Yuna:
The air in the garage felt heavier with every passing second.
Yuna's shoulders shook as quiet sobs escaped her, her head slightly lowered, strands of her hair falling across her face.
"…Ethan…" she whispered again, her voice barely there.
"Shut up."
Adrian's voice cut through the silence like a blade.
Yuna flinched instantly.
Her breath hitched as she looked up at him.
His expression had changed.
Colder.
More dangerous.
He stepped closer, his shoes echoing against the concrete floor.
"If he doesn't care about you," Adrian said slowly, his eyes scanning her face, "then you're of no use to me."
Yuna's heart dropped.
"…What?"
A faint, unsettling smile appeared on his lips.
"Which means," he continued, tilting his head slightly, "you can be mine instead."
Her body stiffened.
Fear crawled up her spine.
"No—"
He reached out suddenly and grabbed her chin, forcing her face up.
"You have a pretty face," he said, almost thoughtfully.
Yuna tried to pull back, but the ropes held her in place.
"And a beautiful body too."
Her eyes filled with tears again.
"Don't touch me!" she cried, her voice breaking.
Adrian's grip tightened for a second, then he let go with a small chuckle.
"You don't have much choice right now."
Yuna shook her head repeatedly, panic rising.
"No… please…"
But he had already turned away slightly.
"Start recording."
One of his men stepped forward with a phone.
The camera was lifted.
Pointed directly at her.
Yuna froze.
Her breathing became uneven.
"What are you doing…?" she whispered.
Adrian stepped into the frame.
Then suddenly—
He grabbed her face again, rougher this time, forcing her to look straight ahead.
"Look at the camera," he said coldly.
Yuna's lips trembled.
Tears rolled down her cheeks as she was forced to face the lens.
Adrian looked into the camera, his expression calm but filled with threat.
"Ethan," he began.
His voice was steady.
Controlled.
"If you're seeing this…"
He tightened his grip slightly on Yuna's face.
"Then you already know who I have."
Yuna let out a small, broken sound.
"Please…" she whispered, barely audible.
Adrian ignored her.
"If you don't come," he continued, his tone darkening, "I'll kill her."
Yuna's eyes widened in fear.
Her breath caught in her throat.
Then—
Adrian reached into his pocket.
And pulled out a knife.
The metal gleamed faintly under the dim light.
Yuna's entire body tensed.
"No…"
Her voice shook uncontrollably.
"Please don't…"
Adrian brought the knife close to her face.
Close enough for her to feel the cold edge.
"If that doesn't get your attention…" he said, his eyes still on the camera.
The blade moved slightly downward—
Resting dangerously close to her neck.
"Maybe I'll find other ways to use her."
Yuna's breathing turned into quiet gasps.
Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.
"Ethan…" she whispered, her voice breaking completely.
The knife pressed just enough—
A sharp sting—
And a thin line of blood appeared on her skin.
Yuna flinched, a soft cry escaping her lips.
Adrian didn't react.
"If you care about her," he said coldly, "you know where to find me."
Then he looked directly into the camera one last time.
"Don't be late."
The recording stopped.
---
Adrian stepped back.
The knife disappeared from her skin.
But the fear stayed.
Yuna's body trembled uncontrollably.
Her head dropped slightly as she tried to breathe.
Tried to calm down.
But she couldn't.
Adrian looked at one of his men.
"Send it."
"Yes, sir."
Then he turned and walked away.
Just like that.
Leaving her behind.
---
Two guards stayed in the garage.
Watching.
Silent.
Yuna sat there, tied, shaking.
Her tears didn't stop.
Her chest felt tight.
Heavy.
Like she couldn't breathe properly.
Her mind raced with fear.
Not just for herself.
But for—
Ethan.
Luca.
Everyone.
"He said he'll kill them…" she whispered, her voice trembling.
Her fingers clenched weakly against the ropes.
"This is because of him…"
Her breathing became uneven again.
"If anything happens…"
Her eyes closed tightly.
"…it'll be because of Ethan."
A tear slipped down her cheek.
Her voice broke again.
"I'll hate him again…"
The words hurt her as much as they scared her.
Because she didn't want to hate him.
Not after everything.
Not after loving him this much.
But fear was stronger right now.
Fear for her family.
Fear for their lives.
Fear for what was coming next.
Yuna slowly lifted her head, her eyes red, her face pale.
The thin line of blood on her neck still stung.
The silence of the garage pressed down on her.
And for the first time—
She realized—
This wasn't just about being saved anymore.
This was about survival.
And she didn't know—
If Ethan would come in time.