The days had been chaotic, but today was different. Sophie's mind was consumed with relief as she stood in the office, watching the final preparations for the band's overseas concert unfold. The schedule for the next few days was set, and there was one thing that Sophie could be certain of: she wouldn't have to face Aiden for three entire days.
Aiden's presence had been overwhelming lately. His jealous stares, his possessiveness, and his demands had worn her thin. A few days away from him felt like a blessing. Sophie had grown accustomed to the unease in her chest whenever Aiden was around, and this short break would allow her a bit of space.
As the members of The Triffles Band gathered at the airport, Aiden approached Sophie with a cold, calculating look in his eyes. He didn't want to give her a moment of peace, not even on this short trip.
"You'll stay away from men," Aiden warned, his voice low, as his gaze lingered on her. "And don't even think about running off. I'll be watching."
Sophie stiffened at his words. He was always watching, always controlling. But she kept her expression neutral, not giving him the satisfaction of knowing how much his words affected her.
"I'll be fine," she replied, her voice icy.
Aiden didn't respond, but his eyes narrowed as he turned away to join the others. Sophie could feel his presence even as he walked away, and she couldn't help but sigh in frustration. Three days, she reminded herself. Just three days of freedom.
The overseas concert tour was a success, beyond what anyone had expected. The band performed to packed venues, their fans cheering them on. The energy was electric, and for a moment, Sophie could forget the chaos that awaited her back home. The crowd's enthusiasm was contagious, and the adrenaline of the concert made her feel alive, even if just for a few hours.
But even amidst the excitement, Sophie's mind wandered. She couldn't help but think about Zane. He had been through so much recently, with his surgery, and Sophie felt guilty for not being able to give him more of her time. She had promised him that she would visit, and so, after the concert ended, she found herself rushing to the hospital.
Zane's recovery was slow, but he was doing better, thanks to Ella's care. Sophie walked into the room to find Ella sitting beside Zane, holding his hand as he rested. The love and concern in Ella's eyes were clear, but Sophie could tell that something was off. Zane wasn't showing much progress, and Ella's tired eyes told a story of sleepless nights.
Sophie tried to keep the conversation light, asking Zane how he was feeling, but she could see the frustration in his eyes. "It's just taking longer than I thought," he muttered, his voice weak. "Ella's doing her best, but I feel like I'm not improving fast enough."
Ella smiled weakly at Sophie, but Sophie could tell she was holding back tears. "He'll get better," Sophie reassured her, but the uncertainty in her own voice betrayed her. She wanted to believe it, but the situation felt more hopeless with each passing day.
As she left the hospital, Sophie couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The world around her seemed to be moving in slow motion, and she was consumed with worry for both Zane and herself.
It was on her way back from the hospital when Sophie's worst nightmare came to life. As she walked down a quiet street, her phone buzzed with an incoming call. It was Aiden. She glanced at the screen, but before she could answer, a hand grabbed her from behind. Sophie's heart raced as she tried to scream, but a hand clamped over her mouth, stifling the sound.
The next thing she knew, she was being dragged into a dark, abandoned building. Sophie's heart pounded in her chest as she struggled, but her captors were too strong. They pushed her into a room, and before she could even process what was happening, the door slammed shut behind her.
Sophie tried to call for help, but her phone was taken from her as they threw her into a chair. A group of men surrounded her, leering at her with sick smiles. One of them held up a camera, a wicked glint in his eyes.
"We'll make you famous," one of the men sneered. "But not in the way you'd like."
Sophie's breath hitched in panic. She couldn't let them do this. She fought against her restraints, trying to break free, but the more she struggled, the tighter they held her. She had no idea how she would get out of this, and the fear that gripped her heart was overwhelming.
But just as the situation seemed hopeless, a loud crash echoed through the building. Sophie's head snapped up, and she saw a shadow darting across the room. Before she could even react, the door flew open, and Aiden appeared, his face twisted in fury.
"Get away from her!" Aiden's voice thundered as he stormed into the room. The men hesitated for a moment, caught off guard by Aiden's sudden arrival. But it was enough time for Aiden to launch himself at them, knocking one of the men to the ground with a swift punch.
Sophie's heart raced as she watched Aiden fight, his movements calculated and precise. It was clear that he wasn't just any man—he was a force to be reckoned with. The men scrambled, realizing they were no match for Aiden. Within moments, they were fleeing, leaving Sophie and Aiden alone in the room.
Aiden rushed over to Sophie, his hands shaking as he gently touched her face. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice softer now, the anger still lingering in his tone.
Sophie nodded, too overwhelmed to speak. She felt a rush of emotions—relief, fear, and something else that she couldn't quite place. She had been saved, but at what cost?
As they left the abandoned building, Sophie couldn't help but wonder how Aiden had found her. She hadn't been able to answer his calls earlier, and yet he had somehow tracked her down in time. But there were still so many questions left unanswered.
"How did you find me?" Sophie asked, her voice shaky.
Aiden's jaw clenched. "I tried calling you. When you didn't answer, I had Riley track your location. We knew something was wrong when your phone went silent."
Sophie frowned, but before she could ask more, she was interrupted by the sound of Aiden's phone ringing. He answered it, his voice tense as he spoke with someone on the other end.
Sophie could only watch as Aiden's expression darkened. "We'll find out who's behind this," he muttered. "I won't stop until I know who did this to you."
Sophie's mind raced with questions. Who had kidnapped her? Why? And most importantly—who was behind it all?
But as Aiden hung up the phone, the mystery only deepened. The identity of her captors remained a secret, and Sophie couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of something far more dangerous.
....