Chapter Seven:
Everything happened in seconds.
The van screeched,Doors slid open.
Two masked men rushed forward.
Lily didn't even understand what was happening until they grabbed her mother's wheelchair.
"HEY!" Lily screamed.
Her mother cried out in fear.
"Lily!"
Ethan reacted instantly.
"Stop!"
He lunged forward, grabbing one of the men. They struggled violently. The other man shoved Lily aside and pushed the wheelchair toward the van.
"No! Don't take her!" Lily cried, trying to hold on.
The masked man shoved her hard and She fell to the ground.
Ethan punched the man he grabbed, knocking off his mask. The man staggered back.
But the second kidnapper had already lifted Lily's mother into the van.
The first man recovered and pushed Ethan backward.
Then—The van door slammed shut.
Tires screeched.
And the vehicle sped away.
"NO!!!" Lily screamed, running after it.
But it was gone,Just like that.
Her mother… taken again.
Lily collapsed to her knees.
"This can't be happening…"
Ethan stood frozen, breathing hard. Rage filled his eyes.
"I saw his face," he said quietly.
Lily looked up.
"You did?"
"Yes."
"Who is he?"
Ethan's jaw tightened.
"He works security for my family estate."
Her heart dropped.
"Your… family?" "Yes."
She shook her head and said .they promised they'd let her go…"
"They lied."
Tears streamed down her face.
"This is my fault… I followed everything…"
Ethan stepped closer."No. This is on them."
She looked at him and said to him,
"You shouldn't be here. They warned me. "lily cried out.
"I don't care."Ethan said
"They'll hurt her! And I don't want to loose my mother.Her breathing was uneven.
"I don't know what to do anymore…"
Ethan's voice turned firm.
"Now we fight back."She shook her head.
"They're powerful… they're watching…"
"So am I."
He pulled out his phone.
"Daniel, activate everything. I want that van tracked."
He ended the call.
Lily wiped her tears,she told "Ethan"You're risking everything."
"I already did."
She looked at him in Fear. Hope and Confusion.All mixed together.
Sirens approached.
Police cars arrived and Officers rushed over.
"What happened?"
"They took my mother again!" Lily cried.
Statements were taken,and descriptions given,But Lily felt numb.
This was no longer random.
Someone wanted her terrified and Broken.
They want her out of Ethan's life.
And they weren't stopping.
Later that night, Lily sat in Ethan's penthouse.She didn't want to be alone.
He didn't want her unsafe.They sat in silence.
City lights flickered outside.
Daniel entered and said "I got something."
Ethan stood immediately.
"What?"
"Traffic cameras caught the van."
"Where did it go?"
Daniel placed the tablet down.
"It headed toward the north side… then disappeared near private property."
Ethan leaned closer "Which property?"
Daniel hesitated.
Then said quietly— "Blackwood Hills Estate." Lily's heart stopped.
"That's… your family's house?"
Ethan nodded slowly. "Yes."
Her hands trembled.
"They're keeping her there?"
"It looks like it."Ethan replied
Fear filled her chest.
"If we go there… they'll deny everything."
"I know."
"Then what do we do?"Ethan's eyes hardened.
"We don't ask permission."
Daniel looked uneasy "That's risky."
"I don't care."
Lily grabbed his arm.
"If this is your family… confronting them could make things worse."
Ethan told her that"They already crossed the line."
Her voice shook.
"I don't want your family destroyed because of me."
He looked at her and said, this isn't because of you. This is because they think they can control me,and "I'm going there tonight."
Her heart raced and she said "then I'm coming with you." "No."
"She's my mother!"
"And I won't let you walk into danger."
She stared at him and said"
"I'm not staying behind."He hesitated.
Then sighed.
"Fine. But you stay in the car."
She nodded.
They left immediately.
The Blackwood Hills Estate stood like a fortress.
Massive gates,security guards.
Cameras everywhere.
Lily's stomach twisted."This is terrifying…"
Ethan drove forward.
The guard recognized him immediately.
"Good evening, Mr. Blackwood."
The gate opened and they entered.
Lily's heart pounded.
The mansion lights glowed softly.
Everything looked too calm.
They stepped out from the car
Ethan walked inside without knocking.
Servants froze.
His mother appeared at the top of the staircase.
Victoria Blackwood looked composed.
"Ethan. This is unexpected." His voice was cold."Where is she?
She frowned and asked
"Where is who?"
"Don't play games with me mum.you know whom am talking about,where is Lily's mother."
Her eyes flicked briefly to Lily.
Then back to Ethan.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
He stepped closer and told her that She was taken. The van came here."
"That's absurd." Lily spoke, voice shaking.
"Please… if you have my mum… just let her go."Victoria's expression stayed calm.
"You think I kidnapped someone?"
Ethan's patience snapped.
"Search the house guards."
Victoria's tone sharpened.
"No one searches my home."
Ethan didn't move. "I will mum."
He walked past her, She turned sharply.
"Ethan, stop."He ignored her.
Lily followed nervously.
They checked the rooms.
Hallways,guest wing ,but they found
Nothing.
Then—From downstairs…
A faint sound like someone hitting metal.
Lily froze.
"Did you hear that?"Ethan stopped.
They both listened again.
A muffled thud,Coming from below Basement.Ethan's eyes darkened.
He moved toward the basement door.
Victoria stepped in front of him.
"You're not going down there."
He looked at her. "Move away mum."
"but she said no."
Then there was a heavy silence.
Then Lily heard it again.A weak voice.
"Mmm… help…"
Her heart stopped. "That's my mom!"
She rushed forward ,But guards grabbed her."Let me go!" she screamed.
Ethan's voice turned deadly calm.
"Move… or I make you move."
Victoria didn't budge.
"You're making a mistake." He stepped forward and then—The basement lights suddenly went out.
The entire mansion went dark.
Lily gasped.
Emergency lights flickered, Then…A loud crash echoed from below.
And a scream.