Christian

I should've known.

The moment Tanya's eyes met mine that day, wide and filled with tears, I knew I had messed up.

My head was still spinning from whatever the hell Ashley had spilled into my drink, but no matter how much I tried to chase the fog away, Tanya was already gone. I didn't even get the chance to explain. Just the slam of the front door and then nothing but the sound of my own ragged breathing.

"Tanya!" I yelled after her, bolting out of the bed. My voice echoed through the halls like a desperate ghost.

“Guards!”

The guards were on their feet in seconds.

"Find Tanya!" I growled. "Now."

They nodded, scattering like trained dogs. Meanwhile, Ashley stood there like she owned the place, wearing nothing but my shirt and a smug smile.

"That was unfortunate," she purred.

I snapped. "Get out!"

She blinked. "Excuse me?"

"I said get out of my house. Now."

Ashley took a step back, clearly startled. "Christian, don't be dramatic. It was just a little —"

"Leave!" I thundered, slamming my fist into the wall beside her. "Before I do something you'll regret."

Her expression twisted. "You're choosing her? The girl who probably used you for —"

"Out!"

She flinched, finally moving. As she stomped past, she muttered something under her breath, and I didn't catch it. She could curse me to hell for all I cared. The only thing that mattered was Tanya.

I tore through my call history to reach her, only to realize —

Gone.

Her number? Deleted. Her messages? Wiped.

Rage bubbled in my chest. "Ashley!"

But she was already gone.

I went to the phone company demanding every call log, every record only to be told everything had been erased, like Us never existed. My fists clenched so hard, blood trickled from my palms.

She did this. That snake.

I drive through the city like a man possessed. One day turned into two. Two into three. No Tanya. Not a trace. Not a whisper. It was like she'd been swallowed by the earth.

I couldn't sleep. I couldn't eat. Every second felt like I was drowning.

I tried to explain it in my head. How that night had been a trap, how Ashley had drugged me. But explanations meant nothing when the woman I needed to be what they were wasn't even around.

On the third night, I was slumped in my office, staring at the city lights, when Sarah stepped in.

"You have a call."

"Not now." I muttered.

"It's your grandmother."

I straightened and took the call.

"Noona," I breathed.

"Christian, my sweet boy," she said warmly. "Is it true? Ashley said you chased her out?"

I gritted my teeth. "She's a snake, Noona. If I see her again. I'll have her arrested."

A pause. Then, "Even while she's pregnant?"

My blood turned to ice.

"She's not pregnant," I said through gritted teeth. "It was one night. A mistake. A goddamn accident."

"Accident or not, she says she's carrying your child."

I stood, pushing away from the desk. "She's lying. I don't love her. I never will."

"I'm coming to see you. We need to talk."

"Fine."

We hung up. I buried my face in my hands. The air felt suffocating.

I froze when I smelled something familiar. Sweet.

It was Tanya's perfume.

I jerked my head up. The scent still drifted in the air. She was here.

I ran out of the office. "Tanya!"

Nothing.

"Tanya!"

No answer.

I fell to my knees. "Fuck!"

My chest tightened. The pain was unbearable. I missed her. Damn it, I missed her.

The next day, Noona arrived. I ran to her like a child. Her arms were safe. She was the only one left in my family who didn't want me sex feet under.

We talked for a while, her voice gentle, asking questions I barely answered.

Then Ashley showed up.

Uninvited.

"Noona!" She chirped, holding a box of macarons. "Your favourite."

I didn't miss the pleased look on grandma's face. She adored those damn macarons. Ashley knew it.

And I knew who told her Noona was coming.

Sarah.

That backstabbing —

Laterz I'd deal with her.

Dinner was awkward. Ashley lied through her teeth, talking about how she slaved all day preparing the meal.

Bullshit.

It was Sarah's cooking.

Grandma seemed to enjoy it though. She smiled between bites and said. "Christian, this food tastes amazing. You should consider marrying Ashley. She'd make an excellent wife."

I nearly choked on my wine. "What?"

"She's beautiful. Kind. Loyal."

Loyal, my ass.

I set my glass down. "Noona, I can't."

She frowned. "Why not?"

"Because I'm in love with someone else."

"That Tanya girl?" Ashley scoffed.

I turned to her. "That Tanya girl is everything to me. I don't care about you. Tanya's the one."

Noon gasped. "Christian!"

"I'll follow my heart, Noona," I said. "I'll find her. I don't care how long it'l takes."

Just then, my bodyguard stepped in.

"Sir, We got the number from the diner she worked at."

I shot to my feet. "Give it to me."

He handed me the slip of paper and I stormed out of the dining room.

"Christian!" Ashley called out behind me because I ignored her.

I dialed the number with trembling fingers, my heart thudding like war drums in my chest.

It rang.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

And then —

"Hello?" came her voice, soft and guarded.

My throat closed. "Tanya..."

She whispered. "Why are you calling me, Christian?"

"Tanya, please. Let me explain. That Day, Ashley..."

Click.

The line went dead.

I stood frozen, the phone still to my ear.

Had I already lost her?

I turned to the window, jaw clenched and my heart pounding.

"Christian," Noona came up behind me.

"I'm going to get her back no matter what, Noona." I said, fisting my hands in the glass.

"Why run so far for someone who doesn't want you when Ashley is right here?" She said softly.

I shook my head. "I'm getting Tanya back."

If Tanya thought I was going to let her go then she didn't know me at all.