Setting: The Blackwood Estate – The Calm Before the Storm
Sophia woke up with a strange sense of unease.
The air in the estate felt different—like a storm was brewing just beyond the walls.
She sat up in bed, stretching her sore muscles. The events of the past few days had been overwhelming, and despite her usual resilience, even she was beginning to feel the weight of her situation.
Alexander Blackwood had made it abundantly clear—she was his now.
But the question that haunted her was why?
Was she just another pawn in his power play? Or did he see her as something more?
Before she could dwell on it further, a knock at her door interrupted her thoughts.
She turned just as the door opened, revealing Elena, her assigned maid.
"Good morning, Miss Monroe," Elena said with a polite smile. "Mr. Blackwood has requested your presence in his office."
Sophia sighed. Of course, he had.
She quickly freshened up and dressed in a simple black dress before making her way through the grand halls of the estate.
When she reached Alexander's office, the door was already slightly ajar.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside.
Alexander was standing behind his desk, engaged in a tense discussion with Damien.
The moment he saw her, his piercing blue eyes softened just a fraction.
"Sophia." His voice was gentler than she expected.
"What's going on?" she asked, folding her arms.
Damien sighed. "We received intelligence that Nathaniel Carter is planning something. We don't know what yet, but it involves you."
Sophia's stomach twisted.
Alexander's expression darkened.
"He's getting desperate," he muttered. "And desperate men do stupid things."
Sophia hesitated before speaking. "Maybe… I should talk to him."
The air in the room shifted instantly.
Alexander's eyes blazed with fury.
"No." His tone was final.
Sophia held his gaze. "If I can reason with him—"
"You think Carter plays by the rules?" Alexander stepped closer, his presence towering over her. "He doesn't want to talk, Sophia. He wants to take you."
Sophia clenched her fists. "I'm not some helpless woman that needs saving."
Alexander smirked, but it was dangerous.
"Maybe not. But you're mine now, and I don't let what's mine walk into a lion's den."
She hated the way his words sent a shiver down her spine.
Before she could argue further, Damien cleared his throat.
"We should be focusing on finding out Carter's next move. We need to be prepared."
Alexander exhaled sharply, turning his attention back to business.
"Sophia stays under 24-hour protection. No one comes in or out without my approval."
Sophia sighed.
There was no arguing with him.
Not today.
---
Meanwhile – The Rosetti Estate
Nathaniel Carter stood in the lavish office of Lorenzo Rosetti, staring at the blueprints spread out before him.
Lorenzo smirked from his seat, watching Nathaniel's expression darken.
"It's a flawless plan," Lorenzo said smoothly.
Nathaniel's jaw clenched.
"You're sure this will work?"
Lorenzo chuckled. "Absolutely."
Nathaniel glanced back down at the target.
Sophia Monroe's younger brother.
Liam Monroe.
The one person Sophia would do anything to protect.
The perfect leverage.
Nathaniel ran a hand through his hair, his emotions warring within him.
He had loved Sophia once.
But now?
Now, she belonged to Alexander Blackwood.
And Nathaniel Carter never accepted defeat.
Lorenzo leaned forward, his smirk widening.
"Kidnap her brother… and she'll come running straight to us."
Nathaniel took a deep breath before finally nodding.
"Do it."
Lorenzo grinned.
The trap was set.
And soon, Sophia Monroe would be back where she belonged.
With him.
---
Nightfall – The Abduction
Liam Monroe had no idea what was coming.
He had just left his university campus, his hands stuffed in his pockets as he walked toward his car.
The streets were quiet, the air crisp with the promise of rain.
He reached for his keys—
And then everything went black.
A van screeched to a halt beside him, and masked men dragged him inside.
He fought, kicking and cursing, but it was useless.
Within seconds, he was gone.
And Sophia Monroe's world was about to be shattered.
---
The Blackwood Estate – A Call That Changes Everything
Sophia had just sat down for dinner when her phone rang.
She frowned, seeing an unknown number.
Hesitantly, she answered.
"Hello?"
A chilling voice responded.
"Hello, Sophia."
Her blood ran cold.
"Nathaniel."
He chuckled darkly. "I have something of yours."
A heartbeat of silence.
And then—
"Say hello to your sister, Liam."
"Sophia?" Liam's voice was frantic, terrified.
Sophia's heart stopped.
"Nathaniel, don't—"
"Here's the deal, sweetheart," Nathaniel interrupted smoothly. "If you want your brother back… you come to me. Alone."
Sophia's hands shook.
"If you hurt him—"
"Tick-tock, Sophia," Nathaniel whispered. "You have twelve hours. Don't keep me waiting."
The line went dead.
Sophia stood frozen, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps.
Her brother.
Her baby brother.
Nathaniel had taken him.
And she had no choice but to go back.
Alone.
---
End of Chapter 9