Night had already fallen over the city when Sheila stepped out of the upscale lounge she had been visiting with a few friends. The street outside was quieter than usual, the glow of streetlights reflecting off the pavement.
Sheila adjusted her coat and walked toward her car, her heels clicking confidently against the ground.
Her mind drifted briefly to Vincent.
Seeing him again at his office earlier had stirred emotions she thought she had buried long ago. The way he had looked at Anna… the subtle protectiveness in his eyes… it irritated her more than she cared to admit.
Vincent had once looked at her like that.
And now he was looking at someone else.
Sheila sighed softly and pulled out her car keys.
Before she could unlock the door, a black van screeched to a stop beside her.
Her eyes widened.
The door slid open and two men jumped out.
"Hey—what are you—"
Before she could finish, one of them grabbed her arms while another covered her mouth.
Her muffled scream disappeared into the night as they dragged her into the van.
The door slammed shut.
Within seconds, the vehicle sped away.
The van eventually stopped at an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city.
Sheila was shoved into a chair, her hands tied behind her back.
Her breathing was uneven, but her sharp mind was already working.
A few men stood around watching her.
Then the large metal door creaked open.
A man walked in slowly, his footsteps calm and deliberate.
Maverick.
He stopped a few feet in front of her, studying her like a predator examining its prey.
"So," he said quietly, "you're Vincent's girlfriend."
Sheila blinked in confusion.
"What?"
Maverick tossed a photograph onto the table in front of her.
It was the picture of her standing beside Vincent.
Understanding dawned in her eyes.
They think I'm still with him.
Sheila leaned back slightly in the chair, her fear slowly shifting into something else.
Opportunity.
"You kidnapped the wrong woman," she said calmly.
Maverick's eyes narrowed.
"Oh?"
"Yes," Sheila replied coolly. "I'm not his girlfriend."
One of the men scoffed.
"Boss, she's lying."
Sheila rolled her eyes.
"Believe whatever you want, but if I were his girlfriend, do you think I'd still be alive after you grabbed me?"
Maverick studied her carefully.
"Then what are you to him?"
She smirked slightly.
"I'm his ex."
The room fell quiet.
Maverick folded his arms.
"And who is his girlfriend now?"
Sheila hesitated for only a second.
"Anna."
Maverick leaned forward slightly.
"Anna?"
"Yes," Sheila said slowly. "She works for him."
The men exchanged looks.
Maverick walked closer.
"If what you're saying is true… then why should I believe you?"
Sheila tilted her head slightly.
"Because I can help you."
Maverick's eyes sharpened.
"Explain."
She leaned forward as much as the ropes allowed.
"You want Vincent, right? You want to hurt him."
Maverick didn't respond.
She smiled faintly.
"Then you're going after the wrong woman."
He stared at her silently.
She continued.
"Anna is the one he actually cares about."
The words tasted bitter in her mouth, but she forced them out.
Maverick considered this.
"You're suggesting we take her instead."
"Yes."
One of the men frowned.
"But why would you help us?"
Sheila laughed softly.
"Oh please. I'm not helping you."
Her eyes darkened slightly.
"I'm helping myself."
Maverick raised an eyebrow.
"And what exactly do you gain?"
Sheila's gaze hardened.
"Anna disappears."
The men exchanged uneasy looks.
Maverick studied her carefully.
"You hate her."
Sheila's smile returned, but it didn't reach her eyes.
"I don't hate her," she said calmly.
"I just want her out of Vincent's life."
Maverick leaned back slightly.
"And you expect me to trust you?"
She shrugged.
"You don't have to trust me."
Her voice lowered slightly.
"But if you want Vincent to suffer… Anna is the key."
Maverick remained silent for several seconds.
Then slowly, he began to smile.
"You're an interesting woman."
Sheila smirked.
"So I've been told."
He turned to his men.
"Untie her."
They hesitated.
"But boss—"
"Do it."
Reluctantly, one of them stepped forward and cut the ropes binding her wrists.
Sheila rubbed them slightly, standing up.
Maverick walked around the table slowly.
"If this is a trap," he said quietly, "you'll regret it."
Sheila met his gaze confidently.
"It's not."
He stopped in front of her.
"Then tell me your plan."
Sheila smiled slowly.
"Oh, I have a very good one."
Later that night, the warehouse lights dimmed slightly as the group gathered around the table.
Sheila pointed to a map spread across the surface.
"Anna leaves work around six most days," she explained.
"She sometimes meets her friend at a café, but recently she's been going home alone."
Maverick listened carefully.
"And Vincent?"
"He's usually busy in the evenings," Sheila said. "Meetings. Business."
She tapped a location on the map.
"There's a street she takes that's quiet."
One of the men leaned forward.
"You're saying we grab her there?"
She nodded.
"Quick. Clean. No witnesses."
Maverick watched her closely.
"You seem very eager."
Sheila's expression hardened slightly.
"I'm practical."
But inside, her thoughts were far more complicated.
She didn't want Vincent hurt.
Despite everything, a part of her still cared about him.
But Anna…
Anna was the problem.
Anna was the reason Vincent had moved on.
And Sheila couldn't allow that.
If Anna disappeared, Vincent would eventually return to her.
Or at least… he wouldn't belong to someone else.
Maverick leaned back in his chair.
"This could work."
One of the men looked uncertain.
"What if Vincent retaliates?"
Maverick smirked.
"Oh, he will."
His eyes darkened.
"And when he does… we'll be ready."
Sheila crossed her arms quietly, watching the plan unfold.
A small, satisfied smile touched her lips.
Anna had no idea what was coming.