Chapter 7

Serena POV

I turned my head to look at him. "What's wrong with me?"

Ethan's tone was harsh. "I know you haven't been happy lately. I'm your boyfriend. Why can't you talk to me about it?"

I calmly met his gaze.

"You used to complain that I was too delicate and too dependent on you, so this time I went to the hospital by myself."

"You used to complain that I always made issues about Vivian, so now I don't anymore."

"Every time your parents urged us to get married, you said you were busy with work and to wait. Today I was afraid you'd be put in a difficult position, so I said it for you."

"What else do you want me to do?"

My few sentences left Ethan speechless.

I was clearly changing in all the directions he'd wanted before.

I was clearly getting better.

Ethan irritably rubbed his temples and muttered, "Forget it."

Then, as if throwing a tantrum, he ran several red lights in a row.

I kept my eyes closed the whole time.

I didn't even lift an eyelid at Ethan's childish behavior.

When we got home, neither of us spoke again.

After washing up, we each lay down with our backs to each other.

The next day, Ethan left early for the police station.The buyer of my dessert shop also arrived to complete the final handover procedures.

When I officially handed the keys to the young couple, I smiled at the girl and said, "This shop is yours now. I hope you'll be happy."

When I left the shop, it was already evening.

I walked slowly along the familiar street toward home.

As I turned the corner into a narrow alley, a hand suddenly covered my mouth and nose from behind.

Before I could struggle, everything went black.

When I opened my eyes again, I found myself thrown on the concrete floor of an abandoned warehouse.

I was tied up with rope, and my wrists hurt badly from the chafing.

I looked around as much as I could.

There was another person lying beside me.

I knew her well. It was Vivian.

Heavy footsteps came from not far away.

Several fierce-looking men entered.

I immediately closed my eyes, pretending I was still unconscious.

I heard one of them speak. "Boss, which of these two women is the one we're looking for?"

A middle-aged man with a hoarse voice answered, "I don't know! I heard the woman we're looking for is close to Ethan. Both these women were with him, so we brought them both!"

Another man with a sharp voice said anxiously, "But the police cars are almost here. We can only take one with us at most!"

The middle-aged man cursed loudly. "It's all that man's fault! Years ago he shot my leg and crippled me. I have to get revenge on his daughter!"

I understood now.

This was a criminal Vivian's father had arrested years ago, back for revenge.

I was terrified and trembling, but I had to keep pretending to be unconscious.

I cried silently in my heart. I could leave tomorrow. Why did I have to get caught up in this mess?

Police sirens sounded. Someone with a megaphone shouted, ordering the criminals to release the hostages.

Vivian was also awakened by the noise, struggling and whimpering.

The criminals grabbed us both and dragged us to the warehouse entrance.

Outside, police tape had been set up and several police cars were parked there.

Ethan stood at the front, wearing a black tactical vest.

The middle-aged man recognized him at a glance and grinned. "Ethan, long time no see! You were just a kid back then. Now you can go on missions by yourself."

Ethan's expression was grave, but anger pressed beneath his eyes. "Let them go, and I'll let you leave!"

"Leave?" The man threw his head back and laughed. "Since I dared to do this, I never planned to leave alive!"

His laughter stopped abruptly as he narrowed his eyes. "We won't make things too difficult for you. We only have a grudge against your mentor. Of these two women, you can only take one today!"

"Take your girlfriend back. Leave your mentor's daughter behind."

He lifted our chins with the tip of his knife. "Which one is your girlfriend?"

Ethan didn't answer immediately.

He looked at us, his face showing struggle.

I closed my eyes in despair.

I knew Ethan wouldn't choose me.

A suitable girlfriend could be replaced if she died.

But the person he favored. If she died, she'd be gone forever.

But actually, I still held a tiny shred of hope in my heart.

Hope that Ethan would rescue me again like he had when I was young.

Vivian shouted urgently, "Ethan, save me!"

Before she finished speaking, the man slapped her and cursed, "Shut up! Say one more word and I'll kill you!"

Vivian cried out in fear, her eyes full of terror as she looked at Ethan expectantly.

Ethan closed his eyes tightly.

After a long moment, he raised his hand and slowly pointed at Vivian.

"She... is my girlfriend. Let her go."