the situation. This man was convinced I was someone named Skyler, his supposed wife, and he wasn't going to let me go easily. My mind raced, searching for a way out, but all I could see was his relentless gaze and the inescapable reality of my predicament.

Agitated and furious, I felt my voice rise in desperation. "What do I have to do to make you believe I'm not—" My words were cut off abruptly by a sharp slap across my face, the force of it sending a searing wave of pain through my cheek. The metallic tang of blood filled my mouth.

"Well," he sneered, leaning in closer, his breath hot against my skin. "Are you familiar with that?"