Sarah stirred in and out of consciousness, her head throbbing from the punch Joker had delivered. She barely remembered the encounter, but bits and pieces came back to her , the lie about John liking football, the realization that this man wasn't a friend, and her desperate attempt to flee.
Suddenly, her eyes snapped open. She was no longer in her home. The room around her was unfamiliar , dark, cold, with a faint musty odor. A basement, maybe? She tried to move, but her wrists were tied behind her, and her ankles were bound to the chair she sat in.
Panic began to rise in her chest. How had this happened? Where was John? What did they want with her?
Footsteps echoed in the distance, and Sarah's heart raced. Whoever was coming, she had to be ready.
The door creaked open, and Evelyn Lance stepped inside, a satisfied smirk on her face. "Oh, Sarah. I told you not to marry that pauper. And now, look where we are."
Sarah glared at her mother, anger burning through her fear. "What have you done to John?"
Evelyn's smile faded. "John was never part of the plan, Sarah. You were supposed to marry someone worthy of the Lance name, someone who could save this family from ruin. But you defied us."
"I love him," Sarah spat, her voice trembling with fury. "And I'm pregnant with his child."
Evelyn's eyes narrowed, but she showed no sign of backing down. "That's unfortunate, Sarah. But it doesn't change anything. You will leave him, and you will marry Oliver McCarthy. Or… well, let's just say, accidents happen."
Sarah's blood turned to ice. She knew her mother wasn't bluffing. But one thing was certain , she wasn't going to let Evelyn control her life. Not anymore.
"Go to hell, Mother," Sarah hissed.
Evelyn's smile returned, cold and calculated. "We'll see about that, dear."
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John's pulse raced. The ropes around his wrists were almost undone, but the men were closing in. He couldn't afford to hesitate any longer. With a sudden burst of adrenaline, he yanked his hands free, startling the short man, whose eyes widened in surprise.
Without thinking, John leaped up from the chair, using it as a shield as he swung it toward the two hulking guards. The wooden legs caught one of them in the chest, sending him stumbling backward. But the second guard lunged forward, grabbing John's arm in a vice-like grip.
John twisted, bringing his knee up into the guard's stomach. The man grunted, loosening his grip just enough for John to break free. He dashed toward the door, but the short man was already there, blocking his exit with a smug grin.
"You're not going anywhere, West."
John didn't stop. He threw his full weight into the man, slamming him against the wall. The man cursed as he collapsed to the floor, and John didn't waste a second. He sprinted out of the warehouse, his legs burning as he ran into the night, the sounds of the men's shouts fading behind him.
He didn't know how long he ran, only that he had to get to Sarah. She was the only thing that mattered now.
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Sarah glared at her mother, her fury seething just beneath the surface. She had always known Evelyn was ruthless, but hearing her coldly dismiss John's life,and their unborn child,was more than she could bear.
"You really think I'd go along with this? Marry Oliver after everything?" Sarah's voice was sharp, defiant.
Evelyn's lips curled into a tight smile. "You'll have no choice, my dear. If you want to keep that child of yours safe, you'll do what I say. You and John have caused enough damage to this family already."
Sarah's heart pounded. She had to find a way out. She had to warn John. But her hands were still bound behind her, and Evelyn was watching her every move.
Suddenly, there was a noise,a crash from upstairs. Evelyn straightened, her smile faltering for the first time. "Stay here," she ordered, turning to leave the room.
As soon as Evelyn was out of sight, Sarah leaned forward, trying to reach for the knot tying her hands together. She tugged, her fingers fumbling as her heartbeat thundered in her ears. She had to get free. She had to find John.
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John didn't stop running until he reached the edge of town. His lungs burned, his legs ached, but he pushed himself forward. He could only think of Sarah,how he had to get to her before it was too late. He knew Evelyn was ruthless, but he had underestimated just how far she was willing to go. If she found Sarah, there was no telling what she might do.
John slowed as he reached the familiar street leading to their small home. The sight of the house brought a momentary wave of relief, but it quickly vanished when he saw the front door slightly ajar. His stomach dropped.
He rushed up the steps, his hand shaking as he pushed the door open. "Sarah?" His voice echoed in the empty hallway.
Silence.
John's heart pounded as he searched the rooms, each one eerily still. The kitchen, the living room,nothing. No sign of Sarah. His mind raced, panic clawing at his thoughts. Where was she? Had Evelyn already gotten to her?
He stopped in the bedroom, his eyes scanning the space for any clues. That's when he noticed the slight scuff marks near the door,marks that hadn't been there before. His eyes narrowed as he knelt down, running his fingers over the floor. There had been a struggle.
"Sarah…"
John's breath came in shallow gasps as he stood, his gaze locking onto the phone on the bedside table. It was Sarah's. She never went anywhere without it.
His hands trembled as he picked it up, hoping for a clue, anything to tell him where she might have gone. There were no new messages, no missed calls. Just an eerie, unsettling silence.
Suddenly, the front door creaked open.
John froze, his pulse spiking. He turned slowly, his muscles tense, ready for whoever,or whatever,was about to step through.
The shadow in the doorway was tall, broad-shouldered, and unmistakable.
"Looking for someone?" Taylor Lance's cold voice slithered into the room. He stepped forward, a dark grin spreading across his face. Behind him, two more figures,Joker's men,blocked the doorway, their expressions unreadable.
John's mind raced. Sarah was gone, and now he was trapped. He had managed to escape once, but the odds weren't in his favor now.
Taylor leaned against the doorframe, his smirk deepening as he folded his arms across his chest. "You're not as clever as you think, West. You really thought you could escape, didn't you? Thought you could just waltz back here and save her?"
John's heart thudded in his chest. "Where is she?" he demanded, his voice low, dangerous.
Taylor's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "Oh, don't worry. Sarah's safe… for now. But if you don't do exactly what we say, that might change. It's simple, really. You disappear from her life forever, or she won't have one."