4:50 AM – Somewhere in the City
Isabella ran.
The streets were wet from the late-night drizzle, her boots splashing through shallow puddles as she sprinted down an unfamiliar road. The city lights flickered, casting long, eerie shadows against the buildings.
Lena.
She had to get to Lena.
Her fingers trembled as she gripped her phone, trying to call her again.
No answer.
Her stomach twisted.
Was she already too late?
Another message popped up.
Unknown Number: You don't have much time. They found her.
Her breath caught.
Who are you? she typed desperately.
But there was no reply.
---
Lena's Apartment – 4:55 AM
Lena knew she had made a mistake the moment she opened the door.
The man standing before her wasn't some random messenger.
He was one of Ethan's men.
The type that didn't take no for an answer.
Her fingers tightened around the doorknob as she forced a smile.
"Sorry, it's a little late for visitors."
She moved to shut the door—
But he stopped it with a single hand.
"We need to talk," he repeated, his voice too calm. Too controlled.
Her pulse pounded.
"Sorry, I—"
Before she could react, the man stepped inside, shutting the door behind him.
Her stomach dropped.
"Miss Lena," he said, adjusting his suit jacket. "I think you already know why I'm here."
Her mind raced.
Run. Scream. Fight.
What could she do?
She wasn't like Isabella—she didn't have the same stubborn fire, the same ability to fight back even when it hurt.
But she wasn't weak either.
Lena's fingers brushed against the kitchen counter behind her, inching toward the heavy ceramic mug sitting there.
The man tilted his head slightly.
"You're making this harder than it needs to be."
Lena's grip tightened.
Then—
She swung the mug.
It shattered against his shoulder, catching him off guard.
She bolted for the door.
But before she could reach it, strong arms wrapped around her waist, yanking her back.
She struggled, kicking and twisting, but he was stronger.
Her scream was muffled by a firm hand over her mouth.
"You don't understand," the man muttered, dragging her toward the door. "This isn't a request."
Her heart pounded wildly.
Ethan.
This was about Ethan.
---
Ethan's Office – 5:02 AM
A slow smile played on Ethan's lips as he watched the security feed.
Lena struggled against his man, panic flashing in her wide eyes.
Good.
Panic was necessary.
It was the only way Isabella would understand.
He wasn't the villain here.
She had left him no choice.
She had made him do this.
His fingers tapped against the glass of whiskey in his hand.
How long before she figured it out?
How long before she realized he was the only one who could keep her safe?
The phone buzzed beside him.
He answered without looking.
"Do you have her?"
"Yes, sir," the man on the other end confirmed. "She fought, but it's done."
Ethan smiled.
"She's unharmed?"
"A few bruises, but she's fine."
"Good."
He ended the call and leaned back in his chair, satisfaction curling through him.
Now, all he had to do was wait.
Because Isabella would come back to him.
She always did.
---
Isabella – 5:15 AM
Her lungs burned.
She had been running for too long, but she couldn't stop.
She wouldn't stop.
Not when she knew exactly where she needed to go.
Her instincts had screamed the moment she read that message.
She had spent enough time with Ethan to know how he worked.
If he couldn't control her, he would control the people around her.
Lena.
A surge of fear shot through her.
Her best friend.
The only person who had helped her escape.
Was she okay?
Was she already with him?
Her fingers clenched into fists as she turned the last corner, her pulse racing.
Ethan had underestimated her before.
He wouldn't do it again.
---
Ethan's Estate – 5:32 AM
The car pulled up to the gates, and Lena was dragged out, her wrists still bound.
She wanted to fight, to scream, to do something—
But she knew it was useless.
Ethan stood at the top of the steps, his expression unreadable.
She glared at him.
"You're a psychopath."
He smiled. "I prefer the term 'problem solver.'"
Lena's blood boiled.
"What do you even want?" she snapped.
He took a step closer, eyes darkening.
"I think you already know."
Her stomach turned.
Isabella.
It was always about Isabella.
She swallowed, refusing to show fear.
"You're making a mistake," she said.
Ethan smirked.
"I don't make mistakes."
A gust of wind blew past them, rustling the trees.
Then—
The gates creaked open.
Lena's breath hitched as she turned.
A figure stood at the entrance.
Her heart nearly stopped.
Isabella.
She was out of breath, her face flushed from running, but her eyes burned with determination.
Ethan's smirk widened.
Right on time.