Ariana's heartbeat pounded violently in her chest as the man stepped closer, his presence suffocating the air around her.
"You shouldn't be here," she said, her voice low but steady, even though her fingers trembled slightly at her sides.
A slow, amused smile spread across his face.
"And yet… here I am."
The dim light revealed his features more clearly now—sharp jawline, cold eyes, and that same cruel expression she had tried so hard to forget.
"Did you really think prison could hold me?" he continued, tilting his head slightly. "You underestimate how powerful I am… Ariana."
She clenched her fists.
"I don't care about you," she snapped. "Where is my daughter?"
Straight to the point.
The man chuckled softly, clearly entertained.
"No greeting? No fear? I'm almost disappointed."
Ariana took a step forward, her eyes blazing.
"Where. Is. My. Daughter?"
The amusement in his eyes flickered—but didn't disappear.
"Safe," he said casually.
That one word made her chest tighten.
"Prove it."
For a moment, he simply stared at her—as if measuring her.
Then, slowly, he pulled out his phone.
Ariana's breath caught.
He tapped the screen once… then turned it toward her.
A video.
Her hands shook as she grabbed the phone.
On the screen—
A small girl sat on a bed, clutching a stuffed toy.
Big eyes. Soft hair.
Terrified… but unharmed.
"Mom…" the child whispered weakly, as if she could feel her presence.
Ariana's knees almost gave out.
Tears blurred her vision.
"My baby…" she whispered, her voice breaking.
She reached toward the screen instinctively, as if she could touch her.
"She's alive," the man said calmly. "Just like I promised."
Ariana forced herself to breathe, to stay focused.
"Where is she?" she asked again.
But this time—
He didn't answer.
Instead, he took the phone back slowly, slipping it into his pocket.
"That depends," he said.
Ariana's entire body tensed.
"On what?"
His smile turned darker.
"On what you're willing to give me."
Silence fell between them.
Ariana already knew—
This wasn't going to be simple.
"Say it," she said.
The man stepped closer, his voice dropping.
"I want Adrian."
Everything stopped.
Ariana's eyes widened.
"What…?"
"Not dead," he added calmly. "Alive."
Her mind spun.
"You want… Adrian?" she repeated, disbelief filling her voice.
"Yes," he said simply. "The great CEO. The untouchable man. I want him… in my hands."
Ariana shook her head slowly.
"No… no, that's insane."
"Is it?" he smirked. "Your daughter's life… for his. Sounds like a fair trade to me."
Her chest tightened painfully.
This was a trap.
A cruel, impossible choice.
"You think I'll betray him?" she asked, her voice trembling with anger.
The man leaned closer, his eyes locking onto hers.
"I think," he said softly, "that a mother will do anything for her child."
Those words hit deep.
Too deep.
Ariana's breathing became uneven.
Because he wasn't entirely wrong.
But—
That didn't mean she would break.
"You're wrong," she said finally, her voice cold. "I won't hand him over."
The man studied her carefully.
Then—
He sighed.
"Disappointing."
Before Ariana could react—
He snapped his fingers.
Suddenly—
Footsteps echoed from behind.
Ariana turned sharply—
Her eyes widened in shock.
Adrian.
Held at gunpoint.
Blood on his lip. Hands restrained.
"Adrian!" she gasped.
His eyes immediately found hers.
"Ariana—don't listen to him," he said firmly, ignoring the gun pressed against his head.
The man laughed.
"Did you really think I'd leave such an important piece off the board?" he said.
Ariana's heart raced wildly.
"This was never a negotiation," he continued. "It was leverage."
Adrian struggled slightly, glaring at him.
"You're making a mistake," Adrian said coldly.
"Am I?" the man tilted his head. "Because from where I'm standing… I have everything."
He looked back at Ariana.
"Now," he said, "let's try this again."
He raised his hand slightly—
And one of his men pressed the gun harder against Adrian's head.
"Your daughter… or him."
Ariana felt like her world was collapsing in real time.
Her eyes darted between Adrian and the man.
Her breathing became shallow.
She couldn't think—
Couldn't choose—
Didn't want to choose.
"Ariana," Adrian said, his voice softer now, but firm, "don't do it."
Tears streamed down her face.
"I can't lose you…" she whispered.
Adrian's gaze softened slightly.
"You won't," he said.
Then his eyes hardened again.
"But don't you dare trade yourself—or me—for him."
The man rolled his eyes.
"Touching," he muttered. "But pointless."
He looked at Ariana one last time.
"I'll give you ten seconds," he said calmly.
"Ten…"
Ariana's heart slammed against her ribs.
"Nine…"
Her vision blurred with tears.
"Eight…"
Her mind screamed for an answer.
"Seven…"
Her hands trembled violently.
"Six…"
She looked at Adrian.
Then at the man.
Then—
Back at Adrian.
And suddenly—
Something changed in her expression.
The fear…
Disappeared.
Replaced by something else.
Something dangerous.
She wiped her tears slowly.
And smiled.
A small…
Terrifying smile.
"Okay," she said softly.
"I'll make a deal."
Cliffhanger:
👉 Ariana adds quietly—
"But not the one you're expecting…" 😈
📌 1️⃣
"What do you think will happen next? Share your thoughts in the comments ❤️"
"If you were in this situation, what would you do? Let me know below 💬"
"Do you think their decision was right? 👍 or ❌ in the comments!"
"What do you want to see in the next chapter? Tell me in the comments!"
"Was this character's choice correct? Share your opinion below 💭"
📌 2️⃣
"If you enjoyed this story, don't forget to support with Power Stones 💎"
"Your support motivates me to write more—help me with Power Stones ❤️"
"With your Power Stones, I can release the next chapter faster!"