Two hours

Fiona’s POV

My heart hammered violently against my ribs, every beat threatening to crack them open. I felt a fabric pressed tightly against my eyes, sealing me in suffocating darkness. Marian’s fingers finally released my chin, but the ghost of her grip lingered on my skin. Even without sight, I could feel the weight of her cold stare savoring the terror that radiated from me.

A soft chuckle escaped her lips, sending a fresh chill racing down my spine.

“Relax, Fiona.”

Her voice was deceptively soothing, like poisoned honey.

“I don’t intend to kill you, maybe not immediately. Because if you agree with me, you do deserve to be killed.”

My breathing came in shallow, ragged gasps, my chest rising and falling too quickly. The ropes binding my wrists behind the metal pole bit deeper into my flesh with every twitch, rubbing raw against my already tender skin. The warehouse air was thick with dust and dampness, clinging to my lungs.

“What… What do you want from me? I already left Jalen alone, I'm not going back to him anymore, just let me go.” I whispered, my voice cracking despite my effort to sound steady.

“Oh, sweetheart.” Marian laughed quietly, the sound low and intimate, as if we were sharing a secret. “Unfortunately, I don’t need him anymore. You made me realize my worth, you made me realize how lonely and unhappy I've been. But…”

My face twisted beneath the blindfold, I wondered what she wanted this time.

“You are simply a tool.” she continued.

Her words landed hard on me like a slap. She started pacing around me in slow circles. The click of her heels echoed off the bare concrete walls and high ceiling, creating an eerie rhythm that seemed to close in on me. Each step built a heavy tension inside me, reminding me how utterly alone and helpless I was.

“You just happen to be Jalen’s greatest weakness.”

She stopped directly behind me. I could feel the heat of her presence.

“And I will use you to get what they want.”

A surge of fear snapped inside me after she spoke those words.

“I think you should just kill me already because Jalen doesn't want me anymore. He’ll never give in to you.” My voice rose, trembling but gaining strength, hoping I sounded convincing enough to her.

I strained against the ropes again, the fibers burning into my wrists as I twisted desperately. The pole behind me was unyielding, cold metal pressing into my back.

The warehouse suddenly erupted with Marian’s laughter. She sounded so cruel, and mocking. The sound drilled into my skull, relentless and dehumanizing.

Then, without a warning, I felt a burning explosion of pain across my cheek. The force whipped my head sideways, my shoulder slamming hard into the pole. I crumpled to my knees, the crash jolting through my bones. Hot tears flooded my eyes beneath the blindfold, spilling over as I fought back a whimper.

Marian crouched beside me, her expensive perfume—floral and sharp—enveloping me like a shadow.

“First,” she whispered coldly, her breath brushing my ear, “you stole my husband.”

She seized a fistful of my hair and yanked my head upward with vicious strength. Pain bloomed across my scalp.

“And now you’re standing here preaching to me about how brave and noble he is?”

Her grip tightened mercilessly, I struggled to muffle my scream, the pain was unbearable but I couldn't bring myself to be weak in front of her.

“Listen carefully, you stupid girl.”

Her voice dropped to a venomous whisper that promised more agony.

“If he doesn’t give me exactly what I want, you die.”

A broken sob tore from my lips before I could hold it. She released my hair abruptly, letting my head fall forward. I sniffled quietly, biting my lip until it bled to stifle the sounds of my terror. I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of hearing me break completely.

Marian reached into her handbag, the soft rustle of fabric heightening my dread.

“I think it’s time we reminded your precious Jalen exactly what’s at stake.”

She dialed a number. The phone rang only once before connecting.

“Marian.”

Even through the speaker, Jalen’s voice—deep, edged with fury—flooded me with a desperate wave of relief.

Marian’s smile was audible in her tone. “You have exactly two hours, Jalen. Two hours to meet my demands.”

Jalen’s voice came out cold and blunt. “Where is Fiona?”

“Oh, she’s right here.” Marian glanced at me, her amusement palpable. “She’s keeping me company.”

“You touch her and I swear—”

“You’ll do what?” Marian interrupted, her smile widening into something predatory.

“I warned you already.”

Jalen’s breathing grew heavier. “Marian.” He sighed heavily, his tone shifted, calm now, but dangerous.

“Don’t put a finger on her. I’ll do whatever you want.”

My eyes widened beneath the blindfold, fresh panic surging through me. No, Jalen… don’t.

The raw vulnerability in his voice broke something inside me. “Leave her out of this.” He added.

Marian threw her head back and laughed, the sound echoing cruelly once more.

“You’ve got two hours.”

She disconnected the call with a decisive tap.

The warehouse fell into a long silence. Marian looked down at me, satisfaction dripping from every movement.

“Let’s see how much he really loves you.”

Jalen’s POV

The second the call ended, I slammed my fist onto the desk with bone-jarring force. “Damn it!”

Papers scattered. The entire office fell deathly silent, every eye turning toward me in shock. I snatched up my phone and called Mason. He answered before the second ring.

“Hey man, you’ve got any changes?” he called.

I ran a trembling hand through my hair, gripping the strands tight. “Marian called. She has Fiona.”

“Did she reveal anything?” He asked.

“Nothing useful.” I forced a deep breath, trying to steady the storm raging inside my chest. “She only said I have two hours.”

“Alright, don’t panic, I’ll mobilize all my men to get to work right away.” He answered and hung up.

I stared at the phone in my hand, thumb hovering over Harry’s contact as my heart thumped with a familiar fear, the memory of my promise to him was louder, I promised to protect her.

If Harry knew now, he would never trust Fiona with me again. He’d involve the police. Marian would likely kill Fiona and still get a chance to escape.

No. I had to handle this my way.

I grabbed my phone and dialed another number instead.

Paris answered, her voice thick with sleep. “Professor?”

“Paris. I’m sorry to disturb you but I need a favour,” The urgency in my tone snapped her awake instantly.

“What’s wrong?”

“If Harry calls asking where Fiona is…” My throat tightened painfully. “Tell him she’s with you.”

“What? Is she okay?”

“She is, I just need to steal her for a while,” I answered and she giggled quietly.

“Okay, professor.”

“Thank you.”

The call ended and I didn't waste time in grabbing my car keys, the metal biting into my palm as I stormed out of my office.

Fiona’s POV

Marian slipped her phone back into her handbag with deliberate slowness before stalking toward me again. She grabbed my hair without warning, wrenching my head back sharply. I cried out, the sound echoing weakly in the small space.

“Let’s see how fast your savior really is,” she whispered, her voice dripping with wicked delight, She released me and immediately made another call.

“It’s me,” she said. “Are you done packing everything?” she asked. I strained my ears to hear the voice on the call but it seemed impossible. “We leave the moment I’m finished here,” she added.

My stomach plummeted. Leave? Were they preparing to kill me and disappear into the night? The fear settled heavily in my chest, making every breath a struggle.

Minutes later, Marian placed another call. The calls were endless but this time, I recognized the voice on the other end immediately.

Dad.

“What do you want this time?” Marian laughed softly, the sound chilling.

“Relax. " I just have a little something for you,” she said. I screamed from where I was, hoping Dad would hear me, and he did.

“Fiona! Why do you have my daughter, Marian?" he shouted, raw fury and terror intertwining in his tone. “You monster!” he added.

“Temper, Harry.” Her tone was mocking, playful even.

“What have you done to my daughter?”

“Nothing yet, I just needed her to get something important from Jalen's hand, and if he doesn’t comply, you can kiss your princess goodbye.”

Dad’s voice shattered. “Do not hurt my daughter or I'll kill you, I swear.”

It was the first time I had ever heard my strong, unbreakable father sound so utterly helpless. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably.

“Please don’t hurt my little girl,” he added.

“Dad…” My whisper barely escaped my lips. He couldn’t hear me this time.

“I’ll give you anything,” he begged, voice fracturing further. “Money. Property. Everything. Just let her go.”

Marian smiled—I could hear it. “I don’t want your money.”

“Then what do you want?”

“I want Jalen.” She emphasized each word with lethal precision. “Tell him to hurry.”

She glanced at her watch. “My patience is running out.”

Before Dad could respond, she ended the call.

The silence afterward was deafening, broken only by my quiet, shuddering breaths.

Jalen’s POV

My phone rang immediately after I zoomed off in my car. It was Harry.

I answered without hesitation.

“What did you do?” he roared, his voice shaking with a volatile mix of rage and heartbreak. “You promised she was safe with you!”

“I know.”

“No you don’t! My daughter has been kidnapped again because of you! You pieces of shit.”

My heart twisted in pain as his words hammered harder against it.

Harry’s breathing was so ragged that I could hear it rise and drop over the phone “If anything happens to Fiona…” His voice cracked completely. “I’ll never forgive you and I will drag you down to hell. You have just an hour to get my daughter back to me”

I was supposed to be mad at his choice of words but I completely understood him. Even I won't forgive myself if anything happens to Fiona.

“I’ll get her back, Harry," I answered.

“You’d better,” he responded and hung up without another word. I let out a shaky breath and matched harder on my accelerator. My knuckles whitened on the steering wheel as I pushed the car faster through the city streets.

Fiona’s POV

Time became a torturous enemy, crawling by with agonizing slowness. I had no idea how many minutes—or hours—had passed while I knelt there in the darkness. My knees ached against the concrete. Every distant creak, faint drip of water from somewhere in the warehouse made my body jolt with fresh adrenaline. My muscles burned from the constant tension, and the blindfold had grown damp with sweat and tears.

Then—

A loud bang shattered the silence. The heavy warehouse door swung open violently, crashing against the wall. Footsteps approached heavily.

A new leather, stale cigarettes, and cheap, overpowering cologne struck my nose. My blood ran ice-cold. I recognized that smell the instant I sniffed it.

The footsteps halted directly in front of me. Someone crouched low. Large, rough fingers seized my chin with bruising force, tilting my face upward.

I trembled uncontrollably then a slow, guttural chuckle filled the air between us.

“Hi little bitch…” he finally spoke.

Jordan.

My entire body locked in frozen horror. I knew I was in for another episode of brutal lashing, one I couldn't prepare for.