Disappearance: A broken Wing

For you

It had been three months since I last spoke to Baxton. My stomach had grown round and heavy, and Hito refused to leave me alone for even a second. I hated being watched, but the worst part was how he acted like this pregnancy—his supposed "child"—gave him some twisted claim over me.

"Listen up," Hito announced to the room full of guards and servants. "Since my beloved girlfriend is pregnant, I want to take her somewhere special. Only a handful of you will come with us to the mountains. If I haven't personally invited you, you're staying here. Keto will be watching over the rest."

Girlfriend? My stomach churned at the word. "Babe, come on. We need to pack our things," he added, like this was some romantic getaway.

"Wait, where are we going?"

"For a little escape. Come on." He didn't wait for my answer. I followed him back to the room, watching as he began shoving clothes into bags. My mind drifted to Zayden. Would I ever see my brother again?

A knock interrupted us. "Come in," Hito barked.

Baxton stepped inside, suitcase in hand. "Uncle, the car is packed out front," he said.

"Good. Baxton, take Kara to the vehicle. I'll be right out."

"Yes, sir."

I followed Baxton, but he never once looked at me. He didn't speak, didn't even acknowledge me like I was a real person. It was like I didn't exist anymore.

"After you," he muttered, holding open the car door.

"Baxton, can we talk?" I asked, the words spilling out before I could stop them.

"Ma'am, respectfully, we have nothing to talk about."

"Ma'am?" My voice cracked with anger. "I am not some spoiled wife with a diamond ring on her hand. Don't you dare call me that."

"You're carrying my uncle's child. So, you might as well be one."

"That's it. I'm sick of you ignoring me. And when you do talk to me, you treat me like I don't matter. I hate your uncle to the core, Baxton... but right now, I hate you too." My voice trembled. "Yes, I'm pregnant. But who's to say this baby is even his? You think I wanted this? No. I'm pregnant because of you. Your plan. Your failure."

The words hit him like bullets. His jaw tightened, and though he didn't look at me, I saw the glimmer of a tear sliding down his face.

Before he could respond, Hito walked out of the house, looking pleased with himself. "Are we all ready?"

"Yes, sir," Baxton muttered, his face stony again.

"Great. Let's get on the road."

The trip was long—too long. I must've fallen asleep at least three times, my body slumped against the car door. After nearly ten hours, we arrived at a massive house nestled in the mountains. It wasn't just big—it looked like three mansions stitched together, each one more intimidating than the last.

Waiters stood outside in a perfect line, balancing trays of wine glasses. The whole scene felt surreal, like I was being paraded into hell disguised as paradise.

"Come on, love," Hito said, wrapping his arm around me. "Let me show you around."

Inside, the house was even more overwhelming. The walls were covered in ornate wallpaper, the furniture heavy and antique, and the hallways seemed endless. Hito showed me the libraries, a sprawling garden, and a wine cellar big enough to hide in. Finally, he brought me to a grand dining room—large enough to park sixteen cars, maybe more.

When he showed me our room, my chest tightened. I unpacked my clothes and sat on the bed, staring at nothing. My thoughts wandered back to Zayden. Was he looking for me? Or had everyone given up?

"What are you thinking about, love?" Hito asked, kissing the side of my neck.

"Nothing," I muttered.

"Well, dinner's ready. Come eat."

The dining table looked like a royal feast, covered in food I didn't even have the appetite for.

"I would like to make a toast," Hito announced, standing up. "It's been almost a year since we lost Mick, but thanks to Kara carrying my child, we now have another heir to my fortune. I promise to avoid the mistakes I made with Mick. To the future."

"To the future," everyone echoed, glasses raised.

I stared at all the faces, forcing a smile. Baxton's gaze caught mine across the table. His eyes looked... sad. Empty. The word heir stuck in my head like poison. I would die before I let my baby become part of this life. I had to find a way out.

That night, after Hito had fallen asleep, I slipped out of bed and padded down the hallway. Every step made my heart pound harder. I didn't know where I was going, but I had to try. Then I saw it—a door marked EXIT.

My fingers wrapped around the handle. I pushed it open—

—and a deafening siren exploded through the halls.

Panic surged through me. I had no idea how to shut it off. Footsteps pounded closer. My heart thrashed against my ribs as I froze in place. Then I felt a hand on my shoulder.

I spun around.

Baxton.

"Pretend you went to the library," he whispered urgently.

"What?"

"Just do it!" He shoved me into a side room and stepped into my place.

Through a crack in the door, I watched as Hito and his men stormed down the hall, batons in hand.

"Where is Kara?" Hito barked.

"I don't know. I haven't seen her," Baxton lied.

"Why did the alarm go off?"

"I... needed air."

"You needed air?" Hito's voice dripped with venom. "What have I told you about opening that door?"

I couldn't let him take the blame. Taking a deep breath, I stepped out.

"KARA," Hito roared. "Why weren't you in bed?"

"I went to the library," I said, raising my voice over the siren. "What's going on?"

"You expect me to believe you were in the library?"

"I wanted to read a book. Forgive me if I couldn't do that at the farmhouse. Reading helps me forget that I'm trapped here."

Hito stared at me, his face a storm of suspicion. Finally, he sneered. "Fine. Boys, teach Baxton a lesson for sounding the alarm. I've got to call a tech company to shut this damn thing up."

Three men descended on Baxton, beating him mercilessly with their batons. I tried to go to him, but Hito grabbed my arm and dragged me away. I looked back just long enough to see Baxton on the ground, bleeding out.