Chapter 119
Carlos’s POV
I decided to get someone to investigate who owns the estate now. Maybe they can lead me to whoever has taken her, to whoever is hiding her from me.
Later in the evening, the silence felt heavy. My phone buzzed, breaking my thoughts. It was Faye, and her voice sounded worried as soon as I picked up.
“Carlos, any news on Doris?” she asked. I hesitated, trying to keep my voice steady. “She’s been taken elsewhere, Faye. But I have found traces of her. She was definitely here.”
Faye’s sharp intake of breath echoed over the line. There’s a moment of silence before she spoke again, her voice softer, hesitant. “Cyrus is restless and scared. He keeps asking about you, Carlos.”
Hearing that made me sad, Cyrus is just a kid, but he’s been through so much already. I’ve been so focused on finding Doris that I haven’t stopped to think about how all of this is affecting him. “Put him on the phone, please?” I asked, softening my tone.
There’s a pause, and then a small, anxious voice appeared on the line. “Carlos, are you bringing Doris back?”
I closed my eyes, willing myself to sound reassuring. “I’m close, Cyrus. I’ve found some clues, and I promise I’ll bring her back soon.” I tried to sound confident,
“Okay…” he murmured, his voice a little stronger. “I believe you.”
We talked a bit more, and I tried to lighten the mood, telling him stories to distract him. After I hung up, I sighed tiredly, feeling the worry build up inside me again. I couldn’t let Cyrus down. Doris was out there, and I couldn’t rest until she was safe.
Doris’s POV:
“Giving Up My First Love For Secret Research: Second Chance at Happiness
woke up in a strange room. The walls were white, and everything around me was too perfect. The window showed nothing but water, stretching endlessly in all directions. I -realized then, I was on an island. No roads led to this place, no way to drive away. The only
way in or out was by boat or plane. I was trapped, completely cut off from the world.
Merhold had prepared a lavish room for me. The bed was too soft, the curtains too thick, everything too perfect. It felt more like a gilded cage than comfort. He entered with his
usual calm smile, but I could sense the storm beneath it.
“Why did you
there?”
leave the manor?” he asked, his voice smooth. “Was it uncomfortable for you
I didn’t answer right away. His eyes, dark and piercing, were filled with anger. Merhold moved closer to me, his presence overwhelming. He was handsome, but something in his gaze made my skin crawl. My wolf howled in fear. I felt it too, but I refused to show it.
Instead, I stared at him coldly. “It was fine,” I said.
His eyes darkened, and he stepped even closer, his voice low and almost teasing. “Why do you act like you don’t remember me?” His tone was flirty, as if he expected me to melt under his gaze.
“I don’t know you,” I replied firmly. “And I never will.”
Merhold’s face faltered for a moment, a flash of sadness appeared but it was quickly replaced with arrogance. He reached out to touch my face, his fingers almost brushing my skin. My heart raced, and my wolf screamed louder.
“Don’t touch me,” I snapped, pulling away quickly. I felt my breath quicken as I took a step back. He smirked, undeterred. “There’s a history between us, Doris. Don’t you remember?“I
shook my head, my voice cold. “Even if I did, I don’t want to know you now.”
His face tightened, a flicker of pain crossing his features, but it was quickly replaced with something more dangerous, anger. “I’ve been too gentle with you,” he muttered, his voice low and threatening. “Maybe I need to be harsher.”
Before I could react, Merhold snapped his fingers. Guards rushed in, their hands rough as they secured cold handcuffs around my wrists. I didn’t flinch. My chin stayed high as they led me away.
“Giving Up My First Love For Secret Research Second Chance at Happiness
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Haples 175
we walked, the weight of everything hit me. The cold handcuffs were a constant reminder of my humiliation. The silence felt heavy, and I had no idea what was coming
next.
I suddenly heard a familiar voice from behind. “Are you that stupid?” My heart stopped,
and I froze.
Turning quickly, I spotted a figure standing on the road, yelling at a maid. Her voice was sharp and full of authority as she reprimanded the maid for something trivial.
I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was Sienna. She was alive. How could she be? I remembered her crushed body, lying lifeless after the car accident. How was she standing here, ordering the maid around like nothing had happened?
I couldn’t look away. My mind spun with questions I couldn’t answer. How was she still alive? What was going on here?
