Kidnapped

Mia's mind raced as she arrived back at the mansion after her meeting with Olivia. The flash drive weighed heavily in her pocket, and the information inside it could very well be the key to unlocking the mystery of the dangerous force lurking in the shadows. She was determined to get to the bottom of it. Every step she took, every decision she made, was now about more than just her—it was about protecting the future she and Alexander were building.

As Mia entered the house, she was greeted by her loyal staff, but something felt off. The air was thick with tension, as though a storm was brewing, ready to strike at any moment. She didn't have time to linger on the feeling. She made her way up to her study, intending to review the flash drive and begin analyzing the data Olivia had given her.

But before she could even sit down at her desk, the door to her study slammed shut, and she felt a sharp, icy presence behind her.

Before Mia could react, a strong hand clamped over her mouth, stifling her scream. Panic surged through her, but the pressure of the grip on her was unyielding. Another hand pulled her arms behind her, forcing her into a firm hold. Mia's heart raced as she struggled, but her body betrayed her. She was too caught off guard.

"Don't fight it, Mia," a voice hissed in her ear, sending chills down her spine. The voice was familiar, but distorted by malice. "You've been a thorn in the wrong person's side for too long."

It took a moment for the voice to register, but when it did, a sick realization gripped her chest.

"Olivia?" Mia whispered in disbelief. But even as she spoke, she felt a sharp sting in her neck—something cold and metallic—and everything went black.

---

Back at the mansion, Alexander was in his office, reviewing some files when his phone buzzed. He glanced down, seeing a series of missed calls and texts from Mia. His heart sank. It wasn't like her to go silent, especially after a meeting. He quickly dialed her number, his heart hammering in his chest as the line rang out, only to go to voicemail.

"Mia?" he called out into the phone, his voice tight with concern. "Mia, where are you?"

He quickly stood up, throwing on his jacket. Something was wrong.

---

Mia's world was spinning when she came to. The cold air cut through her clothes, and she felt the rough material of ropes biting into her wrists. She opened her eyes slowly, her head aching from the sedation. The room she found herself in was dark, confined—like a warehouse or an abandoned building. Her breathing was labored as she took in her surroundings, trying to piece together what had happened.

"Where am I?" she whispered to herself, panic clawing at the edges of her mind.

The door creaked open, and a figure stepped into the room. Mia's heart skipped a beat as she recognized the figure standing in the doorway.

"Olivia…" she whispered, disbelief in her voice.

Olivia smiled darkly, the same coldness that had betrayed her during their last meeting radiating from her. "It's over, Mia. You've played the game well, but it's time for someone else to win."

Mia's pulse raced as the realization settled in—Olivia had been a part of the conspiracy all along. She had been feeding her false information, leading her to believe they were allies when in fact, she was working for the enemy.

"You were never going to help me, were you?" Mia said, her voice thick with anger.

Olivia shook her head. "You were never supposed to win, Mia. You've always been a pawn in someone else's game. But now? Now, I'm in charge."

Mia's thoughts raced, but she didn't have much time. She needed to escape, and she needed to warn Alexander. But how? Her mind was still foggy, and the ropes binding her hands made it nearly impossible to fight back.

---

Meanwhile, Alexander had already mobilized his security team, storming through the mansion to find Mia. Her disappearance had only added to his growing sense of dread. He knew something was terribly wrong. His heart clenched as he called every contact he had, desperately searching for any sign of Mia.

His thoughts kept drifting back to the day they had discovered Mia was pregnant. She was carrying their child, and now she was missing. This wasn't just about their lives anymore—this was about their family.

"Derek," he barked into his phone, "I need every resource we have. Mia's gone. Find her."

He couldn't let panic take over. He had to be calm, controlled, for Mia, for the baby. But deep down, he knew he wouldn't rest until she was safe.

---

Mia's eyes shot open as she heard the sound of footsteps coming closer. She took a deep breath, gathering every ounce of strength she had left. The ropes were tight, but with every movement, they loosened just enough. She couldn't give up now. Not when everything was at stake.

Just as Olivia moved closer, Mia used the last bit of energy she had to push herself forward, knocking into Olivia and sending her crashing to the ground. Mia scrambled, her hands still bound, but her mind was clear. She needed to escape.

But before she could make a run for it, the door burst open, and a wave of relief flooded over her as she saw Alexander storm in, his eyes wild with determination.

"Mia!" he shouted, rushing to her side. His gaze swept over her, assessing her condition. His hands were already working to untie the ropes, but Mia stopped him with a gentle touch.

"Alex…" she whispered, her voice raw. "It's Olivia. She's working with them. She betrayed us."

Alexander's eyes hardened. "Don't worry, Mia. We're getting you out of here. You're safe now."

As he helped her to her feet, Mia felt a surge of emotions—relief, anger, and fear. They weren't out of danger yet. Olivia was still a threat, and the enemies pulling the strings were still out there.

But for now, Mia had Alexander by her side, and that was all that mattered.

Together, they would fight for the future of their family, no matter the cost.