Lyle House
Annie sat alone at the dining table, her left hand propping up her head as she stared forlornly at her phone lying face-up on the glossy surface.
"Please call… please call… please call," she muttered, voice trembling. "If you don't call, I'll get mad at you."
Tears welled in her eyes, blurring the screen. It had been days since Reina last called.
"Annie, baby, what's wrong with you?" Mrs. Lyle appeared in the doorway, concern etched deep into her face.
Annie looked up, tears streaming down her cheeks. Mrs. Lyle quickly crossed the room and gathered her into a warm embrace.
"Sweetheart, are you hurt? Tell me, what's wrong?" Her voice was soft, coaxing.
Annie shook her head. "Mommy, I'm fine."
Mrs. Lyle frowned. "Then why the tears? Has something happened that I don't know about?"
Sniffling, Annie wiped her cheeks and whispered, "I miss my sister. She hasn't called in so long… I want to hear her voice. I want to talk to her."
Mrs. Lyle stroked Annie's hair gently. "Oh, darling, I'm sure Reina's just busy with work. She loves you very much. She'll call soon, I promise."
Even as she spoke, Mrs. Lyle's heart ached. It had been months of worry and sleepless nights. Reina's silence these past days was a heavy burden she tried not to dwell on. This was the price her daughter paid for their family's future, and all she could do was pray for her safety.
High-Rise Condo
In a sleek, modern condo high above the city lights, Adonis paced nervously, his mind racing. He was clad in a sharp suit, but his usual composure was frayed.
"Master," Aaron's voice broke the silence. "I have information, though I don't know if it's important but the old man you wanted brought here has disappeared."
Axel stopped abruptly, his eyes narrowing. "Disappeared? For how long?"
"Three days. No one's seen him since."
Adonis' jaw tightened. "Three days…" He stared blankly at the ceiling, cold fury simmering. Ana's abduction had happened within the same period. He didn't believe in coincidences.
"Find him," Adonis ordered with icy authority. "Use any means necessary. I want to know where he is, what he's doing. No mistakes."
"Yes, Master. Consider it done."
Aaron shifted uneasily. "Sir, we can't delay our departure any longer. We need to leave soon."
Adonis voice was low but firm. "No. I'm not leaving until I find her. Until I know she's safe."
A distant humming… a low, rhythmic throb pulsed through Ana's skull as if her heartbeat had migrated to her head. Her eyelids fluttered, heavy like lead, her mouth dry as cotton.
The world around her was blurry at first muted colors, dim light, soft sheets. A sharp scent lingered in the air, sterile and strange. Slowly, she registered the unfamiliar ceiling above her, a delicate chandelier swaying gently, casting broken reflections across the room.
Where am I?
She blinked, once… twice… then winced. Her hand instinctively moved to her head, and her fingertips met thick gauze bandages. Pain radiated through her skull like lightning bolts.
Ana's breath hitched. Her heart started to pound. She pushed herself up weakly, only to be struck by a sudden rush of nausea and dizziness.
"No… what is this place?" she whispered, her voice hoarse.
The room was luxurious; too clean, too elegant. Velvet curtains, marble floors, golden trims on the furniture. But there was no warmth. Everything felt eerily silent, like the calm before a storm.
And then it hit her.
The crash.
She remembered the sound of screeching tires, the violent jolt as the car spun. Then darkness.
Ana's trembling hand instinctively moved to her abdomen.
"My baby…"
Panic clawed its way up her throat as tears rushed to her eyes. Her hands searched frantically over her belly. No blood. No bandages. Her stomach was still firm. Was it… was the baby okay?
She let out a shaky breath, forcing herself to breathe, to listen, to feel.
She wasn't in pain there. No cramps. No heaviness.
"Please…" she whispered to no one, closing her eyes tightly. "Please let my baby be safe…"
Her mind spiraled into memory: She had been in the car with Sasha and Soraya heading to the hospital. They were trying to get away. She remembered the sharp curve in the road, the loud blast of a horn. Their car had lost control. And then… nothing.
A wave of helplessness surged over her.
Suddenly, the door creaked open.
Ana's head snapped toward the sound, heart thudding.
A young maid entered quietly, holding a tray of food. She froze upon seeing Reina awake.
"Oh my God… Miss! You're awake!" the maid exclaimed, eyes wide. She nearly dropped the tray in surprise.
Ana tried to sit up, wincing. "Where… where am I? What is this place?"
"I...I'll inform the Master immediately!" the maid stammered, backing out quickly without answering.
"Wait...please!" Ana tried to call out, but the door shut behind the girl.
Master? Her chest constricted. Who the hell is the Master? Is it Harry?
She looked around desperately for a phone, a landline, anything but the room was too perfect, too controlled. No clock, no phone, no television. Only luxury and silence.
Minutes passed.
Then, the door opened again but this time slower. Heavy footsteps approached. A figure emerged.
Mr. Smith.
Ana's eyes widened in disbelief. She knew him.
"You…" her voice trembled.
He smiled warmly, stepping closer to the bed. "Ana… my little kitty. You're finally awake."
Her entire body stiffened in revulsion as she looked guarded. "Why am I here? What do you want from me?"
Mr. Smith chuckled, unfazed. "You were in a terrible accident, Ana. I saved you. You're lucky to be alive."
She clenched her fists. "Where's my phone? I want to talk to my family."
"They've been trying to reach you, yes," he said, lowering himself into the chair beside her bed, "but I thought it best you rest. You needed silence. Peace."
"You took me!" she snapped, voice rising with fear and rage. "You kidnapped me! What do you want from me?!"
Mr. Smith's smile faded slightly, but his eyes remained fixed on her like she was a precious jewel.
"I've missed you, Ana," he said softly, ignoring her protests. "Now you're finally where you belong… with me."
She shook her head, eyes wild with disbelief. "You're insane. Let me go! I'm pregnant, do you understand?! My baby..."
"Oh, I know," he interrupted, his voice softening. "That baby… doesn't matter to me. What matters is you. And I'll take care of both of you now. Like I should have from the beginning."
"No… no," Ana murmured, her body trembling as tears spilled down her cheeks. "Please let me go… please..."
But Mr. Smith only laughed.
"You're not going anywhere, my love."
Outside, the waves crashed gently against the island's shores, hiding the screams no one would hear.