Isabella couldn't breathe.
The video froze on the screen.
A woman, bound to a chair, face bruised, eyes swollen from crying.
Her hair was a mess.
Her mouth was gagged.
Her body shook with sobs.
And Isabella knew her.
"Oh God…" she whispered.
Juan stood behind her, rubbing his eyes.
"Mommy?" he asked sleepily.
She dropped the phone.
Nolan caught it before it hit the floor.
One look—
And his entire body went rigid.
"They took her," Isabella whispered.
Nolan's jaw clenched. "Who is she?"
Isabella swallowed. "My mother."
The words landed like a bomb.
Nathan swore under his breath.
Nolan's chest tightened violently. "They found her?"
"Yes," Isabella said, tears streaming. "She lives in a small town. She doesn't talk to anyone. She doesn't even know half of what's going on in my life."
Nolan's eyes burned. "They chose her because they knew it would break you."
Isabella collapsed onto the couch, sobbing.
"This is my fault," she cried. "Everything is my fault."
Nolan crossed the room in seconds, pulling her into his arms.
"No," he said fiercely. "This is mine."
She shook her head. "They're using me. They're using everyone I love."
Nolan cupped her face. "They made a mistake."
She looked at him.
"They took the wrong woman," he said.
Her breath hitched. "What does that mean?"
"It means they think pain will make me hesitate," he replied. "They're wrong."
Nathan was already on the phone.
"Trace the video," he barked. "I want location, power source, background noise, everything."
Isabella clutched Nolan. "They're going to kill her."
Nolan's voice was low. "Not before I find them."
Juan stood frozen in the doorway.
"Daddy?" he whispered.
Isabella turned, heart shattering.
She rushed to him, dropping to her knees.
"Baby," she whispered, pulling him into her arms.
He buried his face in her neck. "You're crying."
"I'm okay," she whispered. "I promise."
He pulled back, eyes wide. "Is someone bad coming?"
Her chest tightened.
Nolan knelt beside them. "No one is coming for you."
Juan studied his face. "Promise?"
Nolan didn't hesitate. "Promise."
Isabella's heart broke a little more.
An hour later, the message came.
A new video.
Marcus.
Mask off this time.
His face was calm.
Too calm.
"She's strong," he said. "She hasn't begged yet."
Isabella screamed.
Nolan grabbed the phone.
"You touch her again," he snarled, "and I will erase you."
Marcus smiled faintly. "You always were dramatic."
"What do you want?" Nolan demanded.
Marcus tilted his head. "You."
Nolan froze.
Isabella's heart slammed.
"You'll come alone," Marcus continued. "No brother. No police. No tricks."
Isabella shook her head violently. "No."
"If you don't," Marcus said, "she dies. Slowly."
Isabella collapsed against Nolan.
"Don't," she sobbed. "Please don't."
Nolan stared at the screen.
"How long?" he asked.
Marcus checked an invisible watch. "Twenty-four hours."
The video ended.
Silence.
Thick.
Suffocating.
"No," Isabella whispered. "You can't go."
Nolan closed his eyes.
"She's my mother," Isabella cried. "I can't lose her."
"And you won't," Nolan said.
She shook violently. "They'll kill you."
He cupped her face. "Not today."
Her voice broke. "You always say that."
"And I'm always right," he said.
She sobbed into his chest. "I already almost lost you."
"I'm still here," he whispered.
"But if you go—"
"I will come back," he said.
She laughed hysterically. "How can you be so sure?"
He looked at her.
"Because you didn't let me die."
Her heart shattered.
Nathan stormed into the room.
"I traced the signal," he said. "Old industrial district. Dockside."
Nolan nodded.
Nathan stared at him. "You're not going alone."
"Yes, I am," Nolan said.
Nathan stepped closer. "If you walk in there alone, you die."
Nolan's gaze was cold. "Then I die."
Isabella screamed. "Stop!"
She stood, shaking.
"I won't let either of you do this," she cried.
Nolan turned to her. "I don't have a choice."
She walked up to him and slapped him.
The sound echoed.
His head turned.
Silence.
"I lost you once," she whispered. "I won't survive losing you again."
He slowly faced her.
"You won't lose me," he said.
Her eyes were wild. "They'll torture you."
"I've been tortured," he said. "Losing you was worse."
She broke.
He pulled her into his arms.
"I love you," he whispered.
Her sobs shook him.
That night, Nolan sat alone, staring at the city lights.
Isabella slept beside Juan, clutching him like she could fuse their bodies together.
Nathan stood at the doorway.
"You can't go alone," he said again.
Nolan didn't turn. "If I bring backup, they kill her."
"They might kill her anyway," Nathan said.
Nolan's jaw tightened. "Then I make sure they don't enjoy it."
Nathan sighed. "You're walking into a trap."
"Yes," Nolan said.
Nathan stepped closer. "Then let me be the one they don't see."
Nolan finally turned.
Their eyes locked.
"You always were stubborn," Nolan said.
Nathan smirked. "I learned from you."
Silence.
Then Nolan nodded. "Fine."
Nathan exhaled. "Good."
Isabella woke up suddenly.
Her heart was racing.
She looked around.
Nolan wasn't there.
She sat up, panic flooding her.
"Nolan?" she whispered.
She rushed out of the bedroom.
The house was quiet.
Too quiet.
She saw the note on the counter.
Her hands shook as she picked it up.
I'm not leaving you.
I'm coming back to you.
Trust me.
She screamed.
At the docks, the warehouse lights flickered.
Nolan stepped out of the car alone.
Hands visible.
Unarmed.
Marcus stood waiting.
Smiling.
"You came," he said.
Nolan stopped a few feet away.
"Where is she?" he demanded.
Marcus gestured.
A door opened.
Isabella's mother was dragged forward.
Her eyes widened.
"Nolan," she sobbed.
He took a step.
Marcus raised a hand. "Careful."
Nolan froze.
Marcus leaned in. "This is where you beg."
Nolan straightened.
"I don't beg," he said.
Marcus sighed. "Such a shame."
He nodded.
A gun was raised.
Nolan's blood ran cold.
And somewhere miles away, Isabella woke up screaming his name.