Isabella's hands trembled as she stared at the message.
He's coming.
Her mind screamed at her to move, to wake Lena, to do something. But for a long, terrifying moment, she just sat there—paralyzed.
It had been too easy. Too clean.
Ethan letting her go without a fight?
It never made sense.
And now, her worst fear was coming true.
Was he outside right now? Was he watching her, waiting, like a predator tracking its prey?
She forced herself to swallow the lump in her throat and took a shaky breath.
No.
Not this time.
She had spent too long being afraid, letting him control every breath, every thought. If she ran now, she'd never stop running.
She turned to wake Lena, but before she could even touch her friend's shoulder, her phone buzzed again.
Unknown Number: Don't wake her. Just go.
Her breath caught.
They could see her.
Her skin prickled, every nerve in her body screaming danger.
She moved slowly, quietly, slipping off the couch without making a sound. She grabbed her bag with shaking fingers and crept toward the door.
Her heart pounded so loudly in her chest she was sure they could hear it.
When she reached the door, she hesitated.
Was she walking into safety?
Or a trap?
---
Ethan's Penthouse – The Same Morning
Ethan stared at his reflection in the mirror, gripping the edges of the sink so tightly his knuckles turned white.
He looked like a man who hadn't slept.
Because he hadn't.
Every second without Isabella felt like a raw, gaping wound—an ache that wouldn't go away.
But she would come back.
She had to.
She just needed to realize that no one in this world would ever love her the way he did.
And when she did?
He would be waiting.
His phone vibrated, cutting through the silence. He reached for it, eyes narrowing when he saw the message.
Unknown Number: You let her leave. Now she's mine.
His blood turned to ice.
Mine?
His jaw clenched.
No.
No one touched what was his.
Ethan straightened, exhaling slowly as he forced the rage back down. He had been patient. He had given her space.
But if someone thought they could take her from him?
They were about to find out just how dangerous he could be.
---
Somewhere in the City
Isabella walked quickly, pulling her hood up to cover her face.
She didn't know where she was going.
She just knew she had to keep moving.
The streets felt different. Every stranger looked like a threat. Every shadow felt like it was watching.
Was she being paranoid?
Or was she being hunted?
Her phone vibrated in her pocket, and she pulled it out with stiff fingers.
Unknown Number: Left at the next street. Quickly.
Her stomach twisted.
Why was she listening to this person?
How did she know they weren't just leading her into another trap?
But something in her gut told her she didn't have time to question it.
She turned left.
And froze.
A black car was parked across the street.
The windows were tinted, but she could feel eyes on her.
Ethan?
Or someone worse?
---
Back at Lena's Apartment
Lena woke up with a start, frowning when she realized Isabella wasn't there.
The blanket was still warm.
Her stomach twisted.
Something was wrong.
She grabbed her phone, quickly dialing Isabella's number.
No answer.
A pit of dread settled in her stomach.
She pulled on her jacket and grabbed her keys.
She needed to find Isabella before he did.
---
Ethan's Office – One Hour Later
Ethan stood by the window, gripping his phone so tightly it threatened to crack.
His sources had been silent.
No updates. No sightings.
That wasn't possible.
Someone was helping her.
He turned as his assistant, Mark, entered. "Find her."
Mark hesitated. "We're already searching—"
"I said find her."
Mark swallowed hard and nodded. "Understood."
Ethan turned back to the window, his jaw tightening.
Whoever thought they could take her from him…
They were about to regret it.