CH 2: THE NIGHTMARE I CREATED

Annie's POV

I created the nightmare I found myself in…

If I knew I'd be getting married to Tobin Voss, I would have found another way, maybe release her?

I never wanted it to come to this, but Claire left me no choice.

She has always taken what was mine. My boyfriend, my grades, even the attention from my parents. She knows how to twist things, how to make people see her as the golden one and paint me as the jealous sister. But the last straw wasn’t about a boy or a lecturer.

It was my scholarship.

That scholarship was my escape to my already hard life. I worked myself to the bone for it. Late nights, early mornings, no friends, no distractions, just books and discipline.

It was supposed to be mine.

My one way out of this crappy life that I live.

But Claire, as usual, couldn’t stand to see me have something she didn’t. She flirted with one of the board members and somehow convinced him to hand it over to her.

When the letter came and it had her name on it instead of mine, I felt something break inside me. I knew right then she would never stop until she had taken everything.

And I couldn’t let her keep winning.

That’s why I planned it. The kidnap. I knew my parents well enough. With Claire gone, even just for a while, they would panic. They’d do anything to save face, to protect their perfect daughter. If it meant putting me in her place, be it as a substitute bride or anything else, they would agree.

And I’d finally get what I wanted.

Not just for the scholarship. Not just for the boyfriend. For every single time she looked me in the eye and smirked after stealing what was mine.

But, now? At what cost? I had been blinded by rage that I didn't weigh the cost of my decisions.

“What are you talking about?” I asked Claire with a straight face.

“I knew you did this to me!” She yelled.

“How? Everyone thought you died, Claire. I didn't know about all these until you were proclaimed missing. I thought you went clubbing as usual. So, don't you blame me for your mistakes.”

Suddenly, Tobin pointed a gun at me. “You kidnapped your sister? Steal her place?” He asked.

I knew death was near, I knew quite alright that I would die tonight. So, I needed to give it my all.

“You're no different, Tobin. Just because you succeeded in doing yours doesn't mean you weren't wrong. I'm also trying to protect myself too. She stole everything that belonged to me! Then why is it wrong to steal what she wants just for this one time?” I lamented.

Tobin's gun was still pointed at me and I could see his guards all staring at me.

“But, one thing I won't do is kill. I told them to release her after the wedding and threatened her never to come around you unless she'd die for real.” I added as I watched Tobin.

After a few seconds, he dropped his hand slowly. “Get out and I don't want to ever see you again. The next time I do, I'll kill you.” Tobin responded, turning around and walked inside.

As they went inside, I got a glimpse of Claire's face — She gave me that evil smirk, like stating that she won.

There was no cab in sight. I kept looking down the road, hugging myself against the cold. My fingers were numb, and I could feel the sting in my nose. I hated walking at night like this. Then I saw headlights. A car was coming from the direction I was headed.

Finally, some luck. I waved both arms. The car slowed and stopped right in front of me. I let out a breath, relieved, but before I could even say thank you, the doors opened, and two men jumped out.

“Wait… What are you doing?” I shouted.

One grabbed my arms, twisting them painfully behind my back, while the other covered my mouth. I kicked, but they were stronger. They shoved me into the car.

“Let me go!” My voice cracked, but it didn’t matter. A hard blow to the side of my head made everything spin and then fade to black.

When I opened my eyes, my body ached. My wrists and ankles were tied tight with rough rope, cutting into my skin. I was sitting on a chair in some empty room with peeling walls. A dim light bulb swung above me.

I panicked immediately as I pulled against the ropes until I felt the burn.

Then I heard a voice. It was calm, confident, and dangerous.

“Well, well. The wife of Tobin Voss.”

I looked up. The man in the middle, looking clearly as the boss was staring at me with his men standing around him.

I barked out a laugh, even though my stomach hurt like crazy. “Wife? You’ve got the wrong idea. Tobin doesn’t want me. He exiled me from his life. Whatever deal you’re planning, it won’t work.”

The man’s smile didn’t fade. “We’ll see about that.” He pulled out his phone and dialed. My heart began to race when I heard him say Tobin’s name. He didn’t explain much, just made it sound urgent enough. Then he hung up.

*He won’t come. Why would he come?* I kept on muttering to myself.

But after a few minutes he did.

The door opened, and Tobin walked in with his men. He looked the same as every other day; cold, controlled, and untouchable. For a second, stupidly, I thought maybe he was here to save me.

The boss stepped forward. “Tobin. I have something you want.” He gestured at me.

Tobin’s eyes flicked toward me, then back at him. His face didn’t change.

The man continued, “Let’s make a deal. She’s useful to you, yes?”

Tobin’s voice was mean and direct. “Whatever you want to do with her, do it. I don’t care.”

My chest squeezed and I gulped down air into my throat. Did I just hear him right? My pulse hammered in my ears. What would I have expected anyway?

He turned, gave a small signal, and started to leave. Just like that.

“Tobin!” I screamed, my voice breaking. “You can’t just leave me here!”

He didn’t look back. His men followed him out.

The boss chuckled. “See? He doesn’t care. That makes this easier.” He walked closer until he was right in front of me. “You’re nothing but bait. And now you’re useless. Do you know who you actually are? I bet not.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Don't worry, time will tell and you will find out. But, I don't think you'll ever find out.”

He motioned to one of his men, who pulled out a gun. My whole body shook. My heart was pounding so hard I thought it would explode. I pulled at the ropes again, desperate, but they cut deeper into my skin.

“This is it,” I whispered to myself.

The man aimed at my head. My chest rose and fell fast. My eyes stung.

*This is how it ends. He really left me to die.*

Then the shot went off.

I flinched, but nothing hit me. I opened my eyes. The man with the gun was on the ground, blood pooling beneath him.

I looked behind me and I saw Tobin.

“Tobin?” I muttered under my breath.

He was there, standing in the doorway, gun in hand. His men flooded in behind him, opening fire. Shots rang out, echoing in the small space. I screamed and pressed against the chair as the fight went on.

One by one, the guards dropped. Until only the boss was left, trembling.

Tobin walked toward him slowly. Calm, collected, like he wasn’t even fazed. “I rule this town,” he said above a whisper. “You don’t bargain with me. I take what I want, whenever I want it.”

The boss tried to say something, but Tobin raised his gun and shot him point-blank.

Silence.

I was still shaking when two of Tobin’s men rushed over to untie me. The ropes finally fell off, leaving raw marks on my skin. My hands trembled.

Tobin turned to leave. Just like that with no words. He didn't even try to stare at me.

I couldn’t take it. “Are you going to kill me too?” I asked, my voice shaking. “This is the third time you’ve seen me. Why not finish it now?”

He paused, half-turned, his eyes meeting mine.

“Against all odds, the contract still stands,” he said. “And I have my own way of punishing you.”

Then he walked out, leaving me stunned. My mind was a mix of emotions. Did he really care about me?

What is he really thinking?

I watched as his men helped me up and we trailed behind him.