Chapter Five:
Lily couldn't breathe.
Her mother's photo stared back at her from the phone screen. She looked confused, fragile, wrapped in a thin hospital blanket, sitting in the backseat of a dark car.
Lily's hands shook violently.
"No… no… no…"
She immediately dialed Ethan number.He picked up on the first ring.
"Lily?"
"They took her." she said with a "trembling voice".
Ethan was "shocked "
Lily continued,"they took my mum from the hospital."
His voice hardened instantly and asked lily if she was sure about what she said.
Lily then" said"
They sent me a picture. They signed her out pretending to be family."
"Stay where you are. I'm coming."
Her voice cracked.
"I ended things… I stayed away… why are they still doing this?"
"I don't know," he said quietly. "But I'm not letting this continue."
She sat frozen.
Minutes later, she heard tires screech outside.
And someone knocked at the door.
She rushed to the door.
Ethan entered quickly .
"What did they send?" he asked.
She handed him the phone.
He stared at the photo.
His jaw tightened.
"They want leverage."
Her voice trembled.
"What do they want from me?"
"They want you out of my life completely."
"I already did that!"lily said
But Ethan told her that it was not enough for them.
Her chest tightened.
"What do we do?"
He looked at her and said that he will call the police."
She nodded immediately.then he dialed the number.
Within twenty minutes, two officers arrived. They took notes, copied the photo, asked questions.
"Do you recognize anyone?" one officer asked.
"No," Lily whispered.
"Any enemies?"
She laughed weakly and replied.
"I'm a waitress… I don't have enemies."
The officer nodded.
"We'll issue an alert."
But Lily could see it in their eyes that it was complicated,Powerful and Hard to trace.
When they left, silence filled the apartment again.
"I'm scared," she admitted.
Ethan stepped closer.
"I know."
"They took my mom…"
His voice softened.
"We'll get her back."Ethan replied
She looked at him and said,
"You sound so sure."
"yes I am."
But even he didn't fully believe that.
Later that night, Ethan sat in his penthouse with Daniel.
"I traced the number," Daniel said.
"Anything?"
"It's a burner phone. Untraceable."
Ethan exhaled slowly.
"What about hospital cameras?"
"Already requested,so am Waiting for their feedback."
Ethan leaned forward.
"This isn't random."
"No."
"They knew Lily. Her mother and Her location."
Daniel nodded.
"They're watching closely."
Ethan's eyes darkened.
"Then we watch back."daniel said
Back at Lily's apartment, she sat curled on the couch.
Her phone felt heavy in her hand.
She kept staring at the photo.
Her mom looked confused… but not hurt.
That gave her hope.
Then her phone buzzed again.
Her heart stopped.
Another message. She said
She opened the envelope and there was a new photo.
This time… her mother sitting in a chair.
Inside a dim room.
Text below:
She's safe… for now.
Lily's chest tightened.
Her fingers trembled.
Another message followed.
You want her back?
Tears filled her eyes.
She typed immediately:
Yes. Please don't hurt her.
The reply came instantly.
Then listen carefully.
Her breathing slowed.
Her hands shook.
Cut Ethan Blackwood off completely. No contact. No calls. No messages. No meetings.then you and your mother will be safe.
Her heart sank.
She glanced at Ethan sitting across the room.He was working on his laptop.Trying to find her mom.
Another message arrived.
If you disobey… she disappears.
Her chest tightened painfully.
She didn't know what to do.
Ethan looked up and asked,
"What is it?"
She hesitated.
She didn't want to hide things.
But if she told him… they might hurt her mom.
"What did they say?" he asked again.
She swallowed.
"They… they want me to stop seeing you."
His eyes hardened. And he said that he expected that."
Her voice cracked.
"They said if I don't… my mom disappears."
Silence filled the room.
Ethan closed his laptop slowly.
"This is manipulation."
"I know… but it's my mom."
"I'll find her."
"What if they hurt her before then?"
He didn't answer.
Because he couldn't guarantee that.
Her eyes filled with tears.
"I can't risk her life, Ethan."
He looked at her carefully.
"You're thinking of agreeing."
"I have to."
"And let them control everything?"
"At least my mom comes home."
He stood and then said "This won't end if you give in. They'll keep using her."
"What choice do I have?!"her voice broke.and there was silence among them.
Then he spoke softly.
"Trust me."
She shook her head.
"I'm trying… but she's all I have."
Her phone buzzed again.
Another message entered.
She opened it.
You have one hour to decide.
Her breathing became uneven.
Ethan saw the panic in her eyes.
"Lily…"
"I need time."
He nodded slowly.
"I'll give you space."then he moved towards the door,Before leaving, he stopped and did to lily that"Whatever she decide… that he is still here."then he left and closed the door.
Lily sat alone,Timer ticking.
One hour.
Her mom's life,her heart.
Her future.
Everything was just on the line, running through her memory.
Thirty minutes passed.
Then her phone buzzed again.
She opened it quickly.
It was another photo of her mother… now tied to a chair.
Lily gasped and said"No…"
Text below:says
Time is running out.
Tears blurred her vision.
Her fingers trembled.
And She typed:
I agree. I'll stay away from him. Please let my mum go.
They replied immediately and said.
Prove it.
Her heart pounded.
She asked How?
Three dots appeared.
Then the final message came.
And Lily's face turned pale as she read it.
Call Ethan… and tell him you never loved him.