I lay in bed, my mind hazy with exhaustion.
Time slipped away unnoticed.
Suddenly, rough hands yanked me upright.
Lucas Roscente's eyes burned crimson.
His gaze pinned me like a predator.
"Where's Isabella?" he demanded.
I shook my head, bewildered.
His fingers closed around my throat.
"Sophia Roscente," he hissed. "Have I been too lenient with you?"
Darkness crept into my vision as I choked.
I clawed at his wrists, desperate.
He finally released me.
Gasping, I gulped air.
"I don't know—"
A cold laugh cut me off.
"You were the only ones home."
"Who else could it be?"
My teeth sank into my lower lip.
Tears escaped before I could stop them.
Something flickered in his expression.
His hand lifted toward my damp cheek—
A phone rang sharply.
He answered, his face darkening with each word.
The call ended.
His grip on my arm turned brutal.
"Acting innocent won't save you."
He dragged me off the bed.
Bare feet hit freezing tiles.
My knees smashed against the staircase.
Agony curled me into a ball.
He didn't pause.
The marble floor scraped my legs raw as he pulled.
Blood smeared the tiles behind me.
He shoved me into the car.
The engine roared to life.
His knuckles whitened on the steering wheel.
We reached the private island at dawn.
His men approached immediately.
"Boss, we found Isabella."
In the distance, Isabella hung limp from a metal frame.
Unconscious.
"The kidnappers got away," a subordinate added, glancing at me with uneasy eyes.
They cut Isabella down.
She stirred weakly.
"Lucas..." Her voice was a whisper.
Then her eyes found me.
"Sophia... why would you do this?"
"No!" I shook violently. "It wasn't me—"
The slap split my lip.
My face burned.
Lucas cradled Isabella against his chest.
His glacial stare raked over me.
"Stay here and reflect on your sins."
He turned without another word.
Isabella peered over his shoulder.
A triumphant smirk curled her mouth.
The sea wind carved through my bones.
I trembled uncontrollably.
The System's chime echoed in my skull.
"Five days remain."
I closed my eyes.
Perhaps this was for the best.
As consciousness faded—
Footsteps crunched on gravel.
Lucas had returned.