LOGINAfter a long, terrifying drive, the driver turned onto an unmarked gravel track that led to a solitary, weathered house perched on the cliff’s edge.The engine died.I looked out of the window nervously, my heart racing.I couldn’t find the other car anywhere around.“Where… where is my daughter? Please… please. I want my daughter,”I sobbed, my whole body shaking uncontrollably.They ignored me.The man on my right opened his door.“Out.”I didn’t move.A paralyzing fear had locked my joints. If I got out of this car, into that dark house—who knows what would come next?“I said, out!”He snapped at me, then reached in and closed his hand like a cuff around my upper arm before hauling me out of the car.I stumbled, my knees buckling on the gravel.“Shit… she’s bleeding,”the other muttered.“We gotta be more careful,”the second replied.I didn’t understand why it was an issue—for me to bleed—when they had every intention of hurting me.Soon they flanked me, each taking an arm, and ma
This can’t be happening. “I… I don’t know what you are saying. You’ve got the wrong woman,” I stammered. “Mommy, why is your heart beating so much?” Angel asked. Tears came but I fought back. “Mommy, are we back home?” she asked again. “No… sweetie, please stay by my side,” I replied trying to steady my voice. “Your daughter is a very pretty girl. No need to act like a coward, Mrs. Hunter. We were very informed about you, and a very huge reward is waiting for us. I will ask you to cooperate,”the cab driver said. My heart was close to exploding. “Name your price… you mustn’t touch my daughter. Please, I beg you… let us go,” I pleaded. “Name our price? Well, this is hard… you see, you can’t give us more than a billionaire—unless you want us to consider some other parts…like your daughter's virginity." I slapped him. Gosh. I slapped someone I was supposed to beg to spare my life. He was shocked at first, then a smirk curled his lips. “I see… you are a strong Black woma
I choked the thought back. “Especially because I’m a mother. I need to be careful with strangers around my daughter. Extraordinarily careful. I will repay you…surely but for now I want to this myself,if you are really a good man, I believe you will understand my fear.” He nodded slowly. “I understand.” “Thank you. Also since you paid for this suite,” I added, gesturing to the room, “you should stay here. Live a little luxury. Don’t go back to that… rat-infested area. It’s unhealthy.” He nodded again with an argument. I sighed. “Alright, I guess we are done here.” I walked into the living room, only to see Angel sprawled on the floor, blissfully asleep. An empty plate sat nearby, and her little tummy was swollen with food. She had a slice of pizza in her tiny hand. “Baby?” I whispered, kneeling beside her. I brushed her hair back and gently pecked her forehead. Her eyes fluttered open, heavy with sleep. “Mommy?” “Hey, honey. Come on, let’s go.” “Where?”
I turned slowly, my eyes wide with a disbelieving shock that rooted me to the spot.“What did you just say?”He let out a weary sigh.“You heard me, didn’t you?”“Of course I heard you! Are you playing some kind of stupid game with me? Are you saying I don’t get to decide if I leave this hotel with my daughter?”I asked as my heart hammered against my ribs.“Listen to me, Charlotte.”“No, you listen!”Fueled by a surge of protective fury, I took a brave step forward, closing the distance between us.“I don’t care what your motive is, but when it comes to my child, I won’t stop fighting. Not until my last breath.”He simply stared at me in silence, which made it even more unsettling.“What are you staring at?”I snapped.“I admit that came out wrong. The truth is, I can’t lose you… not again.”A cold dread trickled down my spine.Is he a psychopath?“Lose who?!” I demanded, my voice tightening.He was silent.I scoffed, a harsh, incredulous sound.“Have you gone crazy?! Tell me, John,
His expression didn't change.“I know what you are.”"Then you know why I can't. It's not about...your appearance.""Choose one."He said, his eyes getting darker.I was confused."Choose what?""You gave me two reasons: widowed and divorced. Two of them are the reason you won't be with me. I can get rid of that bridge between us, so choose one."Okay, that was scary. Not sure if he meant it as I heard it in my head."Please, I don't understand, John.""Do you want him dead, or do you want to divorce him? Choose one, Charlotte. I am losing my patience."I blinked with my mouth open, completely speechless.I scoffed, then stopped, then scoffed again.My brain was trying to put everything together, yet it kept giving me no result.He said that with a straight face, which made it more uncomfortable."He has been nothing but an asshole to you. Why is it taking you so long to decide?"Did he just say "kill" randomly?No, I have to get Angel away. We have to get away from this man!Suddenly
The next morning, I woke up feeling heavy. Not sure if it was because I ate like a cow last night, or because I couldn’t sleep after thinking about him.Those words he said to me kept ringing in my head like bells. Fall in love with him, huh?More like fall deeper in love with him, because I don’t understand my heart anymore.I sighed and got out of bed.I stretched, then walked into the bathroom.A weight scale sat near the sink. I stepped on it.“How on earth did I gain weight in under two days?” I muttered.I wasn’t complaining—just surprised.I picked up my phone, hesitating for a second before unlocking it.I just wanted to check something.If I was ovulating.Maybe that was why John had been stuck in my head like an annoying song.Just as the app finished loading, my phone rang.I froze.Fortunately, it wasn’t Marcus.It was my personal assistant.Still, my chest tightened.My career is at risk, but what if Marcus told her to call?I decided not to answer.I walked out of my roo







