Kidnapped

WITHOUT RESTRAINT.....

Greg rushed down the grand staircase the moment one of my guards informed me that my father had arrived.

What was he doing here?

Who had given him permission to step into my estate?

Without slowing down, I pulled out my phone and sent a quick message to my personal bodyguard.

Lock Cara's room. Don't let her leave under any circumstances.

Only after receiving his confirmation did I continue outside.

By the time I reached the front entrance, my breathing had become uneven from taking the stairs too quickly.

"What brings you here, Father?" I asked coldly.

Mr. Vicson slowly lifted his head and looked at me as though I had just insulted him.

"What kind of question is that, son?" he replied with a gentle smile that never reached his eyes. "Do I no longer have the right to visit my own son?"

I clenched my jaw.

"You already know you're not welcome here after what you did."

He waved a dismissive hand.

"That's hardly the way to welcome your old man."

"He's right."

The familiar voice made me turn sharply.

Gracie.

She walked over confidently before slipping her arm through my father's in an almost affectionate manner.

"Don't mind him, Father," she said sweetly. "He's probably still grieving."

Her eyes settled on me, glittering with satisfaction.

"I only came to greet your father... and to sympathize with you over your loss. I heard you loved her very much."

She tilted her head.

"What a pity she's gone."

My blood boiled.

"I see," I said quietly.

"So this is an opportunity for you, I suppose."

She blinked innocently.

"Who knows?"

A slow smile spread across her face.

"Since we're both here already, perhaps I should spend more time with you."

She batted her eyelashes dramatically.

I looked at her with open disgust.

"There's no need."

"I have work waiting for me at the office."

"And unlike you, I don't have time to entertain unwanted guests."

My gaze shifted between the two of them.

"Especially not you."

I called for my driver without another word.

"I was already on my way out."

My father finally dropped his fake smile.

"There is no need for all this drama, Greg."

His voice became firm.

"You should start preparing to settle down with the woman I've chosen for you."

He glanced approvingly at Gracie before looking back at me.

I simply met his eyes.

"If that's all, excuse me."

Without waiting for permission, I walked back into the mansion to collect my suit jacket.

Behind me, I heard him scoff.

"Just look at how arrogant he's become because of a woman."

"He doesn't even have the decency to invite his own father into his house."

Gracie smiled brightly.

"It's alright, Father."

"That woman is gone now."

"He has no other choice but to listen to you."

A satisfied smile crept onto her lips.

Jackpot.

A few minutes later I walked back outside, slipped into my car and drove away without sparing either of them another glance.

Behind me, Father watched my car disappear before turning away in irritation.

"Let's go."

"What a spoiled brat."

I didn't go to the office.

Not immediately.

Instead, I instructed my driver to stop a short distance from the estate.

"Park somewhere discreet," I ordered.

"I'm waiting for them to leave."

Only after my father's convoy disappeared down the road did I finally breathe easier.

"Let's go home."

As the car rolled back toward the mansion, I rubbed the bridge of my nose.

Every meeting with that man drained whatever peace I had left.

The moment I stepped inside the house—

Crash!

A porcelain bowl flew through the air.

It shattered against the doorframe only inches from my head.

Fragments scattered across the polished floor.

I froze.

Then slowly turned.

Cara stood near the sitting room, breathing heavily.

Her eyes burned with fury.

"I see."

"So congratulations."

"What a lovely w***e you've found."

I stared at her.

"What do you think you're doing?"

She laughed bitterly.

"What am I doing?"

"You lock me inside this house against my will while entertaining another woman right under my nose."

"What gave you the audacity?"

She circled the couch.

My eyes immediately followed hers.

The porcelain vase filled with fresh red roses.

I knew exactly what she was thinking.

"Don't."

My voice came out calm.

She looked at me defiantly.

"Dare to stop me."

The moment she reached for the vase, I moved.

We both grabbed it at the same time.

Her small hands tightened around the smooth porcelain.

Mine covered hers instantly.

The roses trembled between us.

"What is wrong with you?" I asked through clenched teeth.

She lifted her face to mine.

"I should be asking you the same thing."

Her eyes glistened.

"Just let me go."

"You can't keep me here forever."

The anger inside me slowly faded.

I wasn't angry anymore.

Just tired.

So tired.

I kept holding the vase.

"Never."

My voice softened.

"You're all I have."

"I can't let you go."

She blinked rapidly as tears gathered in her eyes.

"What about me?"

"What about my life?"

"I have dreams waiting for me outside these walls."

"Have you ever thought about what I want?"

Her voice cracked.

"You're already making my life miserable."

"What happens to me now?"

"Answer me!"

I slowly released the vase.

Instead, I gently cupped her face.

The moment my fingers touched her skin, she trembled.

"Cara..."

"You'll be alright."

"Trust me."

"I'll never hurt you."

"I just need you to be patient."

"I won't stop you from achiev—"

Crash!

Before I could finish speaking, she snatched up the vase and smashed it against the floor.

Water splashed everywhere.

Red roses scattered across the marble tiles.

Porcelain shattered into dozens of pieces.

From somewhere inside the kitchen came Maryan's startled scream.

Silence followed.

I closed my eyes.

Slowly lowered my hands.

Then spoke quietly.

"Go to your room."

"I will never let you out of my life."

"You are mine."

"Let that sink in."

She shook her head furiously.

"No."

"Leave me alone."

"Go to your room."

"No!"

She suddenly turned and sprinted toward the front door.

She barely made it two steps.

I caught her effortlessly.

In one swift movement, I lifted her over my shoulder.

She gasped.

"What are you doing?"

"Put me down!"

I ignored the protests and started climbing the stairs.

She kicked.

She punched my back repeatedly.

"I'll never be yours!"

Smack.

I lightly swatted her backside.

"I'll forgive today's behavior."

"My patience is running dangerously low."

"I don't have the strength to argue with you."

She continued struggling.

Another punch landed against my shoulder.

Smack.

"I said put me down!"

Another kick.

Another light smack.

By the time we reached the second floor, she'd grown tired.

Her punches became weaker.

Then stopped altogether.

I entered her room and gently placed her on the bed.

The moment her feet touched the mattress, she curled into herself, pulled the duvet over her head and quietly began to cry.

I stood there for several long seconds.

Watching.

Listening.

Then I finally spoke.

"I have no relationship with the woman you saw today."

"There are no strings attached."

She didn't answer.

I walked toward the large window and looked out over the estate.

Beautiful view.

From here...

She must have watched everything this morning.

I sighed deeply and rubbed my aching shoulder.

"For someone so skinny..."

"...you really are heavy."

A faint smile almost escaped me.

I took one last look at the trembling figure beneath the blanket.

Then quietly left the room.

The door clicked shut behind me.

Leaving only the sound of Cara's muffled sobs filling the silence.