Chapter 4
1122 Words
Avery walked into the abandoned building, heart racing like an F1 engine. She’s never been to this part of Boston before. The same question kept echoing in her head: Who is this person? And why would they abduct her sister and bring her all the way here?
That's some next-level cruelty.
The same question kept echoing in her head: Who is this person? And why would they abduct her sister and bring her all the way here?
The sight of a man welcomed her gaze. Dark coat. His back turned to her.
Her breath hitched. She froze. Scanned the room—empty. Just her and the mystery man. No Amber.
‘I know that hair.’ She thought, eyes narrowing.
“How long did it take you to find this place?” the man said, his baritone voice cutting through the silence.
Avery’s stomach stopped.
“Carter?”
He turned.
“Yes, it’s me.” His eyes flicked over her. “Wow. You look stunning, Avery. Or should I say… Raye Vaughn?” He scoffed and took a step closer.
The room seemed to darken with his presence. Anxiety shot down her spine.
“Where’s my sister?” Avery demanded her voice cracking. “Please don’t harm her.”
“Oh!” Carter threw his head back, giggling like she just told a joke.
Avery froze.
“You fell for that.” He said. “I couldn’t reach you, and I knew you’d never agree to see me. So I got creative.”
“What are you talking about?” Avery snapped, her fear almost shifting to rage.
“Relax. Amber is safe. But that depends on you.” His voice tightened.
“What do you want?”
“A lot of things. But before we get to that, maybe you should see for yourself that she’s okay.”
“What did you do to her?” Avery shouted.
“Nothing!” Carter retorted. “You want proof?”
Avery hesitated.
Carter was unpredictable. Dangerous. Just imagining what he might’ve done to Amber made her knees weak.
“I want to see my sister.” She muttered.
“Exactly what I thought.” A crooked smile spread across his face. “Come with me.”
***
“What the hell is going on, Atlas?” Harper burst into the room, voice sharp with panic.
Atlas frowned.
“Good morning to you, too, grumpy manager. Ever heard of knocking?”
“Have you checked the internet?” Harper snapped, ignoring the jab.
“Not really. There’s nothing—”
“Your face is everywhere, man. And not in a good way. We're in deep s**t. Someone’s trying to bury you.” Harper paced the room, breath coming fast like his lungs might give out.
“What?” Atlas grabbed his phone and opened it.
“Rising Actor Atlas Williams Caught in Rehab Three Times – Is He Hiding a Dark Habit?”
His eyes widened. A photo of him—exhausted, dazed—sat beneath the headline.
“This is false!” Atlas barked, spinning toward Harper. “I’ve never touched drugs in my life!”
“That’s not all.” Harper’s voice dropped. “There’s more.”
Atlas scowled and kept scrolling.
“Former PA Accuses Atlas Williams of s****l Harassment on Set”
A video played. A woman with a blurred face gave an interview, accusing him of s****l misconduct. She claimed to have evidence. Claimed he used drugs. Claimed he couldn’t remember things conveniently.
“What the f**k!” Atlas shouted his voice cracking. “I don’t even know this woman—I’ve never seen her before in my life!”
Harper clenched his jaw. “You haven’t seen the worst one yet.”
He kissed his teeth and shook his head. “All this started the moment you started seeing that girl.”
“What girl are you talking about?”
“The one you slept with last—”
“Shut up!” Atlas snapped. “Don’t talk about her like that. She—”
Another notification buzzed on his phone.
“Woman Claims Atlas Fathered Her Child and Abandoned Her”
Another video. Another accusation. A woman claimed she met Atlas before his rise to fame. Said they had a child. Said he vanished.
“Oh God,” Atlas choked. A tear slipped down his cheek. “Is this a f*****g dream?”
“Someone’s orchestrating this, man,” Harper said. “And if I had to guess—it’s Avery’s ex-husband.”
Atlas froze. “Avery was married?”
Harper didn’t flinch. “You need to let her go. She’s not worth your career.”
Another ping.
“Atlas Williams Linked to Embezzlement through Charity Appearance”
Atlas’s knees buckled. He collapsed to the floor and passed out.
“Atlassss!” Harper yelled, rushing forward.
***
“Make yourself comfortable,” Carter said as they stepped into the dimly lit living room.
“Comfortable?” Avery scoffed, scanning the space in one swift glance before snapping her gaze back to him. “Where is my sister?”
“Let me pour you a glass of wine,” he said, completely ignoring her question.
“I’d go to a bar if I wanted wine,” Avery growled. She started pacing. “Amber! Amber, it’s me—where are you?”
“Stop yelling,” Carter muttered, rolling his eyes.
“Where is she?” Her voice cracked. “What did you do to her?”
“Alright, alright.” Carter dropped onto the sofa with a sigh. “Amber’s not here.”
“What?” Avery barked. “Start talking or I swear, I’ll call the cops.”
A wave of unease surged through her. The thought of losing Amber was unbearable.
“Can you calm down and just listen?” Carter snapped.
Avery dragged a hand through her hair, heart thundering.
“She’s not here because I didn’t abduct her,” Carter finally said. He stood and walked toward her.
“What are you saying?” Avery’s eyes narrowed. “The photo you sent—”
“It was a plan,” Carter admitted with a smirk. “I knew you’d never agree to see me, so I got creative. And hey, it worked.”
Avery stepped in and slapped him. Hard.
“Are you insane?” she yelled.
“I still love you, Avery,” he murmured, eyes dark. “Please… come back home.”
“You’re sick,” she spat. “Try this again, and I’ll have you arrested.”
She turned and stormed out, heart burning with betrayal and fury.
But beneath it all, her worry deepened.
Amber still wasn’t picking up her calls.
- Writer
