Kidnapped - A Beautiful Blessing

tless, yet it felt like a shackle around her body. The makeup artist curled the ends of her hair with practiced precision, letting them fall in soft waves down her back.

on her eyelids, and her lips painted a shade that was ba

r reflection, an unsettlin

maculate. Her makeup? Not a single imperfection. But the longer she stared, the stro

wasn'

r soul, binding her in ways she still didn't fully comprehend. No matter how much she tried to deny it

er trance. She blinked, her gaze shifting to

the woman said softly,

e scent of roses and lilies mingling in the air, but all she could think about was their fate. So

lik

deeply, willing the emotion back down into the hollow space in

the mirror. The air in the room felt heavy, pressing against her skin, and she f

he door

elt it in her bones. Her eyes lifted slowly, drawn by an i

ri

, each line sharp, each movement controlled. His presence filled the r

about to ask for water, if only to break the

" he o

, firm, leaving no

with her. Without hesitation, she followed him, her movements automatic-l

re they were going

nce was eerie, save for the distant hum of voices beyond the walls. It wasn't until the

her, his gaze dar

quieter now, but just as firm.

quet. "You mean the stage?" she whis

her a si

ord, he stepped through the

ood, staring at the closed

nd them grew louder, and

rning

torm that loomed on the horizon. A sharp gust of wind swept through the air, rustling the hem of her gown and sending

is

ing sensation burned behind her eyes, but she refused to let the tears fall. Her throat ached from the effort of holding ever

nted t

ck, a desperate attempt to retreat from the inevitable, from t

re stepped i

against the sheer bulk of muscle beneath. His gaze, though hidd

ide," he said, his vo

roses. The storm in her chest warred against the one in the sky, bo

ard and forced

hall beyond. The moment she stepped inside, the world seemed to narrow-be

eath c

he crossed the threshold. There was no hesitation in his stare, no flicker of doubt or unease. He s

into her, a silent vow before

f water landed

ano

in

into background noise, drowned out by the pounding of her heartbeat. Her pulse race

oom s

as an unexpected dizziness swept over her. The ground fel

wrapped aroun

ri

loped her as he held her firm. The warmth of his touch cut through

gers clutching onto the expensive fabric of his coat. She held o

never w

less, as if he had expected this-expected her

moment before continuing, fill

vow cam

through the air, st

d

those two simple words pressed into h

t was h

ut the room was silent, the air thick with expectation. Her pulse thundered in her ears

d

e a solemn nod

may kiss t

rely noticed. The world had shrunk again, until there was nothi

rd, closing the smal

His touch was both possessive and reverent, a contradiction she couldn't

ps met

from her lungs. It wasn't gentle. It wasn't soft. It was firm,

th

ky ro

, as if the heavens themselves had t

s. Gasps and shrieks filled the air as the guests scrambl

lent shiver through her, but before she could pull

d noise, her gaze caught on

t to shield his wife as he carried her through the downpour. Their laught

Sasha's che

eeting second, she allo

hat love l

he entrance. His grip was firm, steady, yet strangely gentle

starkly with the chill of her rain-soaked dress. Goosebumps erup

said no

didn't

g, made her stomach twist i

ing of glasses and the distant hum of rain against the towering windows. Chandeliers cast golden li

nside, Sasha felt a chill

avigate. The scent of aged wine and expensive cologne clung to the air, yet all she could focus on was th

of unfamiliar faces,

this world of calculated power plays and whispered secrets. She was striking-dark eyes gleam

th, carrying the kind of confidence that c

lying, her voice softer th

presence. Then, with an amused curve of her lips, she continue

a te

sse

ear the bar. Darius was deep in conversation with another man-t

as brutal as it was polished. Ruthless in business. Dangerou

Sasha's attention back

she should introduce herself properly, but for some reason, her nam

ly said, her voice

usement flickering in h

g on her heels. "It's just...

sn't

real

t, then gave a knowing nod.

han just politeness. Before Sasha could dwell on it, Léa

they meet," she said with a small, conspirat

be guided to a table in the far corner. The chair was cool against her sk

ht?" Léa asked, swirling

, watching h

know, Léa isn't

off guard by the sudde

ze turning distant, as if recalling a memory only she could see. "He said it mea

on. Across the room, he was sipping his wine, hi

somethin

n exchange passe

to the smallest, mos

in a way that made Sasha look away, her s

," Léa admitted, turning h

mean he kidnapped you

tween them

on-a shadow of something deep, something painful. But it was g

taking another sip of her

g sharp and bitter

ut before she could stop them. "I could never

of arguing, she smiled and said, "'Love looks not with the eyes,

rowned.

t about logic. It doesn't fall for appearances or circumstances-it fal

hroat fel

e whispered, almost to herself. "And s

ed her ca

he simply nodded, as if acknowledgi

t uncomfortable. It was the kind of silenc

nce, Sasha felt

ep, somethin

wasn't ready