**Unknown POV**

I pulled my baseball cap lower and adjusted my mask before slipping on my black coat. My target was heading down the stairs, eyes glued to her phone.Perfect.

She must have sensed something wrong because she suddenly looked back.Our eyes met for a split second before she quickened her pace toward the exit. Those stilettos were her downfall - she couldn't run fast enough.

"Been waiting all night for this," I muttered.

I grabbed her from behind and clamped the ether-soaked rag over her face.She fought back, but it didn't last long. Her body went limp in my arms.

After making sure she was out cold, I stuffed her into the black sack I'd brought and hefted her onto my shoulder.

"Some miracle doctor Clarke turned out to be," I spat. "Couldn't even save my girlfriend, but he's throwing himself a fancy party like nothing happened."

This was justice. Harrison Clarke took someone I loved, so I'd take someone his precious grandson Felix loved. I'd seen them together earlier -the way he looked at her made it obvious.

Felix Thompson was too big for me to tackle directly. But this woman?She was my ticket. I'd lure him with her, drug them both, and take photos compromising enough to destroy his reputation. Let Dr. Clarke feel what it's like to lose someone important.

I strode through the hotel,the woman slung over my shoulder. At the entrance, three people rushed past me without a second glance.

Once outside, I tossed the sack into my panel van without ceremony. The sound of her body hitting the metal floor was satisfying.

The pain fromn throwing her into the van must have jolted her awake.Her eyes fluttered open, confusion giving way to fear as she registered what was happening.

I opened the sack, enjoying how she squinted in the sudden light.

"Woke up already?" I asked, annoyed that the ether hadn't lasted longer.

She tried to push herself backward, eyes wide with terror. "Who are you?What do you want?"

I couldn't help but smile at her helplessness. "You can thank Dr. Clarke for this little adventure."

Before she could scream, I pressed the second rag against her face - this one soaked with a stronger concentration. She struggled briefly, then went limp again.

Once she was out, I slapped her hard. The red handprint on her pale cheek was obvious. I pulled out my phone and snapped several photos.

"That should do it," I said, locking the van before heading back to the hotel.

**Astrid's POV**

"Where's Adrian Knox sitting? Which entrance is closest?" I asked、practically dragging Ethan and Rachel along with me. "I want to find him

the second we get inside."

Rachel pointed to our right. "The west entrance is our best bet."

As we hurried in, we passed a skinny guy carrying a large sack.

Something about his face gave me the creeps.

I rubbed my arms, suddenly cold. "That guy seemed off."

"That sack," I said, frowning. "It couldn't have been a person, right?"

Ethan turned back to look. "Astrid. I think it might have been."

I grabbed his arm. "It's not our problem anyway. Maybe it's some weird game they're playing."

"We don't know anyone here anyway. We came for one thing."

Ethan sighed."Fine."

He pulled out his phone. "I'll takea picture just in case."

He quickly snapped a picture of the retreating figure and sent it to the police email.

**Blake's POV**

Dr. Clarke had called Felix away, and I wanted to stay for some air. The cigarette between my fingers glowed orange as I inhaled, watching the distant ocean shimmer under moonlight.

Five years ago. Back whenI couldn't see a damn thing.

She'd take me walking along the shoreline. I remembered her small hand on my arm, guiding me. One day, I told her why I hated the ocean -about

being kidnapped, and watching my father murdered before they threw me into the sea.

"It's not the ocean that's wrong." she'd said. "It's the people who hurt you.""You shouldn't hate the ocean. It covers more of Earth than land does.It's full of life."

She'd gotten excited then, describing everything I couldn't see. "When your eyes heal,you'll see how beautiful it is."

Now I could see the ocean just fine. But she was gone.

"Mr. Thompson. Still here thinking about your meetup with that woman?"A voice broke into my thoughts, I started to turn, ready to correct his mistake.

"That woman has been kidnapped by me."

The words stopped me cold.

"What woman?" I asked. keeping my back to him.

"The one you were with earlier," he replied, sounding smug. "She's someplace safe. For now."

I quickly pulled a mask from my pocket and put it on before facing him.

The kidnapper was shorter than I excpected, wearing a mask. Wiry, wíth something unstable in his eyes.

"Want to come get her?" he asked. "If not, she might not make it through the night."

His eyes narrowed. "Wait, why the mask?"

"My grandfather's Dr. Clarke," I said. "Can't be too careful. Where is she?"

"Come with me and you'll see."

"I need proof you actually have her," I said. "Not just going to take your word for it."

He pulled out his phone."Will this do?"

The photo made my blood freeze. It showed a woman who looked exactly like her, unconscious, with a bright red handprint on her pale face.

My breathing quickened as rage built inside me. "Where is she?" I asked again.

The man pocketed his phone. "I said, follow me and find out."

"I've rigged explosives around her," he added casually. "′′CalI the cops or tip off anyone else, and boom - she's gone."

He jabbed a finger at me. "Her life's in your hands, Thompson. Not forcing you,but if you want-"

"Let's go," I cut him off. "Now."

He blinked,clearly not expecting me to cave so quickly. Then he stuck his hand out. "Your phone, give it to me."

Calculating bastard.

I handed it over without argument.

"Watch too," he said after checking my screen. He circled me like a vulture,confiscating anything that might have GPS.

"This way." He jerked his head toward the exit.

As I followed, I casually flicked a button from my jacket. It hit the floor without a sound.

We left the hotel through a service exit. After a few random turns, we reached a panel van tucked in a dark corner of the lot.

He flung open the rear doors. "There she is."

My stomach dropped. She lay crumpled on the dirty floor like someone had tossed her aside. Her dress was torn at the shoulder, her face chalk-white except for an angry red handprint.

"Audrey!" I didn't realize I'd said her name until it was already out.I lunged forward and gathered her into my arms.

Her body was feather-light, her skin cold. Just like before.

Memories of months crashed through me. Audrey growing thinner,her face paler each day. Me dismissing it as depression over the miscarriage.Me believing LaureI's lies, blind to what was happening right in front of me.

By the time I knew the truth, she was already gone.

"Wake up," I said, my voice rough. "Please wake up."

I couldn't fail her twice. Couldn't miss my chance to make things right.

"Relax, she's just taking a nap." The man snorted. "The drug'll wear off soon."

He leaned against the van door. "Didn't know you had such a thing for Knox's wife,"

His gaze slid over her body."Dcon't worry. When she wakes up, you gonna have yourself a real party."