OLIVIA'S POV

The words hit me like a nail to the chest. Ethan is missing.

I couldn’t breathe. My chest squeezed so tight that my knees almost gave way. “Missing?” I whispered, though my throat felt too dry to speak.

“The nurses checked on him not long ago. But when they returned… his bed was empty. His IV was pulled out. Security is searching the hospital right now.” Eric explained looking at me with sadness on his face.

The room tilted and I had to grab the edge of the conference table to steady myself. My brother, my only family was gone? How could he survive without the machines, the oxygen, the equipment keeping him alive?

“I… I have to go,” I stammered, already turning for the door in panic.

I turned but Alexander held my wrist and stopped me. I looked at him in surprise, wondering what exactly he was trying to do.

"Miss. Brooks, stop now!" He ordered.

Anger surged through me at his words and tone that for a moment, I forgot my fear of him and snapped.

“Stop?” I cried, twisting against his grip. “My brother is missing! And you want me to stand here like nothing happened? From the moment I signed that contract, from the moment I stepped into this life—I knew this would happen. You’re the reason Ethan was taken!”

I shoved my phone at him, showing the threatening messages I had been receiving.

Alexander’s eyes instantly turned sharp and cold and my initial confidence almost faltered.

“I know what's happening here but running into the streets screaming his name will not save him. You’ll collapse before you find anything.”

My blood boiled, my anger spilling over. “At least I’ll be doing something!”

He exhaled sharply and I could feel him losing his patience. “My security team is already at the hospital. Eric, go. Get every detail you can.”

Eric gave a quick nod and rushed out, leaving me alone with Alexander.

The silence between us was thick and my heart was beating so hard that I could hear it. While Alexander stood up there like a stone. Looking calm and controlled as if Ethan's disappearance meant nothing to him.

The only reason I agreed to this contract… was for Ethan. And now he was gone.

Could I really trust Alexander? What exactly was going on with him that could make me a target. Of course, someone as cold and ruthless as him was bound to have enemies. I was beginning to question my sanity in agreeing to marry him.

“You won’t lose him,” Alexander said suddenly. “Not while I’m still here.”

“I can’t lose him. He’s all I have.” My voice cracked as tears gathered in my eyes.

Before I could speak again, Eric burst back into the room, breathless. “We found the security footage. Two men disguised themselves as hospital staff. They wheeled Ethan out like a patient being transferred. No one realized until it was too late.”

My stomach dropped. “Two men? Why him? Why Ethan?”

Alexander’s jaw tightened, fury flashing in his eyes. The softness was gone in an instant.

“Because he’s a child. That makes him the perfect target but they won’t be hard to trace. My men will find them.” He assured me confidently.

But his words couldn’t quiet the storm in my chest. My frail baby brothe had been taken away. Certainly to be used as a pawn in this game.

“Please, Alexander.” My voice shook with desperation. “Promise me. Promise me you’ll bring him back.”

His gaze locked on mine, unwavering. “With my word—I promise you.”

For the first time, a small spark of hope flickered inside me.

***

That night, in the massive bedroom of Alexander’s mansion, I sat staring at the diamond ring on my finger. This ring was the genesis of my problem and I felt like throwing it away.

Eric came in to check on me.

“Alexander will find Ethan. Trust him.” He tried to reassure me but when I didn't say a word, he left me alone.

My phone buzzed. My hand trembled as I picked it up. A new message from the same unknown number.

(Meet us in the abandoned building behind Black Estate. If you want Ethan alive, obey every order. No mistakes.)

My whole body shook with fear. There was no way to reach the sender.

I didn’t even realize Alexander was standing at the doorway until I saw his reflection moved across the floor.

“Who was that?” He asked sharply.

I quickly slid the phone into my pocket.

“No one important.” I lied.

His eyes narrowed, like he knew I was lying nut instead of pressing further, he said only, “Get some rest. Tomorrow the engagement will be announced at the press conference. You can’t afford to look weak.”

I almost laughed. My brother was kidnapped, and all he cared about was appearances.

As he turned to leave, I whispered, low but clear: “If Ethan dies… I will never forgive you.”

He closed the door without answering me and left.

***

Later, I slipped out without telling Eric and went to the abandoned building.

When I arrived I heard a phone ringing. I picked it up and a menacing voice spoke.

“If you want your brother to live, cancel the contract. End everything with Alexander and walk away.”

The command made me instantly weak. Cancel the contract? But Ethan’s treatment depended on Alexander’s money. Without it, how could I save him?

For Ethan, I had signed away my freedom. And now, for Ethan, I was being forced to destroy it all.

My head spun with confusion and my heart was torn apart.

Suddenly, I felt movement behind me.

“Olivia!”

I turned and saw Alexander looking very angry.

“Why don’t you ever listen?”