The world outside the estate was still reeling from the shocking unveiling of the press conference, but inside, Charles and Sofia found themselves trapped in a different kind of battle, one that was far more personal and far more dangerous.
Nathan had doubled security, yet something still felt off. A shadow loomed over them, an unseen force waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
And then, it did.
It happened too fast.
One moment, Sofia was walking down the hallway towards the
study, her phone in hand. The next thing, a rough cloth covered her mouth, a strong arm wrapped around her waist. A sickly sweet scent filled her lungs chloroform.
She struggled, kicking and clawing, but her vision blurred, her strength weakening.
The last thing she saw before darkness consumed her was the gloved hand tightening over her body.
When she woke up, the cold, damp air hit her first. Then, the pain. A sharp ache throbbed at the back of her head where she had been struck. Her wrists burned, bound tightly with coarse rope. The smell of rust and mold clung to the air.
A warehouse. Abandoned and hidden. She knew it before she even opened her eyes. Her heart pounded in fear as she struggled to move. The ropes dug deeper into her flesh. Panic settled in her heart, but she forced herself to stay calm.
A voice broke through the silence.
"Welcome to your worst nightmare, Sofia."
Pamela.
Sofia lifted her head, blinking through the dim light. Pamela stood a few feet away, arms crossed, a twisted smile of evil on her lips. Beside her, Wilson lounged against a table, flipping a knife between his fingers.
"Where is Charles?" Sofia rasped, her throat got dry.
Pamela chuckled. "Oh, he'll be here soon enough. And when he does, he'll have to make a choice."
Sofia's stomach twisted. "What do you want?"
Wilson grinned. "To watch you love birds suffer."
Charles Hell Back at the estate, Charles world went shattered the moment Nathan stormed into his office, pale faced and frantic.
"Sir. Sofia, she's gone."
Charles felt the air leave his lungs. "What?"
"Security footage someone took her. They knew the blind spots. It was planned."
Charles clenched his fists. "Pamela."
Then, his phone buzzed. An unknown number. With trembling fingers, he answered the call.
"Charles!" Sofia's voice. Strained from pain. Terrified.
His heart lurched. "Sofia, where are you? Are you hurt?"
A sinister laugh came on through the speaker. Pamela.
"Ah, Charles, always so noble. How does it feel, knowing you can't protect the one you love?"
His grip on the phone tightened. "If you touch her"
"Oh, I already have. But you can stop the suffering. Come alone. Abandoned warehouse on 9th. No Nathan. No security. Just you."
Click.
Charles stood frozen and confused, his mind went into chaos. He was blind. Helpless. But he couldn't let go of the one who is is his eye sight. he wouldn't leave Sofia to them.
"Nathan, I need your help. But I have to go alone."
Pain and Promises
Sofia gasped as Wilson yanked her up by her hair, forcing her to look at the door.
"He's here," Wilson sneered. "Let's see what your precious Charles a.k.a C.E.O is willing to do for you."
The door creaked open, and Charles stepped inside. He moved cautiously, his walking stick tapping against the concrete floor. But his face was not determined or revealed, his composure was firm although.
Pamela clapped her hands mockingly.
"Look at that. The great Billionaire Charles, walking into the lion's den. You must really love her."
"Let her go," Charles said, his voice deadly calm.
Pamela tilted her head. "Why should I? This is just too much fun and i love it."
Wilson yanked Sofia's head back. "She's been such a fighter. Maybe we should break her first, so you understand the stakes. "
Charles stiffened. "Don't you dare."
Pamela smirked. "Then here's your choice, Charles. Take her place. Let us have our fun with you instead."
Sofia shook her head violently. "No, Charles, don't!"
Charles breathed in deeply. Then, he stepped forward. "Do what
you want to me. But let her go."
Wilson grinned, cracking his knuckles. "Brave. But stupid."
Then the first punch landed.
Sofia screamed as Charles fell to his knees, blood spilling from his split lip. Wilson didn't stop. A punch to the gut. A kick to the ribs. Charles gritted his teeth, refusing to make a sound.
"Stop!" Sofia sobbed. "Please, stop!"
Pamela knelt beside Charles, gripping his chin. "Say it, Charles. Say you regret ever loving her. Say you'll leave her."
He spat blood onto the floor. "Never."
Pamela's eyes darkened. "Fine. Wilson, break his fingers."
Sofia thrashed against the ropes. "No!"
Wilson grabbed Charles hand, pressing a boot against it. Charles got tensed, bracing for the pain Then, gunfire.
Chaos erupted as the warehouse doors burst open. Nathan and a team of armed men stormed in. Wilson cursed, shoving Charles aside as bullets ricocheted. Pamela screamed as she was dragged away by security.
Nathan ran to Charles, helping him up. "We've got her, sir."
Sofia barely registered anything until Charles arms wrapped around her, his warmth anchoring her. "Sofia. Are you alright?"
She sobbed into his chest. "You stupid, stubborn man!"
He chuckled weakly. "Takes one to love one."
Then he collapsed.
"Charles!" Sofia cried, catching him as he crumpled to the ground, blood seeping through his shirt.
Nathan barked orders. "We need a medical personnel, now!"
Sofia pressed her hands against his wound, shaking him uncontrollably. "Stay with me, Charles. Please my love, stay with me!" "I am your sight" "I am your hope" She cried out in deep pains.
His eyes fluttered, his grip on her weakening. "Sofia... I love you."
Her heart cracked. "Then fight! Don't you dare leave your angel alone!"
As sirens wailed in the distance, she clung to him, praying that the man she loved wouldn't slip away.
Will The Love Continue?
To be continued...