Chapter 5: The Kidnapping

★Sienna's POV★

“Thank you so much, Doctor,” I said sincerely to Dr. Perez, the physician in charge of my mom and Kuya Steve’s treatment. He gave me a gentle nod, his expression kind but tired.

Mama and Kuya were still unconscious, but at least their vitals had stabilized. Their wounds were slowly healing, and Mama’s surgery was scheduled for next week. I couldn’t imagine what might’ve happened to them—or me—if I hadn’t accepted Denver’s offer. Honestly, we probably would've been kicked out of the hospital by now, left on the street with nothing but unpaid bills.

I walked over to their beds, careful not to make a sound. My heart ached seeing them like this—so still, so fragile.

“Mama… Kuya…” I whispered, brushing some hair away from Mama’s forehead. “I’ll go ahead for now. I’ll visit you again soon, okay? Please… please get well.”

With a heavy heart, I quietly left the room.

I was on my way back to Denver’s mansion, just a few kilometers away. I didn’t ask anyone to accompany me—not even a driver. I didn’t want to bother anyone or seem like I was taking advantage. It was enough for me that Denver was taking care of my family. That was more than I could’ve asked for.

The streets were quiet. A warm breeze blew past, carrying the scent of Manila’s late afternoon—exhaust fumes mixed with street food. I was deep in thought, wondering how I’d manage everything from here on out, when it happened.

A black van screeched to a halt right in front of me.

What the—

Before I could react, two men wearing black masks jumped out and rushed toward me.

“Come with us,” one of them ordered gruffly.

“What?! Let me go! Hel—!”

A cloth pressed against my mouth, cutting off my scream. It smelled of something strong—chemical, suffocating. The world around me spun wildly before going dark.

★Denver's POV★

I had just gotten home from the office. For some reason, I felt restless all day. Something didn’t sit right with me. I even left early, which I never do, just to see Sienna. She’d told me she was visiting her mom and brother at the hospital.

“Manang Lita,” I called as I stepped into the mansion, “has Sienna returned yet?”

“She hasn’t come home since noon, sir,” the head housekeeper replied, concerned.

“No one was with her when she left?”

“No, sir. She refused a driver. She said she didn’t want to inconvenience anyone.”

I frowned. “You mean she went alone?”

“Yes, sir.”

A bad feeling settled in my gut. I pulled out my phone and dialed her number.

It rang.

And rang.

No answer.

I tried again.

Still nothing.

“Manong Tasyo, prepare the car. Now,” I ordered my driver, barely containing the urgency in my voice.

I opened the GPS tracker I’d discreetly installed on her phone after the wedding—just in case. At first, I’d debated whether it was too much, but right now, I was grateful I did.

She was no longer near the hospital.

Her location pinged from a warehouse—abandoned, near Fort Santiago.

What the hell?

Why would she be there?

My hands curled into fists. Something was wrong. Very wrong.

As soon as I got into the car, I called my best friend.

“Xandro. I need your help. I think Sienna’s been kidnapped. I’m sending you the location,” I said in one breath before forwarding the GPS coordinates.

Whoever did this… If they so much as lay a finger on her…

They’re dead.

“Manong,” I barked, my jaw clenched tight, “drive faster. If anything happens to her, I’ll never forgive myself.”

The car sped off, weaving through traffic as my pulse hammered in my ears.

★Sienna's POV★

I woke up to complete darkness.

My head pounded, my throat dry, and everything smelled like mold and dust.

“Where… am I?” I mumbled, my voice barely audible.

I tried to move—only to find my wrists and ankles bound. My breathing quickened.

Was I… kidnapped?

Panic set in quickly.

Why? Who would do this to me?

Was it one of Papa’s old creditors? Someone who thought my family had money? Or worse… someone who thought I was worth something.

Maybe they planned to sell me. Or harvest my organs. Or—

Oh God, please, no. I don’t want to die like this. I haven’t even had my first real kiss! I mean—yes, I was married, but it was just a contract. I hadn’t even felt married. I hadn’t had love. Real love.

And I wanted to see Mama and Kuya again. They needed me. I couldn’t die now.

Why didn’t they gag me, though?

“HELP! HELP ME! I’VE BEEN KIDNAPPED! PLEASE!!!” I screamed as loud as I could, even though my voice trembled.

A loud bang hit the metal door.

“Will you shut up?!” growled a man as he stepped inside.

His face was in shadow, the only light streaming in from behind him.

“What do you want from me?! Why did you bring me here?! Let me go!” I shouted, struggling against the ropes.

“We don’t want anything. But our boss does,” he sneered.

“Who? What boss? I didn’t do anything! I’m not even rich!” I cried out, but the panic in my voice only made them chuckle.

Another man entered the room. “Raul, why didn’t you gag her? She’s too loud.”

Raul.

Great. Now I had at least one name.

“Shut her up. We’ll be in trouble if the boss finds out she’s screaming like that.”

Raul approached me with a strip of duct tape.

“Don’t come near me! Stay away! HELP! PLEASE!” I screamed until he pressed the tape over my mouth, muffling my cries.

“Be quiet. You’ll get your answers when the boss arrives,” he said, and with one last look, they left, locking the door behind them.

I was alone again.

Tears streamed down my cheeks.

Why me? What did I do?

Tita Regina… could she be behind this? She always hated me. Maybe this was her way of getting me out of Denver’s life.

I tried again to free myself, but the ropes only bit deeper into my skin. My wrists were raw now, bleeding from friction.

“Please… someone, save me,” I thought, the pain and fear too much to bear.

Eventually, my strength gave out, and I slumped over, praying someone—anyone—would come before it was too late.