Kidnapped

In Circles....Dark

I stepped back immediately, though every instinct in me wanted to remain beside her.

Watching her suffer while being unable to help was torture.

Dr. Jason quickly examined her before preparing an injection.

"Greg," he said calmly, "she's awake, which is a very good sign. But her body has been through severe trauma. The poison affected her entire system. She's experiencing intense pain."

I swallowed hard.

"Will she be okay?"

He looked at me briefly before nodding.

"She has survived the worst part. Right now, she needs rest."

Without wasting another second, he carefully administered the sedative.

Within moments, Cara's breathing became steadier.

Her body gradually relaxed.

The painful cries stopped.

She drifted peacefully back to sleep.

Only then did I release the breath I didn't realize I had been holding.

I slowly walked to her bedside and gently brushed a strand of hair away from her face.

A faint smile found its way onto my lips.

"Welcome back, my stubborn little wife," I whispered.

"You scared me."

"I thought I had lost you forever."

My fingers carefully wrapped around hers.

This time...

I wasn't letting go.

.....

Greg was relieved that Cara was finally alive, but seeing her suffer through such unbearable pain shattered his heart. Dr. Jason had no choice but to sedate her once again while Tracy administered the final healing dose. Slowly, Cara's breathing became steady, and the room fell into silence.

One after another, everyone quietly left the room. Dr. Jason returned to his bedroom to rest, while Tracy and the others gathered in the sitting room. Greg, however, refused to leave Cara's side. He remained seated beside her bed, watching every rise and fall of her chest as though his own life depended on it.

When dinner was prepared, everyone came to eat except Greg. No amount of persuasion could convince him to touch a single bite.

Five long hours later, Cara's eyelashes fluttered.

Her eyes slowly opened once more. This time, they adjusted to the brightness almost immediately. The pounding headache had disappeared, and the unbearable pain that had tormented her body was gone.

She blinked several times before lifting her gaze.

The first thing she saw was a pair of beautiful eyes staring back at her with overwhelming relief.

"Where... am I?" she asked weakly. "What happened to me?"

Instead of answering, Greg simply stared at her.

A warm drop landed on her cheek.

Confused, she raised her hand and touched her face before looking at him again.

He was crying.

Greg... crying?

She had never imagined someone as cold, intimidating, and ruthless as him could shed tears.

Before she could say another word, he suddenly pulled her into his arms.

He held her tightly, almost desperately, as though letting go would mean losing her forever.

"You're alive..." he whispered hoarsely.

Then he laughed through his tears.

"I thought... I lost you."

Before Cara could react, a loud growl escaped from her stomach.

Greg froze for a second before bursting into laughter.

"Damn," he chuckled. "Even your stomach wants everyone's attention."

Without wasting another moment, he hurried out of the room.

Cara covered her face in embarrassment.

"Seriously?" she groaned softly. "You just had to betray me now?"

Despite herself, a small smile escaped her lips.

"This man is... unbelievably handsome."

Outside the room, Greg nearly collided with Dr. Jason, who was carrying a tray of rice and salad.

"I'm sorry, Doc," Greg said sheepishly. "I wasn't looking."

Dr. Jason smiled knowingly.

"It's alright. I figured she'd be hungry once she woke up."

He handed the tray over to Greg before gently patting his shoulder.

"Go take care of your wife."

Greg nodded gratefully before hurrying back.

As soon as he entered, Cara looked up.

For the first time since they met, she truly looked at him.

She had been too angry before to notice.

Now she couldn't stop staring.

How can one man look this... beautiful?

She mentally scolded herself.

No... men aren't supposed to be beautiful.

But Greg was.

His perfectly shaped pink lips...

Those calm yet piercing eyes...

His broad shoulders...

His tall frame...

Everything about him looked unreal.

She quickly looked away.

Cara... what is wrong with you? Stop staring at him.

Her heart, however, had other plans.

Just imagining his gentle hands holding her again made her cheeks burn.

"Oh no..." she thought.

"He's coming closer."

Greg smiled softly as he approached the bed.

"I'm glad you're alright."

His voice was unusually gentle.

"If I could take all your pain away, I would."

He paused.

"I'm sorry..."

"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you."

Fresh tears gathered in his eyes as he gently wiped them away.

Cara looked at him, confused.

"It's okay," she whispered softly.

"I'm fine now."

"See? I'm alive."

She managed a faint smile.

Greg placed the tray beside her before scooping a spoonful of food.

He held it near her lips.

She immediately turned her face away in embarrassment.

"You need to eat," Greg said patiently.

"Your body needs strength to heal."

Without giving her room to argue, he patiently fed her one spoon after another until he was satisfied that she had eaten enough.

After setting the tray aside, he stood up.

"I'll be back."

Just before reaching the door, he noticed a loose strand of hair covering her face.

Without thinking, he reached out and gently tucked it behind her ear.

Cara looked directly into his eyes.

"If you're truly sorry..."

"Then let me go."

"Stop threatening my parents."

"I'll forgive you immediately."

Greg froze.

For a brief second, pain flashed across his face before it disappeared.

"What makes you think I'm threatening your parents?" he asked quietly.

"I'm not a monster, Cara."

"Your parents have known about my feelings for you for a very long time."

"I simply didn't reveal myself until everything got out of hand."

Cara frowned.

"I don't understand."

"What do you mean everything got out of hand?"

Greg sighed.

"Try to get some rest."

"We'll talk later."

He turned toward the door.

"Greg..."

Her trembling voice stopped him.

"Please..."

"Just let me go."

"I'm not even that beautiful."

"You can have any woman you want."

"So why me?"

"My parents only have me..."

"Please..."

Tears streamed freely down her cheeks.

Greg looked at her one last time.

His jaw tightened.

"Never."

With that single word, he picked up the empty tray and quietly walked out.

Cara stared blankly at the closed door.

Sleep refused to come.

She tossed from one side of the bed to the other.

How am I supposed to spend the rest of my life with the man who kidnapped me?

He could have chosen anyone.

Women would probably line up just to be with someone who looks like him.

The thought alone made an unfamiliar feeling tighten inside her chest.

Jealousy.

She quickly shook her head.

"What is wrong with me?"

She buried her face in the pillow as silent tears soaked the sheets once again.

---

Greg

When I returned a while later, Cara had finally fallen asleep.

Her breathing was calm.

Peaceful.

But faint tear stains still marked her cheeks.

Carefully, I brushed them away with my thumb.

"I know I hurt you," I whispered.

"But I won't let another man have you."

"I'll protect you from now on."

"I promise."

"And one day..."

"You'll learn to love me."

I quietly left the room and walked into the sitting room where my head bodyguard was waiting.

"Listen carefully."

"No one must know my wife is alive."

He nodded immediately.

"Return to the mansion. Inform everyone that Mrs. Greg survived, but if anyone breathes a single word outside this house..."

My expression hardened.

"They will die."

"And bring fresh clothes for both of us."

"We're spending the night here."

"Yes, Boss," he answered before leaving.

Only then did I look at Tracy.

"For the first time since all this happened..."

"Thank you."

"I'll grant your request."

"And I'm sorry for your family's loss."

Tracy lowered her eyes.

"Thank you."

"This is my battle now."

"Anyone who crosses me will pay."

"Your father chose the wrong enemy."

"I'm sorry for saying that to your face."

I shook my head.

"You don't have to apologize."

"I know exactly how ruthless my father is."

"If you're going to fight the devil..."

"You must be even more careful."

"I'll arrange a safe house for you."

Without another word, I walked back toward Cara's room.

The moment I disappeared upstairs, Tracy pulled out her phone.

She dialed a number she knew by heart.

The call connected.

"Mr. Vicson..."

Her voice was cold enough to freeze blood.

"You thought you could destroy my family and walk away?"

A dangerous smile appeared on her lips.

"You have no idea what I'm capable of."

She ended the call.

Miles away, Mr. Vicson shot up from his chair.

His breathing became uneven.

"No..."

"That's impossible."

He immediately called one of his bodyguards.

"Bring me the recording of Tracy's execution!"

He roared into the phone.

"No one survives something like that."

"No one."

Yet, for the first time in many years...

The ruthless billionaire felt something he hadn't experienced in a long time.

Fear.

After the bodyguard delivered the video of Tracy's execution, my father hurried back to his study, determined to watch it again.

He played it once.

Then twice.

Three times.

By the tenth replay, cold sweat had soaked through the back of his shirt. His once-confident expression slowly crumbled into one of disbelief. His face grew pale, his breathing uneven, and for the first time in years, genuine fear settled into his heart.

He leaned closer to the laptop screen, narrowing his eyes as though staring harder would somehow change what he was seeing.

"This... can't be possible," he muttered under his breath.

His heartbeat accelerated.

No matter how many times he watched the footage, the outcome remained the same.

Yet something felt terribly wrong.

His instincts, the very instincts that had kept him alive for decades, refused to accept what his eyes were seeing.

Suddenly, his vision blurred.

His legs gave way beneath him.

Thud!

His body hit the polished floor with a loud crash.

Outside the study, the bodyguard stationed at the entrance immediately rushed inside.

"Boss!"

Seeing Mr. Vicson lying motionless on the floor, panic spread across his face.

"You! Call the ambulance!" he shouted to another guard before bending down to lift his unconscious master.

Just as he was about to carry him outside, Mr. Vicson's eyes snapped open.

"Put me down."

The guard froze.

"Boss..."

"I said put me down."

He immediately obeyed.

Mr. Vicson slowly adjusted his suit before rubbing his forehead.

His breathing had steadied, but his eyes remained frighteningly cold.

"Bring me my phone."

The bodyguard hesitated.

"Boss... shouldn't we call the family doctor first?"

Mr. Vicson slowly turned toward him.

"What..."

"...did I just tell you?"

His voice wasn't loud.

It didn't need to be.

The icy tone alone was enough to make the guard tremble.

"I... I'm sorry, Boss."

Without another word, the bodyguard sprinted toward the study to retrieve the phone.

---

Mr. Vicson

The moment the guard disappeared, I began pacing around the room.

Something wasn't adding up.

No.

Something was terribly wrong.

A dead person cannot simply come back to life.

Unless...

My thoughts stopped.

Impossible.

Tracy died.

I watched the footage with my own eyes.

Yet why did my instincts keep warning me?

Why did it feel as though someone had quietly declared war on me?

I clenched my fists.

"I am Vicson."

"I am the lion no man dares provoke."

"No one."

The door opened.

"My phone, Boss."

I snatched it from the bodyguard's hand before he could even finish speaking.

Without wasting another second, I searched for Greg's number and dialed it.

If anyone knew what was happening...

It would be him.

The phone rang.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

No answer.

I immediately dialed again.

This time, the call connected.

"Hello, Dad."

The calmness in his voice irritated me.

"How dare you, Greg!"

I exploded.

"What kind of game are you trying to play with me?"

There was a brief silence.

Then Greg answered.

"What are you talking about?"

"What have I done now?"

His confusion sounded genuine...

Almost too genuine.

"You dare tell me Tracy is dead?"

I shouted.

"What trick are you trying to pull?"

"If you think hiring someone to impersonate her will scare me, then you're wasting your time."

"I don't care if you bring a hundred women pretending to be Tracy."

"My decision remains the same."

"You will marry the woman I chose."

"Marriage among people like us isn't about love."

"It's about influence."

"It's about power."

"It's about securing the future."

"You'd better understand that."

For a few seconds...

Neither of us spoke.

Then Greg finally sighed.

"So that's all I am to you?"

His voice became colder.

"A business transaction."

"A political alliance."

"A bargaining chip."

"I finally understand."

He paused briefly.

"And for the record..."

"I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about."

"I don't have enough free time to hire people just to frighten the lion who enjoys crushing others."

His sarcasm was unmistakable.

Before I could respond, he added,

"If that's all, then I'm hanging up."

The line went dead.

I lowered the phone slowly.

The room suddenly felt strangely quiet.

Could I have been wrong?

Was the call really just someone's sick prank?

I replayed every word Greg had spoken.

Nothing suggested he was lying.

Gradually...

The tightness in my chest eased.

Perhaps I was overthinking everything.

After all...

The dead cannot return.

Feeling slightly calmer, I placed the phone on the table and headed toward my bedroom.

Tomorrow...

I would investigate further.

---

Greg

The moment I ended the call, I slipped my phone into my pocket and walked outside.

I needed to speak with Tracy.

There were boundaries that had to be established before things became even more complicated.

I understood exactly what my father was capable of.

More than anyone else.

Growing up under him taught me one lesson—

Power meant everything.

People...

Feelings...

Lives...

They were all expendable if they stood in the way of his ambitions.

I wasn't like him.

Despite everything I had done...

Despite kidnapping Cara...

Despite forcing her into my life...

There were still lines I refused to cross.

Some people deserved justice.

But revenge had a way of consuming everyone involved.

I found Tracy sitting quietly in Dr. Jason's living room.

"Tracy."

She looked up.

"Can we talk outside?"

Without asking questions, she stood and followed me.

We walked in silence until we reached the garden.

Once we were far enough from the house, I stopped.

Turning to face her, my expression remained unreadable.

I still didn't trust her.

She had saved Cara.

For that, I owed her more than words could express.

But trust...

Trust was something else entirely.

"Did you call my father?"

I asked.

She didn't hesitate.

"Yes."

Her voice remained calm.

"Is there a problem?"

For several seconds, neither of us spoke.

Finally, I answered.

"No."

I took one slow step closer.

"But don't involve me in your war with him."

"My fight with my father ends here."

"I don't know whether you're alive or dead."

"I didn't hear anything."

"I didn't see anything."

"After we leave this place, if you need to contact me..."

"Do it over the phone."

"Don't ever come looking for me in person."

"Do you understand?"

She studied me quietly before nodding.

"I understand."

Then her expression softened slightly.

"And you'll keep your promise about protecting my siblings?"

"I will."

She nodded once.

"Thank you."

I turned to leave before speaking again.

"When you're ready..."

"Leave quietly."

"No one needs to know where you went."

Without waiting for her reply, I walked back toward the house.

That chapter of my life was finally over.

Now...

Everything I cared about was inside this building.

Cara.

I couldn't afford another mistake.

Not after almost losing her once.

My father would eventually strike again.

He always did.

This time...

I'd be ready.

As I entered the house, I immediately began searching for Cara.

It didn't take long before I found her.

She was standing in the hallway, visibly upset, muttering complaints under her breath.

A small smile found its way onto my face.

Even while angry...

She looked beautiful.

I simply stood there for a moment, enjoying the sight of her.

It felt peaceful.

Like watching sunlight after surviving a storm.

Then, without warning, she marched straight toward me.

Her eyes narrowed.

"What did I do?" I asked, genuinely confused.

Her answer came in the form of a punch.

Right in my stomach.

I doubled over slightly.

Before I could recover, she stormed into the guest room and slammed the door shut behind her.

Bang!

The sound echoed through the house.

Slowly, I turned toward Dr. Jason.

He was laughing so hard that he had to hold onto the wall for support.

I stared at him.

"What exactly is so funny, Doc?"

Still chuckling, he waved his hand dismissively.

"Oh, nothing."

"I just think..."

"You've found yourself one adorable little tigress."

He laughed again.

"You'd better watch your steps from now on."

Shaking his head with amusement, he walked away.

I stood there in silence.

Then realization finally hit me.

I couldn't help smiling.

"My little tigress..."

Still rubbing the spot where she had punched me, I slowly walked toward the guest room door.

.......

Tracy

After Greg returned to the mansion, I decided to take a walk while thinking about my next move.

The snake had finally been disturbed.

Now it was time to strike.

The image of my parents lying in their own blood flashed through my mind again, followed by the faces of every member of my family who had died because of one man. My chest tightened as tears rolled silently down my cheeks.

I quickly wiped them away with the back of my hand and took a deep breath.

No.

This wasn't the time to cry.

Crying wouldn't bring them back.

Revenge would.

For a brief moment, I almost believed Greg was trying to stop me from going after his father. Perhaps he still had some lingering feelings as a son. Or maybe he didn't want another war on his hands.

What a pity.

Because nothing—not even Greg—could stop me now.

An idea suddenly crossed my mind.

A slow smile spread across my lips.

Let's rattle the snake again.

I made sure I was far away from the estate before pulling out the phone. After checking my surroundings carefully, I dialed Mr. Vicson's private number.

To my surprise, he answered almost immediately.

"Hello, Mr. Vicson..." I said sweetly. "Or should I call you... Boss?"

There was silence for barely a second before his voice exploded through the speaker.

"You!" he barked. "Who the hell is playing games with me? Who paid you to imitate a dead woman?"

I laughed softly.

His breathing became heavier.

"So..." I whispered. "You remember my voice after all."

His tone instantly turned murderous.

"Listen carefully," he growled. "If this is some kind of prank, you'll regret it. Don't let me find you, because when I do, you'll beg me to kill you... and I won't."

A smile crept across my face.

Even now...

He still believed fear could control me.

"If you can kill the wind," I replied calmly, "then come and find me."

I paused long enough for my words to sink in.

"But before you do..."

"You'll already be six feet under."

His breathing stopped.

I could almost picture the anger twisting his face.

"You murdered my family," I continued, my voice trembling with restrained rage. "You thought killing them would erase your sins."

"You were wrong."

"I'll haunt every step you take."

"I'll invade your businesses."

"I'll invade your home."

"I'll invade your dreams."

"And one day..."

"I'll watch you lose everything you love."

Without waiting for his reply, I ended the call.

For the first time since my family died...

I smiled.

Not because I was happy.

But because I had finally planted fear inside the heart of the monster.

---

When I returned to Greg's mansion, the atmosphere was unusually quiet.

The servants moved around silently, almost as if they were afraid to breathe too loudly.

The house still carried the weight of grief.

As I stepped into the dining area, Dr. Jason walked out of the kitchen carrying a plate of freshly prepared salad.

The moment he saw me, he smiled warmly.

"There you are," he said. "You haven't eaten properly all day."

He handed me the plate.

"Eat something."

I accepted it with a grateful nod.

"Thank you, Doctor."

For a few minutes, neither of us spoke.

Then I finally broke the silence.

"I'll be leaving tomorrow."

Dr. Jason looked up immediately.

"You are?"

There was genuine concern in his eyes.

"Did Greg say something to you?" he asked quickly. "Did he bully you again?"

"If he did, tell me. I'll deal with him myself."

Despite everything that had happened, I couldn't help laughing softly.

"No," I said, shaking my head.

"He didn't."

"I just have something I need to do."

"I won't find peace until it's done."

"So please... don't misunderstand."

Dr. Jason studied my face for a few seconds before nodding slowly.

"I understand."

He gave me a small smile.

"Just promise me one thing."

"What?"

"Get some proper rest."

He chuckled lightly.

"You look like you've been fighting nightmares for weeks."

"I probably have," I replied with a faint smile.

He laughed before walking away.

I watched him disappear down the hallway before turning my attention back to the salad.

It tasted surprisingly good.

Maybe...

Just maybe...

Life could become normal again someday.

Maybe one day the pain would fade.

Maybe one day I'd remember my family without breaking apart.

I had barely finished that thought when a strange dizziness washed over me.

The plate slipped slightly from my hands.

My vision blurred.

The room spun violently.

I blinked several times, trying to steady myself.

"What..."

Before I could finish the sentence, darkness began swallowing everything around me.

Then...

The screams returned.

My mother's desperate cries.

My father's final breath.

The terrified voices of my little siblings.

The flames.

The blood.

The smell of smoke.

"No..."

I whispered weakly.

A single tear escaped my eye.

"So... happiness really isn't meant for me."

The floor rushed toward me.

Everything faded into darkness.