Ife knew something was wrong the moment the car doors locked.
She hadn't noticed when it happened. One second, she was staring out the window, watching Lagos blur past—yellow buses, roadside vendors, life moving on without her. The next, there was a sharp click.
Final.
Her breath caught.
"Stop the car," she said calmly.
The driver didn't respond.
Her fingers tightened around her bag. "I said stop."
The man finally glanced at her through the rearview mirror. His eyes were polite. Almost kind.
"Relax, madam. You're safe."
That was when fear settled deep in her chest.
"Where are you taking me?"
"Somewhere quiet."
The city noise faded as they turned onto a long, gated road. Tall walls rose on either side, crowned with broken glass. Guards waved them through without question.
Ife's pulse thundered. She reached for her phone.
No signal.
Of course.
The car slowed and rolled into a compound that felt too calm, too clean—like peace staged for an audience.
The doors unlocked.
"Please," the driver said, opening her door. "Come inside."
She stepped out, legs stiff, heart pounding.
A woman greeted her at the entrance. Middle-aged. Neatly dressed. Warm smile.
"Welcome, Ife."
Her name hit like ice.
"You know me."
"Yes," the woman said gently. "I'm Ada. I work for Mr. Blackwood."
Ife swallowed. "Which one?"
Ada's smile didn't waver. "Julian."
The house was beautiful in a cold, expensive way. White walls. Marble floors. No personal touches. No warmth.
A cage dressed as comfort.
"You're not a prisoner," Ada said as they walked. "Think of this as protection."
"From who?" Ife asked.
Ada paused. "From yourself."
They stopped in a sitting room. Tea was already waiting.
Too prepared.
"You orchestrated this," Ife said quietly.
Ada met her gaze. "You walked away at the right time. Julian respects that."
"I didn't walk toward him."
"No," Ada agreed. "But you walked away from Arden."
Ife stiffened.
Ada gestured to the couch. "Sit. Please."
Against her instincts, Ife sat.
Ada took the seat opposite her. "Julian believes love is leverage. He also believes distance is mercy."
Ife laughed once, sharp and hollow. "That man doesn't know mercy."
Ada studied her. "You're braver than most."
"That's not bravery," Ife replied. "That's survival."
Ada nodded. "You'll stay here a few days. Rest. Think."
"Think about what?"
"About how dangerous Arden's world is."
Ife leaned forward. "You think I don't know?"
Ada didn't answer.
Across the city, Arden felt it before he knew it.
The silence.
No messages. No calls. Nothing.
"She wouldn't just disappear," Arden said, pacing. "She would've said something."
Victor stood by the window, jaw tight. "Julian doesn't take without announcing it."
Arden spun on him. "You said she walked away."
"She did," Victor replied. "But not alone."
Arden slammed his fist into the wall. "You let this happen."
Victor didn't argue. "I underestimated him."
Arden laughed bitterly. "That's what everyone says about monsters."
Victor turned. "Listen to me. Julian doesn't hurt what he wants to control."
Arden's voice dropped. "That's not comfort."
"It's time," Victor said quietly. "We move."
"Where?"
Victor hesitated. "Somewhere I hoped we'd never go."
That night, Ife lay awake in a bed that wasn't hers.
The sheets smelled unfamiliar. The ceiling felt too high.
Her phone buzzed suddenly.
She jolted upright.
One message.
Julian:
I admire your timing.
Her fingers trembled as she typed.
Ife:
You kidnapped me.
The reply came instantly.
Julian:
No. I removed you from a war zone.
She stared at the screen.
Ife:
Let me go.
Three dots appeared. Disappeared.
Then:
Julian:
I already have. You're free to leave.
Her chest tightened.
Ife:
Then why can't I?
A pause.
Then the truth:
Julian:
Because Arden will follow. And you're safer where I can see you.
Tears burned her eyes.
Ife:
You're using me.
Julian:
I'm sparing you.
She dropped the phone, hands shaking.
This wasn't protection.
This was ownership.
Back in Lagos, Arden prepared for war.
Weapons were laid out. Plans mapped. Contacts activated.
Victor watched him quietly. "If we do this, there's no turning back."
Arden loaded the last magazine. "There never was."
Victor stepped closer. "You might lose everything."
Arden's voice was steady. "I already did."
He looked up then, eyes burning.
"But I'm getting her back."
Outside, thunder rolled across the sky.
And in two different places, love and power braced for collision—both knowing only one would survive.