Chapter 2 Kidnapped

Hurt. Used. Broken.

Those were the only words to describe how Tessa felt. She stood frozen, staring at Tamlin's bleeding wound, unable to look away.

Who would have thought the man she loved so deeply would betray her like this? That the best friend she trusted with everything would stab her in the back?

How quickly everything had changed.

Now, here she was, blood staining her hands, eyes locked on Tamlin's body as his wound bled heavily.

A horrified shriek shattered the silence.

"Ahhhhhhh!" Yasmin screamed.

Tamlin's gaze flickered with something dark-rage, amusement, something she couldn't place. He gritted his teeth, tearing the bedsheet from the mattress and pressing it against his wound to slow the bleeding. Then, despite his injury, he took a step toward her.

"Oh, Tessa," he said, his voice laced with mockery. "Did you really think you could kill me that easily?"

Tessa's grip tightened on the shattered bottle. Out of pure impulse, she swung at him again, aiming for his chest.

She wasn't fast enough.

Tamlin caught her wrist mid-air, twisting it sharply to the side. Pain shot up her arm as she staggered back, the broken glass slipping from her fingers.

"Arghhh," she groaned, clenching her jaw.

Before she could react, his other hand struck her face-hard. The impact sent her crashing onto the floor. Her golden locs spilled across the ground, sharp glass cutting into her chin, drawing fresh blood.

Her vision blurred. Pain exploded through her skull. Her lip was busted.

Tamlin took slow, calculated steps toward her, his expression unreadable.

His eyes held nothing but anger and deep resentment. He wanted to kill her-but then he changed his mind.

He had other plans for her.

When he approached her, he crouched down, grabbing a handful of her locs and yanking her head up.

He caught sight of her tears, and laughter erupted from his throat.

Yasmin gasped.

This wasn't the man she knew. This wasn't her Tamlin.

"You look so pathetic, Tess." His smirk widened, his voice filled with cruelty. "I told you I was working late, but you just had to interfere. And now... you'll probably die for it."

He tightened his grip, yanking her up roughly-

A sharp kick sent Tamlin flying across the room.

His body slammed into the wall with a loud thud, photo frames crashing to the ground.

Dominic stood there, chest heaving, his fists clenched. His eyes darted to the petite figure on the floor-Tessa. She wasn't moving.

Panic surged through him.

Tamlin, still slumped against the wall, smirked. "I'm sure you're happy now. She might just date you next." He sneered.

Dominic ignored him. He crouched down and carefully lifted Tessa into his arms. Her blood soaked into his shirt, but he didn't care. His only focus was her.

He turned on his heel and walked out.

Tamlin clenched his jaw, turning to Yasmin. "Get dressed. We're going to the hospital."

She nodded, scrambling to grab his clothes.

--- [Hospital – Private Ward]

Dominic sat beside the hospital bed, his eyes fixed on Tessa's unconscious figure.

Her brows twitched. Her lips parted, trying to form words- her eyes tightly shut.

Then, barely above a whisper-"Tamlin..." she called.

Her body suddenly convulsed.

Dominic's heart stopped.

Panic shot through him, and he bolted from the room, shouting for the doctors.

By the time they rushed in, Tessa was awake-but different.

Her expression was empty. Hollow.

Like something inside her had died.

Dominic slowly stepped forward. "Tessa..." He called her name softly.

She turned her head, blinking at him. Then, without hesitation, she widened her arms.

He didn't think twice before pulling her into a warm embrace. She needed this. A moment of comfort.

A doctor wanted to intervene, but the others stopped him telling him that this wasn't the time- they all left leaving just Tessa and Dominic.

They stayed like that for minutes before she finally pulled away, her eyes red and swollen from crying.

Dominic cupped her cheek, searching her face. "What happened?" His voice was gentle.

Tessa took a shaky breath. Her voice was barely audible. "He cheated."

Dominic's brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"He cheated on me. And left me for Yasmin." Her tone turned bitter, but her voice cracked with pain.

Dominic stiffened. Tamlin... cheated?

The memory replayed in her head-Tamlin. Yasmin. Their bodies tangled in bed.

Her stomach churned. She squeezed her eyes shut, gripping her temples as a sharp pain shot through her skull.

"I loved him." Her voice broke. "I loved him so damn much. I wanted to have his children. I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him. And he cheated on me?"

She sucked in a breath, rage and heartbreak twisting inside her like a knife.

"I disobeyed my mother for him. I got disowned for him. I gave him everything I had. And he had the audacity to betray me?"

Dominic remained silent. He didn't know what to say-how to fix this.

She felt sad, angry, betrayed and pained- her emotions all over the place.

Tessa let out a broken laugh, fresh tears streaming down her cheeks. "I thought he loved me. But all he ever wanted was my money."

Her voice cracked.

Dominic clenched his jaw, his hands curling into fists. That bastard.

Tessa's shoulders trembled as another sob wracked through her body.

"I'm sorry, Chipmunk." Dominic whispered, pulling her into his arms again. "I'm so damn sorry."

She clung to him, soaking his shirt with her tears.

Dominic held her tighter. He didn't care.

He just wanted her to be okay. __

Tamlin and Yasmin stepped out of the hospital, the cold night air brushing against their skin. His wound had been treated, and the doctors said he was lucky-the stab hadn't reached his kidneys.

Lucky.

The word irritated him. He shouldn't have been stabbed in the first place.

The silence between them was deafening as they walked toward the car. Yasmin stole glances at him, her mind racing. What will Ash say?

When they reached the car, Tamlin opened the door for her before sliding into the driver's seat.

The moment he shut the door, Yasmin spoke, her voice urgent.

"We need to call the police!" Worry laced her tone as she turned to face him.

Tamlin didn't react. He simply reached for his seatbelt, fastening it with an infuriating calmness.

"Why would we do that?" he asked, his voice eerily composed.

Yasmin gaped at him. Was he serious?

"She almost killed you, Tamlin! What if she tries again? What if-"

"She won't." His voice was firm, cutting through her panic.

Yasmin's brows furrowed. "You don't know that! We need to have her arrested before it's too late! I won't be able to bear it if anything happens to you!"

Tamlin sighed before lifting his hand and tapping her forehead.

"Silly girl." His tone was laced with amusement, but his eyes gleamed with something darker.

"We're not calling the police."

"What? Why?!" she blurted.

He finally turned to her, a smirk playing on his lips. "We need to get her money first."

Yasmin's breath hitched.

"I told you, I have plans for her. So chill." His voice dipped lower, like a devil whispering a deadly promise.

"Once I take everything from her..." He exhaled slowly, his smirk widening. "I'll make sure she disappears. Forever."

Yasmin's heartbeat quickened.

"Promise?" she asked hesitantly.

Tamlin leaned in and pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead.

"I promise."

And with that, he started the car and drove off into the night. ___

[Dominic's House]

"Gently, gently."

Dominic's firm yet careful grip steadied Tessa as he helped her out of the car. Her ankle throbbed-a painful reminder of Tamlin's slap and the fall that followed.

With slow steps, they reached the front door. Dominic pushed it open and led her inside.

The second they stepped in, his eyes darted to the couch-where his clothes were scattered. His face turned crimson.

He rushed over, snatching them up in a panic.

"Sorry..." he muttered, awkwardly stuffing them behind his back.

Tessa couldn't help but smile at his flustered state.

"Sit." His voice was more of a command than a request.

She obeyed, wincing slightly as she sank into the chair.

Dominic wasted no time. He hurried upstairs to drop off his clothes, muttering something about needing a shower.

Tessa exhaled and leaned back. She reached for the remote and switched on the TV, hoping the noise would drown out the memories of tonight.

For a moment, she let herself get lost in the flickering screen.

Then-

A loud knock shattered the silence.

Tessa stiffened.

"Dom? Dom!" she called out.

No response.

He was probably in the shower. He did say he felt itchy earlier.

With a small sigh, she pushed herself up, her ankle screaming in protest. Each step was agonizing, but she forced herself to move, her feet dragging across the floor.

Finally, she reached the door and pulled it open.

"Dom, I brought some-"

Andrew froze.

The moment his eyes landed on her, his expression darkened.

"You."

Tessa swallowed hard.

"Andrew..."

His gaze hardened. "What are you doing here?"

She opened her mouth, but the words refused to come out.

"I...I" she stammered

"You what?" His voice was sharp, edged with resentment. "Do you intend to break his heart again?"

Tessa flinched.

Andrew was Dominic's younger brother. His hatred for her started from the very day he met her but it doubled when she called off the engagement leaving Dominic heart broken.

"Leave. You have nothing to do with him after what you did."

Andrew's rage burned through his every word.

She swallowed back the lump in her throat. "I already apologized... Why can't you forgive me?"

"Are you a child?, do you think an apology can solve everything?" He asked his anger boiling.

Tessa didn't speak anymore she just stood there, motionless like a statue.

Andrew scoffed. "I said get the fuck out."

His words sliced through her like a blade.

"I don't want you anywhere near him."

Her lips trembled. She glanced at him one last time before turning away, limping into the night.

Andrew exhaled, then plopped down onto the couch, flipping the channel. He acted as if nothing had happened.

Minutes later, Dominic came downstairs, his damp hair dripping onto his shirt.

"Hey, Tessa. What do you feel like eating?" he asked absentmindedly, scrolling through his phone.

Silence.

His head snapped up.

No sign of her.

His stomach dropped.

"Where's Tessa?" he asked, eyes narrowing.

Andrew didn't even glance up.

"I chased her out." His tone was casual.

Dominic went rigid.

"What do you mean, you chased her out? Are you insane?!" His voice was sharp, furious.

Andrew shrugged. "She's wounded, not dead. She couldn't have gone far."

Dominic's eyes blazed.

"If I don't find her, I swear to God, I'll kill you."

And with that, he stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

---

Somewhere in the Night

Tessa sat on the pavement, her arms wrapped around herself.

She was hungry. Weak. Alone.

Going home wasn't an option. She couldn't bear the ghosts of her memories with Tamlin.

So instead, she tilted her head back, gazing at the sky.

The stars twinkled down at her, indifferent to her pain.

She lifted a trembling hand, reaching for them, as if by some miracle, she could touch the light.

For a brief moment, she smiled.

Then-

A black van pulled up beside her.

Panic rushed through her veins.

She tried to run-

Something sharp pierced her neck.

Her vision blurred.

Her body wavered, then collapsed.

A figure stepped out of the van, his face shrouded in darkness.

Without hesitation, he lifted her limp body and disappeared into the vehicle.

The van sped off.

Tessa was gone.