Ethan’s Desperation

Ethan sat in his private jet, the skyline of New York fading behind him as he headed for Brazil. His plan had taken a darker turn, but he didn't care. Isabella was slipping away from him, and Alex was getting closer to her every day. He had to take matters into his own hands now. If he couldn't win her heart with words, he would orchestrate a situation that would force her to rely on him.

His plan hinged on Isabella's fractured relationship with her sister, Victoria. He knew the bad blood between them ran deep, and Victoria's bitterness was something he could use. Victoria had always been jealous of Isabella, and Ethan knew exactly how to stoke that jealousy into something more dangerous.

As the plane touched down in São Paulo, Ethan mentally rehearsed his strategy. He would manipulate Victoria into thinking this was her chance to finally outshine Isabella, to make her pay for all the years of resentment she harbored. And once Isabella was in danger, he would swoop in and save her, playing the role of the hero, just as he had planned.

Later that evening, Ethan sat across from Victoria at an upscale restaurant in São Paulo. She was dressed in her usual fashionable, sharp attire, but her expression was cold and calculating, as always.

"What do you want, Ethan?" Victoria asked bluntly, taking a sip of her wine. She didn't have the patience for pleasantries.

"I know you and Isabella aren't exactly on good terms," Ethan began smoothly, his tone friendly but with a hint of danger beneath it. "I've got a proposal for you."

Victoria raised an eyebrow. "Go on."

"She's back in New York now, living her life, completely forgetting the family she left behind. She doesn't care about you, Victoria. She's never cared. But I think it's time we remind her who she is—and where she came from."

Victoria narrowed her eyes. "You want me to kidnap my own sister?"

"Not you, of course," Ethan replied, leaning forward. "But you can help make it happen. I've got people who can handle the details. All you need to do is set her up, create the opportunity."

Victoria's lips curled into a smile, but there was no warmth in it. "And why should I do this? What's in it for me?"

Ethan grinned. "You'll finally get to show Isabella what it's like to lose. She's always been the family's 'princess,' even if they didn't treat her like it. This time, you'll be the one in control."

Victoria considered his words carefully. Her jealousy of Isabella had festered for years, and this was a chance to act on it. She wasn't entirely convinced Ethan's plan would work, but the idea of making Isabella suffer was tempting.

"Fine," Victoria said at last. "I'm in. But don't screw this up."

Ethan smiled, knowing he had her where he wanted her. "Don't worry. Everything will go according to plan."

Back in New York

Meanwhile, Isabella had returned from her dinner with Ethan, her mind still troubled. She hadn't confronted him directly, but she could sense something wasn't right. She had seen a darker side of him recently, one that made her uneasy. Still, she didn't want to believe that he had ulterior motives.

She spent the next few days trying to focus on work and stay busy, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Alex. Despite everything, she missed him. He had given her space, but she knew he hadn't given up on her. And deep down, she wasn't sure if she wanted him to.

Late one evening, Isabella was alone in her apartment, sipping tea by the window, when her phone buzzed. It was a message from Victoria—a rare occurrence.

"Let's talk. It's important. Can we meet?"

Isabella hesitated. Victoria had never been kind to her, and they hadn't spoken in a while. But something about the message felt urgent.

After a moment, she replied, agreeing to meet her sister the next day.

The following afternoon, Isabella met Victoria at a quiet café on the outskirts of the city. As they sat down, Isabella could sense something was off. Victoris was unusually friendly, almost too friendly, and her smile didn't reach her eyes.

"It's been a long time," Victoria said, sipping her coffee.

"It has," Isabella replied cautiously, unsure of where this was going.

"I've been thinking a lot about our family," Victoria began, her voice almost sincere. "We've never really had a chance to reconnect. I was hoping we could start fresh."

Isabella raised an eyebrow, surprised by her sister's sudden change in tone. "Why now?"

Victoria shrugged, giving a rehearsed smile. "I don't know. Maybe I'm just tired of holding onto old grudges. We're sisters, after all. We should try to be there for each other."

Isabella felt a twinge of doubt, but she wanted to believe her sister's words. She had always wanted a relationship with Victoria, and maybe this was her chance.

As they talked, Isabella let her guard down just enough for Victoria to feel satisfied. Little did Isabella know, this was exactly what Victoria had planned. She was setting her up, just as Ethan had instructed.

Later that night, as Isabella walked back to her apartment, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. The streets were quiet, almost too quiet. She quickened her pace, but before she could reach her door, she felt a hand clamp down on her arm.

Suddenly, two men appeared from the shadows, grabbing her and pulling her into a waiting car. She struggled, but they were too strong. Panic set in as the car sped off into the night, leaving the streets of New York behind.

When Ethan received the call confirming that Isabella had been taken, he couldn't help but smile. Everything was going according to plan. Now, all he had to do was step in at the right moment and play the part of the hero.

He arranged to "find" Isabella in a hidden location where Victoria's men were keeping her. He would stage a dramatic rescue, and she would be so grateful that she would fall right into his arms.

But what Ethan didn't realize was that Alex had been one step ahead. Alex had been keeping a close eye on both Ethan and Victoria, and the moment Isabella went missing, he put his own plan into action.

As Isabella sat tied to a chair in a dark, unfamiliar room, fear and anger coursed through her. She didn't know why this was happening or who had orchestrated it, but she had a sinking feeling that Ethan was somehow involved.

Just as her captors were about to check on her, the door burst open, and Alex stormed in, his face a mask of fury.

"Let her go," Alex growled, his voice low and dangerous.

The men hesitated for a moment, but Alex didn't give them a chance to react. Within seconds, they were on the ground, unconscious.

Isabella stared at Alex, her heart racing. She had never seen him like this—so determined, so protective. As he untied her, their eyes met, and for the first time in a long time, she felt safe.

"Alex…" she whispered, her voice shaking.

He pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly. "I've got you," he murmured. "You're safe now."

Isabella buried her face in his chest, tears streaming down her cheeks. She didn't need to say anything. In that moment, she knew that Alex had always been the one who truly cared for her.

And Ethan's plan had failed.