Where are you, Katlyn?

Chapter 7

We were already inside the hospital room when I rushed toward the bed, my chest tightening at the sight of Nairovi.

“Nai…” I whispered, moving closer. 

For a moment, her eyes lifted to mine, dazed for a moment, then she suddenly froze — like seeing me hurt her all over again. I leaned down and wrapped my arms around her, trying to comfort her, but she shoved me away with surprising force.. 

She pushed me off like my touch stung.

Before I could say anything, the door opened behind me.

Hayden stepped inside with slow, controlled strides. His hands were tucked into his pockets, shoulders broad, face unreadable. The second Nairovi saw him, everything in her expression changed. A spark lit up her eyes — hope, longing, disbelief all crashing together like she’d been waiting for him and only him. 

She immediately pushed herself up from the bed, the white blanket pooling on her lap as she straightened her posture. 

“Hayden!” she blurted out, practically glowing. “I knew you couldn’t resist me for long. I knew you’d come back.” 

Her hands clutched the blanket as if she was preparing to throw herself at him. The hope in her eyes was painful to watch. 

Hayden didn’t answer. He stayed still. 

I turned away, already thinking of leaving them alone. After everything that happened, maybe they needed privacy. 

“Excuse me,” I said softly. “I’ll step outside for a moment.” I bowed politely toward her and started to walk past Hayden. 

But he suddenly grabbed my wrist while looking at me. 

My breath hitched. What the hell is he doing? I glared at him, confused and irritated. “What the hell are you doing?” I whispered sharply. “Let go of me!” pulling my hand back. 

Instead of letting me go, he wrapped his arm around my waist. 

Nairovi’s expression shattered. She turned away, her mouth falling open as tears welled up instantly. She whipped her head back toward him, voice trembling.

“Stop… stop trying to make me jealous! Hayden, please enough!”

His grip tightened for a second, voice low so only I could hear. “Don’t leave me here, Katlyn. Stay with me.”

My heart softened for a second, but the situation was a mess. This wasn’t right.

“I’m here because I’m with Katlyn,” Hayden said firmly, turning to Nairovi. “And I’m not leaving until she leaves with me.”

“Can you shut up?!” I hissed under my breath. 

Nairovi stared at him like her heart broke right in front of us.

“Get out!” she suddenly screamed. “Both of you! Get out!”

I stepped forward quickly, hands raised. “Nai, please–listen to me. I need to explain. The wedding, all of this–it’s not real. I don’t love him. He doesn’t love me. I’m trying to—” 

She didn’t let me finish. She grabbed anything near her — tissues, the tray, the small plastic vase, and threw them blindly, screaming as tears streamed down her face. 

Her breathing turned erratic, her chest rising too fast. She was pregnant, this level of stress wasn’t good for her. 

I had no choice but to leave. I backed out of the room and turned away as the tears finally burst out of me. I didn’t want to see Hayden, didn’t want him near me, didn’t want to hear his voice.

He called my name the moment I stepped into the hallway.

“Katlyn–wait!”

I ignored him. I walked faster and faster until my vision blurred. My phone vibrates nonstop in my hand.

Hayden calling…

I declined. 

A second later,

Hayden calling…

I declined again.

My heart was pounding so hard it hurt. I didn’t know where I was going. I just kept walking until I reached the underground parking lot – dark, cold, mostly empty at this hour. My screen lit up again with another call.

Where are you, Katlyn?

I felt like someone was watching me. It was already past 1 A.M., and everything felt wrong.

I slowed down, turned around, but no one. No footsteps. 

Just rows of parked cars and vans under dim lights.

I kept walking.

Suddenly, a white van sped past me. My heart jumped. I froze on the spot.

What if someone was following me?

I shook my head. Maybe I was overthinking.

But then another white van passed—slower this time. 

My pulse hammered in my ears.

Then it stopped. Just a few feet ahead of me.

A chill crawled up my spine.

I quickened my pace, my footsteps fast and uneven. The van’s engine growled, louder and deeper, and then it surged forward.

Panic shot through my chest.

I broke into a run. “Help! Somebody help me!” My voice cracked from fear.

“Katlyn! Where are you?!” Hayden’s voice echoed from somewhere behind me.

Relief hit me—and then dread crashed right after.

“Hayden! Help!” I shouted, pulling out my phone with shaking hands. I swiped to answer the call, breathless and terrified.

Before I could speak, the van’s side door slid open with a violent slam.

Three men in black masks jumped out.

Guns. Covered faces. Heavy boots.

I screamed, “Aaaaaah!” as loud as I could.

They grabbed me with terrifying strength, their hands cold and rough as they dragged me backward. My phone fell from my grip, clattering on the pavement. Hayden’s voice was still on the line, distant but desperate, calling my name over and over.

“No! Let go of me! Help!” I kicked and fought, but they were stronger. The van door slammed shut. The engine roared. I struggled thrashing with all the strength I had left. One of the men pressed a cloth over my mouth. A sharp scent flooded my nose. My body weakened instantly.

My vision warped.

My limbs went numb.

Hayden’s voice faded.

Everything faded.

And then…

....only darkness.