Divorce To Marry a CEO

Chapter 19: Kidnapped

Sophia pulled back slightly, her eyes searching his. "He made it clear that this isn’t just about business anymore. He’s coming for us, for me," she said, her voice trembling.
Alexander's jaw clenched, the fire in his eyes burning fiercer.

"He’s trying to scare you, to make you feel vulnerable," he replied, his tone cold and calculating.

"But he’s underestimated us." Sophia nodded, though the fear lingered.

"What do we do?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper. Alexander brushed a strand of hair from her face, his expression softening. "We end this, once and for all."

Alexander hugged her and assured he will protect her. But just as he wanted to talk to her more, his phone rang and his face darkened. He made a quick excuse and went to his study.

Sophia’s legs trembled beneath her as she paced the living room, her mind swirling with Gerald’s threats from the phone call. Every shadow outside the penthouse seemed darker, every creak in the building louder. She couldn’t shake the feeling that the walls were closing in on her, and no amount of reassurance from Alexander could erase the gnawing fear in her chest.

Hours passed since Gerald’s call, but her heart had not slowed. She kept checking her phone, half-expecting another taunting message. The security team remained vigilant, stationed at every corner of the building, but even their presence did little to calm her.

Then, her phone buzzed.

Her heart leapt into her throat as she grabbed it, expecting another message from Gerald. But it wasn’t him—it was Ethan.

“Sophia, it’s Mom,” his voice was hurried, almost frantic. “Something’s wrong. She—she’s not answering her phone, and I don’t know where she is.”

Sophia felt a chill run down her spine. “Ethan, what do you mean? Did you try the house?”

“I did! She’s not there, and I don’t know what else to do. Can you come?”

Sophia froze, her eyes darting toward the door. Alexander had insisted that she stay inside, that their home was the safest place. But this was her family. Her mother.

“I’m on my way,” she whispered, already grabbing her coat.

Without thinking, Sophia rushed to the elevator, her breath coming in short gasps as panic clawed at her chest. Ethan’s distress was contagious, and in the back of her mind, she knew something wasn’t right. But she couldn’t ignore it. Her mother wasn’t answering, and she couldn’t just sit there.

The moment the elevator doors opened to the lobby, she felt eyes on her—security. She quickly waved off their concern, muttering something about an emergency with her family. She needed to move quickly, before anyone could stop her.

Sophia dashed into the street and hailed a cab, her mind racing. Gerald had threatened her just hours ago, but her family... they had to be safe. This couldn’t be connected. It couldn’t.

As the cab sped toward her mother’s house, Sophia’s heart pounded against her ribs. Each passing second felt like an eternity, her worst fears playing out in her head. She should have told Alexander before she left. But she couldn’t wait. There wasn’t time.

The car pulled up to the familiar house, and Sophia bolted out, sprinting toward the front door. She pounded on it, calling out, “Mom! Ethan!”

No answer.

Her heart sank as she fumbled for the spare key under the mat, her hands shaking as she jammed it into the lock. The door swung open, and the house was eerily silent.