Chapter5: Kidnapped
895 Words
She was both happy and terrified. Will he walk again?
Austin's eyes filled too. "Selene."
She crossed the room on shaking legs.
"I thought I lost you," she whispered.
He motioned to the nurse. She helped him down.
Right there—on the greasy floor, customers, clinking forks—he dropped to one knee.
"Will you marry me?"
Shock, Joy all in one. She couldn't hold back the tears anymore.
"Yes." No hesitation.
She knelt too, arms wrapping him, lips finding his. Salt and relief.
The restaurant hushed, then erupted—murmurs, applause, strangers witnessing something raw.
He slipped the ring on, his hands trembling.
"My life's a mess. My family is worse. I've hurt you more than I can fix."
She laughed brokenly. "That's the most honest you've ever been."
"I'm done hiding."
She wanted to believe it.
But trust scarred slower than skin.
The mark on his collarbone peeked out—a violent reminder.
"Don't scare me like that again."
"Promise."
He stood. Pulled her close into a hug.
Then swayed. Eyes rolled back.
He collapsed.
"No—not again!" Selene's voice cracked. "Babe, wake up!"
The Nurse rushed. Ambulance again.
Blackness swallowed him.
Two hours later, Selene sat by his bed. Fingers tracing his wrist. Machines beeped steadily. He stirred, eyes cracking open weakly.
The door opened.
Diana stepped in, owning the space.
Her gaze dropped to the ring.
Darkness flashed.
"So this is betrayal up close."
"You shouldn't be here," Selene said.
"Funny. I was about to say the same."
Austin groaned. "Diana. Leave."
She ignored him. Stepped closer to Selene. Too close.
"You think almost killing him buys you forever?" Voice velvet over steel. "Or this ring?"
"I didn't push him."
"No. You just... exist." Diana's smile was poison. "Men like Austin don't keep waitresses."
Selene met her eyes. "And women like you don't keep love."
The air crackled.
Diana smoothed her coat. "Enjoy the engagement."
At the door, she paused.
"While it lasts."
She left.
But the threat lingered like smoke.
Selene gripped Austin's hand tighter.
Diana wasn't done.
And neither was the danger.
.............................
Austin was discharged three days later, pale but stubborn.
Selene moved back into the penthouse temporarily, ignoring the voice in her head screaming this was a mistake. The place felt colder now—like the walls remembered every lie whispered inside them. Marble floors echoed too loudly; floor-to-ceiling windows framed the city like a glittering cage.
At night, Austin woke gasping, sweat-soaked, fingers clutching her like she'd vanish if he let go.
"Headlights again," he whispered once, voice raw.
She pulled him closer, heart hammering against his. "I'm here. I'm right here."
But the words tasted thin. Unease had already settled in her bones.
Her phone started glitching—calls dropping mid-sentence, messages hanging unsent. One morning she found the front door unlocked, though she swore she'd turned the bolt twice. Another evening, a black SUV idled across the street, engine low, windows tinted.
Austin caught her staring out the window.
"You're scared," he said quietly.
She forced a shrug. "Just tired."
He didn't buy it. Didn't push either. That scared her more.
That night she couldn't sleep. Austin's breathing evened out beside her, but her mind raced. The penthouse felt too big, too quiet, walls listening. Diana's parting words looped: While it lasts.
At dawn, she slipped into the kitchen, made tea she didn't touch, and stared at the city lights below. This was supposed to be safe. Instead, it felt like stepping into someone else's war.
Her phone buzzed. Unknown number.
Nice ring.
Fingers numb, she typed: Who is this?
Dots danced. Then: Tell Austin congrats. He always rushes into bad decisions.
She deleted the thread. The chill stayed.
When Austin woke, he caught her forcing a smile.
"You're staring," he said.
"Just making sure you're real."
He took her hand. "Talk to me."
She hesitated. "Later."
His jaw tightened. He hated that word.
Victoria Blake called that evening. Austin's parents hadn't even visited the hospital—too busy, always too busy. He paced while talking, voice low and edged with anger. When he hung up, he stopped in front of Selene.
"She knows," he said.
"Knows what?"
"About Diana. How manipulative she is. What she's capable of." He met her eyes. "She thinks Diana won't stop until you're gone."
Selene let out a dry laugh. "Comforting."
"I'm serious."
"So am I." Her voice softened. "I won't live hiding."
But fear curled tighter in her chest.
Two days later, the shift ended past 11 p.m. Restaurant nearly empty. She stepped outside, apron folded, street too quiet.
Her Phone rang. Austin.
"Hey babe, we closed late. No cabs this way, so I'm walking to the next stop. Sorry, I didn't call sooner—you were worried?"
"By this time? You can't walk those streets alone. I'm on my way. Stay put."
"I'm fine. You worry too much." She ended the call, scanning the dark.
Three steps.
A hand clamped over her mouth from behind. A Cloth laced with sharp chemicals pressed hard over her nose. She thrashed, muffled groans, nails digging into the arm, but her strength drained fast. Her World tilted. Lights smeared.
The Last thing she heard was: a woman's voice, calm and satisfied.
"Finally."
Austin's chest seized—no reason, just dread. He grabbed the keys and sped out.
"
- Writer
