Chapter 17
She woke up startled, her eyes wide with fear. It took her a moment to realize where she was.
When she saw Ryan, her panic slowly reducd.”I had a nightmare,” she whispered, tears welling up in her eyes.
Ryan nodded, sitting on the edge of the bed. “I know. You’re safe now, Iris. No one can hurt you here.
With a look of helplessness on her face, she looked up at him. “Thank you, Ryan.”Gently, he extended his hand and held hers. “Iris, you don’t have to thank me.
“They sat in silence for a moment, the gravity of the situation sinking in. Ryan knew he had to find out who was behind the kidnapping and why they had targeted Iris.
But for now, her safety and wellbeing came first for him. He tucked the blanket about her and said softly, “Try to get some more rest.” “I’ll be right here if you need anything.”Iris nodded, tiredness already beginning to weigh heavily in her eyes.
As she drifted back to sleep, Ryan watched over her, his mind racing with plans to ensure this never happened again.
Iris gradually recovered over the next few days, and while she slept, Ryan was by her side, providing comfort and keeping his mind racing with worries and resolve.
He needed to ensure her safety, but he also needed answers.”Iris,” Ryan said softly as she began to stir. “Can you tell me what happened?”She opened her eyes, the trauma still evident in her gaze.
“I was… I was kidnapped. They took me to some warehouse. I managed to escape while they were busy talking, but it was terrifying, Ryan.
“Ryan clenched his fists, anger flaring within him. “Who were they? Did they say anything about why they took you?”Iris shook her head.
“No, they didn’t say much. They were waiting for someone. I heard them talking on the phone, but I don’t know who it was.
“I was so scared, Ryan. I thought I was going to die.”
“Ryan’s jaw tightened. “We’ll find out Iris, I won’t let this happen again.”Tears welled up in Iris’s eyes as she looked at him. “Thank you, Ryan. “He pulled her into a gentle embrace, feeling her body tremble against his.
“You’re safe now. .
We’ll figure out who did this and why.”Iris nodded, finding comfort in his words. Despite their complicated relationship, she realized that Ryan genuinely cared for her or was it just care at the moment? She thought within herself.
And for the first time, she allowed herself to hope that maybe, just maybe, their marriage could be more than just a convenience.
Iris’s kidnappers, a group of criminals, were nervously waiting in a dark hideout for a call from their leader, a muscular man with a scar down his face.
At the ringing of their phone, nervously and excitedly.”It’s him,” he muttered, gesturing for silence as he answered. “We’ve got her Boss. She’s at the location.This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.
“A sinister voice crackled through the phone, sending shivers down the spines of those present. “Excellent. I’ll be there shortly.
Make sure she’s secure.”The call ended, leaving an eerie silence in its wake. The men exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of their task pressing down on them.
Meanwhile, the unknown caller, their boss, smirked as he ended the call. His plan was coming together perfectly.
Soon, he would have what he wanted. He strode towards his car, ready to finish the job.
Back at the hideout, the minutes dragged on. Iris’s kidnappers grew restless, They called their boss and in one ring he picked up, the leader spoke, his voice shaking slightly.
“She’s escaped!” one of the kidnappers blurted out, panic evident in his voice. “We’re after her now, but she’s fast. We won’t let her get away.”
The unknown caller’s demeanor shifted instantly, his voice a cold, dangerous whisper. “If you let her escape, it will be your last mistake. Do not fail me.”
Fear gripped the kidnappers as they realized the severity of their situation. The call ended, and they immediately redoubled their efforts.
The kidnappers felt fear when they learned how serious what they have was. When the call finished, they immediately redoubled their efforts.
The unknown caller arrived at the hideout moments later, his face a mask of fury. He stormed into the building, his eyes scanning the room for any sign of Iris.
“Where is she?” he demanded, his voice low and menacing. The leader of the kidnappers stepped forward, trembling. “She got away, but we….”
A gunshot echoed through the room, cutting him off. The leader fell to the ground, a pool of blood spreading beneath him.
The other men flinched away in terror, their fright obvious. The unknown caller kept his expression fixed while holding his gun.
“Clean this mess up,” he ordered coldly. “And remember, next time I send you for a job, it had better be done right. I show no mercy for incompetence.”
The remaining kidnappers scrambled to obey, terrified of facing the same fate as their fallen leader. The unknown caller turned on his heel and left, his mind already churning with plans to rectify this setback.
The unknown caller sat in a dark, foreboding place that reflected his personality. He was on the phone again, barking orders to his subordinates.”Iris escaped, but I want her found but let’s take a break, I will tell you when to strike.”
“No mistakes this time. Do you understand?” he growled.”Yes, sir. Understood,” came the reply from the other end.”Good. And make sure to cover your tracks. I don’t want any loose ends,” he added before hanging up.
He leaned back in his chair, contemplating his next move. Iris’s escape was a minor setback, but he was determined to get what he wanted. Failure was not an option.
Ryan, who has been sleeping in Iris’ room this whole time, was at Iris’s side when the family doctor arrived. Dr. Parker, a tall, kind-eyed man, examined Iris thoroughly.
He took her vitals, checked her injuries, and made sure she was stable.”She’s been through quite an ordeal,” Dr. Parker said, looking at Ryan.
“Physically, she’ll recover, but she needs rest and emotional support.”Ryan nodded. “I’ll make sure she gets it. Thank you, Doctor.”As the doctor left, Ryan turned back to Iris, who was resting quietly.
He sat down beside her, taking her hand in his.”Iris, I know you’re tired, but if you can remember anything else about what happened, it could help us,” he said gently. She nodded slowly. “There was one thing….