Emily
He sauntered there for a while before his stiff face melted into a smile. It felt like seeing the girls torturing themselves with fear gave him his share of peace. I didn't think he was ready to face the girls with their fear written all over their faces. The fear in their eyes only made it easy for men like this to prey on them. He came closer to me as he knew me earlier; there was something on his face that felt like I was deeply content with him.
It was clear that he might have known me, and she had told me that he sorta had this flare of knowing these girls personally before giving them off or allowing them to stay kidnapped. They were running a successful ring and it pissed me even more to think that all of these were happening right under our roses. I wanted to protest as he treated the girls even worse. He kept choosing them and everything that they were clinging to tell before their eyes.
I wanted to help them in the ways that I could but she held my hands down, stopping me from making every move. After taking some of the girls away, he turned to me with a knowing glare. The girl beside me became scared, and he laughed at us.
"It must be nice knowing that you have that effect here," I spoke not knowing when my words came out. The girl beside me gasped, and I gulped. Knowing that everything could shatter before my eyes wasn't helping at all.
I scolded myself.
"And what kind of effect am I giving here?" His French accent didn't give way for his English to flow well from his mouth.
The stress was beginning to eat away at me. Every passing day without Emily felt like sand slipping through my fingers. She had been my ticket to everything—wealth, power, and respect. And now, she was gone. The irony of it all wasn't lost on me. I'd once imagined the day I'd be free of her, free to enjoy the benefits of everything she brought into my life without having to deal with the baggage of our arranged marriage. But now, with her disappearance, I realized how desperately I needed her back. Not out of love—I wasn't foolish enough to call it that—but because without Emily, everything I'd built was at risk of collapsing.
My affair with Celine wasn't helping either. If anything, it was making things worse. The physical distraction wasn't enough to chase away the thoughts that plagued me at night. Emily was always there, in my mind, in my dreams, and haunting me during the day. No matter how many times I found myself in Celine's arms, it was Emily's absence that kept gnawing at me. She was supposed to be the anchor, the steady piece in this arrangement. Without her, everything felt out of control.
I ran a hand through my hair, staring at the pile of paperwork on my desk that had gone untouched for days. My PR team had called earlier, urging me to address the investors. Rumors of Emily's disappearance were spreading like wildfire, and the vultures were starting to circle. They wanted assurances. They wanted to know if their investments were safe. But how could I calm them when my own grip on the situation was so fragile?
I lied to them, of course. "She's on vacation," I'd told them. "A much-needed break from the city and the media." It was the same rehearsed line I'd given everyone else. They didn't need to know that I had no idea where Emily was, that I hadn't seen her in days, and that my contacts hadn't turned up any solid leads. I could almost hear the doubt in their voices, the skepticism. Soon enough, they would demand more than words, but for now, I bought myself some time.
I needed air, space to think. The walls of my office were closing in on me, suffocating me with every breath. I grabbed my coat and left, heading to Claude's restaurant. If anyone could offer me a brief reprieve from this nightmare, it was Claude.
When I arrived, Claude greeted me with his usual smirk, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of mischief and curiosity. He leaned against the counter, crossing his arms over his chest. "Well, well. Look who it is," he drawled. "The man who can't seem to keep track of his contract wife. Tell me, Cedric, has the beauty finally run away from the beast?"
I shot him a glare but couldn't help the bitter smile that tugged at the corner of my mouth. Claude always had a way of getting under my skin, but that was part of the reason I kept him around. He never sugar-coated anything. He knew exactly what Emily and I were, and he didn't bother with pretense.
"Not in the mood for your jokes today, Claude," I muttered, sliding into a seat at the bar.
He chuckled, pouring me a drink without asking. "You're wound up tighter than usual. What's going on?"
"What do you think?" I took the drink, swallowing it in one go. The burn of the liquor was sharp, but it was the distraction I needed, if only for a moment.
Claude leaned forward, his expression turning serious. "You've got to figure this out, Cedric. This can't go on much longer. The longer she's gone, the worse it looks for you. For your business."
I nodded, rubbing my temples. "You don't think I know that?"
"Maybe you do, but have you thought about what you'll do when she comes back?" Claude's tone was almost casual, but there was an edge to his words. "You're still treating this like a business deal. But Emily isn't just some asset. She's your wife."
"Contract wife," I corrected, my voice sharp.
Claude shrugged. "Wife, contract wife—it doesn't matter. The world sees her as your wife. And if you're smart, you'll start acting like it. The investors might not care about your marriage, but they care about appearances. And right now, your appearance is unraveling."
I clenched my jaw, resisting the urge to snap at him. Claude had a point, as much as I hated to admit it. But the truth was, I didn't know how to approach Emily anymore. I was conflicted. I wanted her back, but only because I needed her. Not because of any real feelings. Or maybe there were feelings—I didn't know anymore. All I knew was that having her close made things easier, and without her, everything felt uncertain.
"Mind your own business, Claude," I warned, finishing my drink.
Before he could respond, my phone buzzed on the counter. I picked it up, noting the number on the screen. It was one of my contacts, the ones I'd hired to track down Emily.
"What is it?" I asked, my heart thudding in my chest despite my attempt to remain calm.
"There's been a development," the voice on the other end said, tension in every word. "A kidnapping gang was arrested last night. A few girls were recovered."
For a moment, the world seemed to stop. My grip on the phone tightened. "Emily?" I asked, though I wasn't sure if I wanted to hear the answer.
"We don't know yet. You'll have to come down and see for yourself."
I closed my eyes, taking a slow breath to steady myself. "I'll be there soon."
I hung up and stood, my legs feeling unsteady beneath me. Claude was watching me, his expression curious but cautious. "What's going on?"
I hesitated, not wanting to give away too much. "There's been a development. A gang was arrested, and a few girls were recovered."
Claude raised an eyebrow, his casual demeanor gone. "You think she's one of them?"
"I don't know." My voice was low, controlled, but inside, a storm was brewing. "I'm going to find out."
Claude watched me for a moment longer before nodding. "Good luck, Cedric. But remember what I said. If she comes back… rethink your approach."
I didn't respond, turning away from him and heading for the door. My mind was racing, a hundred different scenarios playing out in my head. Was Emily one of the girls they recovered? Was she hurt? Was she scared? Or worse, was she gone for good?
I didn't know what to expect, but one thing was certain—I needed to find her. And when I did, I'd do whatever it took to keep her close, to secure what I needed from her, until the advantage was mine.
I just hoped it wasn't too late.
, this was me scolding myself and everything in between.
Now I had no reply to give to him. "I don't know. Maybe I will tell you if you tell me what the hell you are going to do with us." This said man laughs out our reactions and everything I had said.
"And what if I choose not to disclose this information?" He narrowed his eyes at me.
I chose silence instead. He picked another girl as they all shrieked, hugging each other in fear.
"Leave her alone," I yelled at him as he ordered the guards to hold on.
"Why should I listen to you?"
"Where are you taking them?" I tried to maintain a very good amount of impression, but it was only a matter of time before I was in with them. For a moment, I wanted to be taken so I could save other girls who had been trapped there or about to be taken advantage of.
He laughed again and dragged her off.
I tried to move, but this time, I had to think of my child and me. The safety of the child was more important; if I was going to do something risky, that would be the end of the child and me.
"Where do they take them to?"
"That has been the question you have been asking me since you got here. You are going to get yourself killed and drag me in the process." I glared at her. I couldn't wait and watch all of that happen. Then, when it was my turn, I would be prepared to die.
"Where do they take them to, what do they do to them?"
"Despicable things. You don't want to know. Sometimes, thru come back disoriented and worse than they were. This place does that to you. I think I have told you that. That's why I am weary that you are going to get yourself killed. This person just wants to run a successful business; they see us as chances for a lot of money, and who would pass up a lot of money just because they care about humanity ?"
I sighed. She had a point. I don't have to put myself in harm's way just because I wanted to find out what these people were up to. It was one thing to know if they were harming these women. Deep down, I just wanted to know what they would do to me, too; I was curious and, at the same time, scared. All these bastards cared about was money, and I knew I could give them that for my life. My supposed husband is capable of that but would I be alive to see the next day even after everything has been finalized?
"There is supposed to be a way out of here. I can't remain here, neither should you."
I hated myself for running away. I should have stayed out when Cedric sent someone for me. Deep within me, I hated the fact I had given myself and this unborn child a terrible state. I didn't know when my eyes threatened to sleep.
I saw the door burst wide open, making the next person who came through that door someone I knew. I could feel the hair on my skin rise.
Cedric.
"Let's get out of here."
"Hey, wake up." My eyes snapped open. It was a dream I got immersed in. I guessed deep down that's what I wanted. For me to get out of here through Cedric's help. I knew that it wasn't ideal; this was the same man who wanted to kill my child, but then I couldn't help the relief I felt in my bones.
"It seems you were having a nightmare." I stared at the girl that had stayed with me since I got here.
Her concerned look, only made reality dawn on me. I gathered my knees to my chest and burst into tears. "I don't want to be here; I just want to get out of here."
She consoled me for a while. "I am not the time to be optimistic but trust me, believe you will be out of here in no time."
The door banged open, and the girl they had carried out before tossed her back. She was in a horrible state, shivering on the ground as if she were locked in ice.
One of the cruel men stared at her with disgust, "She isn't strong." He spat as he found his way out banging the door behind him.