---
Ava's heart raced as she sprinted through the abandoned building, her breath coming in sharp, shallow gasps. Every footstep that echoed behind her sent a surge of fear through her, pushing her legs to move faster, despite the exhaustion creeping through her muscles. She could hear the shouts of the men, their footsteps growing closer as they pursued her.
But Ava didn't dare stop. She couldn't.
Her mind was a blur of thoughts—Ethan, her baby, the family she had built—everything hinged on her escape. She had to make it out of this nightmare. She had to survive.
She rounded a corner, eyes scanning the dimly lit hallway ahead of her. The walls were lined with old, peeling posters and the scent of mildew hung heavy in the air. The place felt like a graveyard, and for a moment, a chill ran down her spine. She had no idea where she was or how far she'd run, but she needed to find a way out. The building was vast, and it seemed to stretch on forever.
She pushed on, adrenaline pumping through her veins, her hands still bound behind her. The rope had loosened considerably, but not enough for her to break free entirely. Every turn, every corner, was a chance to escape—but she could feel the weight of the chase closing in on her.
Suddenly, a voice broke through the tension.
"Ava."
It was calm, cold—almost too calm.
Ava froze in her tracks. She spun around, her eyes wide as they searched the shadows ahead. She could barely make out the outline of a figure standing in the doorway of a nearby room, the dim light from a flickering bulb casting an eerie glow on his face. But it wasn't just any figure—it was a man. The same man who had been lurking in the background.
The man who had orchestrated everything.
The one who had planned her abduction.
"Who are you?" Ava demanded, her voice filled with disbelief. She was breathing hard, but there was a sudden surge of anger that pushed away her fear. She wouldn't let him intimidate her.
The man stepped forward, his face finally coming into view as the light illuminated his features. He was tall, with sharp, angular features and a dark, calculating look in his eyes. There was a familiarity to him that sent a shiver down Ava's spine. But where had she seen him before? His face… it was almost hauntingly familiar, but she couldn't place him.
"I think you already know who I am," the man said, his voice smooth and cold. "You just didn't realize it until now."
Ava's heart skipped a beat. There was something about the way he spoke that sent a sense of dread through her. This wasn't some random criminal. This man was someone from her past.
"No," she whispered, shaking her head, trying to push the thought away. "Who are you?"
The man smiled darkly, stepping into the light. His eyes were cold, void of empathy. "Do you remember Lance Ward?"
Lance.
Ava's mind raced. The name hit her like a ton of bricks. Lance Ward. She hadn't thought about him in years. He was an old business associate of Ethan's, someone who had always kept to the shadows. But he was more than just an associate. He had tried to undermine Ethan's business in the past, his name appearing in some shady dealings that never quite added up. But why would he be involved in something like this?
"Lance…" Ava breathed, recognition dawning, but it was clouded by disbelief. "What do you want with me? Why are you doing this?"
Lance's smile widened, but there was no warmth in it. "What do I want with you? That's a simple question, Ava." He took a step closer, his presence looming. "I want everything you have."
Ava's blood ran cold. "You want me to stay out of Ethan's life, don't you? You want to destroy him and take his company, don't you?"
Lance laughed softly, shaking his head. "Ethan doesn't matter. He never did. Not really. I've always wanted you, Ava. I always have. And now that you're married to him, I can finally have you. At least, that's what I thought. But things have changed."
Ava stared at him in shock, her mind reeling from his words. This couldn't be happening. Lance had always been a distant figure in Ethan's world, someone who had always operated in the shadows. But now, he was here—right in front of her—revealing his dark obsession with her. She could feel her stomach twist in disgust.
"You're sick," she spat, her voice trembling with fury. "You think I'll just give in to you? You've kidnapped me and hurt me for what? Your twisted little fantasy?"
Lance's eyes narrowed, and his smile faded into a dark, menacing glare. "You don't understand, do you? I've waited too long for this. I've been patient. But now, I'm done waiting." He stepped forward, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "You're going to stay here with me. And soon enough, you'll see that I'm the one who can give you everything Ethan never will."
Ava's chest tightened, fear clawing at her throat. She had to escape. This man, this monster, had already taken so much from her. He wasn't going to take her life, too.
Without thinking, Ava surged forward, her hand reaching for the rusty pipe she had dropped earlier. She swung it at Lance with all the strength she could muster, but he was too quick, ducking just in time to avoid the blow. He grabbed her wrist, his grip painfully tight.
"I'm done playing games, Ava," he growled. "You're going to learn to obey me."
The world around her seemed to blur as Ava struggled against his hold, panic threatening to overtake her. She refused to be his prisoner—not again, not ever. He would never control her. Not while she still had the strength to fight.
As she fought back, a sudden, deafening noise cut through the air—a gunshot. Ava's heart nearly stopped as she froze, her eyes wide with fear. She looked to Lance, but his attention was diverted now, his eyes flicking toward the door. It wasn't long before the sound of footsteps echoed down the hall.
The door burst open, and to Ava's shock, Ethan stormed in, his face dark with fury. His eyes locked onto Lance, and the atmosphere in the room shifted immediately.
"Let her go," Ethan commanded, his voice cold and lethal.
Lance turned slowly, his expression one of surprise mixed with disdain. "So, the great Ethan King finally shows up."
Ava's heart swelled with relief as Ethan stepped toward her, his eyes never leaving Lance. She had never felt more thankful for his presence than she did in this moment.
"You won't get away with this, Lance," Ethan's voice was full of authority, a man who had fought and won battles his entire life. "Not this time."
---