My Husband Sold Me To The CEO

The balcony

The handle moved again. I couldn’t breathe. I stood beside the bed with my back pressed against the wall, watching the balcony door tremble beneath someone’s hand.

Whoever was outside knew exactly where I was. That was the part that frightened me most. I reached for my phone on the floor. My fingers had barely touched it when the handle stopped moving.

Silence— I waited, didn't hear anything from the other end. Then three soft knocks touched the glass. My heart nearly stopped. I grabbed the phone and ran toward the bedroom door. I didn’t bother turning on the lights.

The moment I opened it, I nearly collided with someone. Adrian— He caught my shoulders. “What happened?” I pointed behind me. “Someone is outside.” His entire expression changed. He stepped past me and entered the room. I followed. He looked toward the balcony, the door was closed. The curtains were still. Nothing appeared unusual.

Adrian walked closer. “Stay here.” “No.” He glanced at me. “I’m coming with you.” “No.” “I’m not staying behind while you check.” His jaw tightened.

For a moment, we stared at each other. Then he reached for the curtain. I grabbed his arm. “Don’t.” He looked down at my hand. “Why?” “Because what if they’re still there?” “Then I’ll deal with it.”

The certainty in his voice made me release him. He pulled the curtain aside, the balcony was empty. Adrian unlocked the door and stepped outside. I stayed just inside. He looked over the railing, then toward the trees. Couldn't find anything unusual.

He crouched near the floor. His fingers touched something. When he stood, he was holding a small black object. A camera. My stomach dropped. “That was pointed at the room?” Adrian looked at me. “Yes.”

“Someone was recording me?” “Apparently.” He walked back inside and locked the door. I stared at the camera.

“How long has it been there?” “I don’t know.” “Can you find out?” “Yes.” He took out his phone and made a call.

“Marcus. I need security footage from the east side of the property. Last twelve hours. Also check every camera facing the upper floors.” He ended the call.

I sat on the bed, my hands were shaking. Adrian noticed. “You should have told me about the message.”

“I did.” “Before that.” “I didn’t think it mattered.” “It matters.” His voice wasn’t angry. That somehow made it worse. I looked at him. “Why are you so calm?” “I’m not.”

He sat in the chair opposite me. “You just can’t see what I’m feeling.” I studied his face. For the first time, I noticed the tension in his shoulders. The way his hand was clenched. He wasn’t calm, he was only controlled. There was a difference.

“Did you know this would happen?” “No.” “Are you sure?” “Yes.” “Because you seem to know everything else.” His eyes held mine. “I knew Cole was dangerous.”

“You didn’t tell me everything.” “I told you enough to get you out.” “That’s not the same thing.” “No.” He accepted it without argument. That surprised me.

I looked down at my hands. “I shouldn’t have come.” “You can leave.” I looked up. He was serious. “Tonight?”

“Tonight.” “And go where?” “I’ll arrange security.” “Back to Cole?” “No.” The answer came instantly. I swallowed.

“Why?” “Because whoever sent that message wants you there.” He stood. “Which means going back is exactly what they expect.”

I remembered the photograph— Me outside the house. The words beneath it. You should have stayed with Cole. A cold shiver moved through me. “What if they hurt him?” Adrian’s expression hardened. “Cole chose his situation.” “He is still my husband.” “And you’re still his wife. That doesn’t make you responsible for his decisions.” I looked away. It was strange hearing someone say that.

Cole had spent years making his problems feel like mine. Adrian was the first person who seemed determined to separate them. A knock sounded, I jumped. Adrian immediately moved in front of me. The door opened. Mrs. Hale entered. “Mr. Voss, I’m sorry. Security found something.” She handed him a tablet.

He looked at the screen. Then his face went completely still. “What is it?” I asked. He didn’t answer. I stood. “Adrian.” He turned the tablet toward me.

The security footage showed the eastern side of the property. A black sedan sat beyond the gates. My heart began pounding. “When was this?” “Twenty minutes ago,” Mrs. Hale said. I looked at Adrian. “We’re being watched.” “Yes.” “Can security remove them?” “They’re already gone.” My stomach sank.

Adrian’s phone rang. He answered. “Voss.” A man’s voice came through the speaker. I couldn’t make out the words. Adrian’s expression changed. “Repeat that.” The voice spoke again, Adrian went silent. Then he ended the call.

“What happened?” He looked at me. “Cole has disappeared.” The room seemed to tilt. “What?” “His house is empty.” “Maybe he left.” “His phone is still there.” I stared at him. “What does that mean?”

Adrian’s eyes darkened. “It means someone took him.”

My chest tightened. “Who?” “We don’t know.” “Then we have to find him.” Adrian shook his head. “Not yet.”

I stared at him. “He’s my husband.” “And someone just proved they can reach you.” “You expect me to sit here?” “I expect you to stay alive.” I hated that answer.

I hated even more that part of me knew he was right.

Then Mrs. Hale spoke softly. “Mr. Voss, there’s one more thing.” Adrian looked at her. She held out a small envelope. “This was left at the front gate.” Adrian took it.

My name was written across the front. Sienna Hart.

I felt the blood drain from my face. He opened it. Inside was a single sheet of paper. He read it. His jaw tightened. “What does it say?” He handed it to me. I looked down at it. There were only two lines. The thirty days have already begun. And if you want your husband alive, you will leave Adrian Voss before sunrise.

I read it twice. Then I looked at Adrian. He wasn’t looking at the letter. He was looking at me. “Don’t worry,” he said quietly. I swallowed. “Why?” His eyes hardened.

“Because whoever sent this just made their first mistake.” “What mistake?” He took the letter from my hand. “They gave me a reason to stop protecting them.”

For the first time since I arrived, I saw the ruthless CEO everyone else feared. And I realized the person outside wasn’t the only one who had been waiting. Adrian had been waiting too. Only he wasn’t waiting to run. He was waiting for someone to make the first move.