His Beautiful Redemption

Stolen Midnight

Elaine stood outside Drew's apartment, The California sun blazing against her skin. She adjusted her bag on her shoulder and knocked twice. The door opened almost immediately revealing Drew with that soft grin he reserved only for her, that made her feel like home.

"Happy birthday baby" he said pulling her into his warm embrace. His scent- A burst of fresh pines and ocean mist that filled her lungs

"I thought you forgot" Elaine teased, her voice small

"How could I? forget the day the universe brought my angel into this world? Never" he said leading her inside

She let out a small laugh as he lead her inside, his place was a little bit messy- clothes scattered, duffel bags half zipped but there was excitement in his eyes.

"pack your things princess, we are going out of town" he turned to look at her with shinning eyes.

"what? when? but how Drew" Elaine was srhocked

"You'll see princess " he stepped closer caressing her face

"you've had a rough few days and I want to take you out to a place where it's just us, no emergencies, no sirens.

Her heart softened.He was trying even though he didn't have much he still wanted to make her happy, this brought tears to her eyes

Later that day- Pacific Ocean Highway

Elaine leaned her head against the window as the car rolled past the coastline. Her hair danced with the wind, and for the first time in weeks, she smiled.

“Do you like it?” Drew asked, glancing at her from the driver’s seat.

“I love it,” she said, her voice sincere.

She looked out at the ocean and thought about how fragile her life had always been. Her parents died when she in highschool. She was left in the care of her grandmother, Margret.

Her grandmother’s health had been failing lately, and every paycheck Elaine earned went to the hospital bills. That was why she worked so hard why she’d chosen medicine in the first place to save others the way she couldn’t save her own mother.

Oceanview Resort – Sunset

The sky burned gold and purple as waves kissed the shore. Elaine and Drew stood barefoot in the sand, her sundress fluttering around her knees.

“This is beautiful,” she murmured.

“You’re beautiful,” he replied softly, his thumb brushing her jaw.

She smiled shyly, and he kissed her slow, steady, full of the kind of warmth she thought love was supposed to feel like.

When they pulled apart, Drew reached into his pocket. Her breath caught when she saw the small velvet box.

“Elaine Dawson,” he said, voice trembling slightly, “I know I can’t give you much — not fancy cars or a big mansion — but I can give you a heart that will never stop choosing you. Will you marry me?”

Her eyes welled up instantly. “Drew…”

“Yes or no?”

“Yes,” she whispered, nodding.

He slipped the ring onto her finger and kissed her again, laughter breaking through their tears. For that brief moment, the world seemed to hold its breath just for them.

Nightfall

Elaine lay curled in Drew’s arms on the resort bed, the sea humming softly beyond their balcony doors.

“I love you,” he murmured against her hair.

“I love you too.”

He got up to grab a bottle of wine, telling her he’d be back in five minutes. She nodded sleepily, her body sinking into the sheets.

The lights flickered.

At first, she thought nothing of it. Then they went out completely.

“Drew?” she called out.

Silence.

Her pulse quickened. The air felt heavier, colder. She sat up, reaching for her phone — but before she could move, something sharp pricked the side of her neck.

Her body went limp before her mind could even register the fear.

When she opened her eyes again, it wasn’t sunlight she saw it was gold chandeliers. The sheets beneath her were silk, the air perfumed and foreign. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears as she sat up quickly.

“Drew?” Her voice cracked. She swung her legs off the bed and realized she wasn’t at the resort anymore. The walls were dark marble. The windows tall and draped in velvet.

She stumbled to the door, tried the handle. Locked. Panic crawled up her throat.

“Drew!” she shouted, slamming her palm against the door. “Where am I?!”

“Stop shouting.”

The voice was low, rough.

Elaine froze. Her eyes darted toward the corner of the room.

He was there. Standing in the shadows. No mask this time. Blond hair slicked back, a faint scar tracing the line of his jaw. His shirt hung open at the collar, revealing a glimpse of bandaged skin and muscle underneath. The same man from that night—the man with the gun and the impossible eyes.

“You,” she breathed, her body going cold.

Nicholas Galatzine’s gaze dragged over her slowly, dangerously, like he was memorizing the sight of her. “You remember,” he murmured. “Good.”

“What—what do you want from me?” Her voice shook despite her effort to sound strong.

He didn’t answer immediately. He just walked toward her, each step calm, deliberate. She backed away until her back hit the wall. The space between them filled with tension so thick it was hard to breathe.

“You disappeared,” he said quietly. “And I don’t like when things I want… disappear.”

Her eyes widened. “You can’t just kidnap me! I have a life someone’s looking for me”

“Drew,” he interrupted coldly, his voice slicing through her words like a blade. “Yes. I know.”

Elaine’s throat went dry. “You how do you know his name?”

He reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. She flinched, pressing herself harder against the wall. For a heartbeat, their eyes met hers, terrified, he's unreadable. Then he pulled back, turning toward the door.

“Rest,” he said, his voice deep and final. “You’ll need it.

He stepped out, locking the door behind him.Elaine sank to the floor, tears rolling down her cheeks.

All she could think of was if Drew was okay. She knew she shouldn't ask this lunatic about him.She was not sure what he'll do to him, that's if he was still alive.