Kidnapped

♡Astrid ♡

He was cold —out of reach even. And yeah, while this hurts, it was the only sensible option not when Freya would be caught in the crossfire.

And that's why I was in my room, sitting on the bed and fiddling with my phone.

I straightened up and dialed mum. We hadn't talked much ever since the hospital, she calls in to check on me occasionally and apologized for never trusting in me and why it'd be a little hard before our relationship would get back to how it used to be, we were making progress.

She picked up on the second ring.

"Astrid?" Her voice was a little groggy, probably just waking up from sleep. There was shuffling and I could picture her sitting up on her bed.

I ran my hands through my hair.

"Mum," my voice came out a little shaky. So much for not wanting to cry while on the phone with her.

"Sweetheart, what's wrong?" She asked and I stared up at the ceiling.

"I'm divorcing Adrian," I said and the words felt heavy coming out from my mouth, it tasted bitter even.

There was silence for a brief second.

"I knew you wouldn't put up with him for too long," she said and I shook my head, pinching my eyes close.

"He didn't do it, mum. He was also a victim," I whispered and my eyes filled with tears, I opened them and blinked a couple of times to stop myself from crying.

"What are you talking about?" She asked and I sniffed.

"He was never behind the attack. It was his father, mum. He tried to kill me and now he's threatening to take Freya if I don't leave Adrian," my voice broke mid-statement.

My chest tightened and I forced myself to breathe.

"Freya? He can't get her, she's in California and safe with her uncle," mum said and I shook my head.

"Makes it all the more dangerous. We need to get her back, mum. Gary could go to any length," I muttered and glanced at the door.

I really wished I could trust Adrian at this point, I knew he'd figure something out but what if? What if it was too late, huh?

What if Gary already harmed Freya? I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if anything happened to her because of me. I wouldn't.

"We would get her and we'll talk this when we meet in person, but for now, just be careful and —" mum was still saying when the line disconnected abruptly. I pulled the phone away from my ear to stare at the screen, that was... sudden.

I tried calling back but her line wouldn't connect, probably network issues.

I fell on the bed, curling into myself. I'd have to move out and yeah, tell Joan I was getting a divorce.

With the public announcement, they'd definitely find out themselves and Adrian... he wouldn't even get the promotion.

All this would then be for nothing. I shut my eyes tightly.

Career gone, and we'd be left with nothing. Because yeah, it'd affect both our careers.

I had no idea when I fell asleep but a knock on my door had woken me up. I rubbed my eyes that still felt swollen and sat up on the bed.

The door knob turned and the door pushed open before he stepped in. He was dressed in a jacket and pants, like he was going somewhere.

His eyes met mine and they looked empty. They weren't unreadable like they'd always been, this time, they were empty.

I couldn't figure out if he was even thinking but judging from the paper he had in hand, I knew what he'd come for.

My heart constricted in my chest and I perked up.

He raised the paper slightly.

"Promised you I'd get it," he said, his voice clipped, controlled.

He walked over to the bed, setting it on the nightstand.

He straightened up and tucked both his hands into his pockets.

"You really want to do this?" He asked quietly and I shook my head before a small sigh escaped me.

" I don't have another option, Adrian. He's watching us and my sister..." I trailed off.

"I can get her over here, immediately. She'd stay here with us, so you'd know she's safe," he said and I raised my eyes to meet his.

Deep, beautiful brown eyes. An emotion crossed them before he shook his head and took a step back.

"Your mind is already made up, I see." He muttered, he let out a breath. "Let me know when you've signed, so we can go on with the rest of the procedures," he added, stared at me for a long second, his lips pressing into a thin line.

"I'm going for a ride. Don't wait up," he said, before he turned around and walked out. He shut the door behind him and I swallowed nothing staring at the door.

The silence in the room was loud, it didn't help that a divorce paper was just sitting on my nightstand waiting for me to pick it up and scribble my signature on it.

It didn't make things easier, not even by a long run.

My phone rang and I grabbed it from the nightstand, my fingers brushing the paper slightly.

It was an unknown caller. I hesitated for a second.

I don't usually get calls from unknown numbers, but well, this was also my business line and even though it was quite late to call for business by 7pm.

Clients are always right.

I picked up, bringing the phone to my ear.

"She picked," someone sneered from the background and I frowned.

"Who's this?" I asked and there was a deep chuckle in the background.

"Let's quit the introduction and go to the most important part," whoever it was said and I heard the groan of a woman in the background.

"Well, Astrid, we have your mum here with us," the voice said and cold slithered up my spine.

"And no, she isn't safe. So for her to be, you have to come here yourself and that too alone,"

I shook my head.

"Don't listen to them Astrid!" Mum screamed from the background and another groan followed almost immediately.

I was rooted to where I sat.

"Don't try playing smart on us. I'll text you the address, come alone," the voice said before the line went dead.

I still sat motionless, trying to come to terms with the fact that my mum had been kidnapped.

Kidnapped.

I got off the bed, grabbed a shirt with some pants and wore it. I was panicking, my thoughts were scrambled.

I also grabbed the divorce paper, tucking it into my pocket.

He was behind this. I had a feeling that he was. Motherfucker.