Chapter 15
Veronica’s POV
“You don’t have to worry about it, trust me. I just need you to go home to your father while I handle this,” Orthon said. A frown settled on my face.
“My father?”
I didn’t like the sound of that. In fact, I wanted nothing to do with that man, not yet, at least.
“Veronica, please. You shouldn’t run from your problems. You saw how miserable he was. At least give him a chance to make things right with you,” he said.
“Is that why you brought me here? To convince me to talk to your teacher?” I huffed, “He put you up to this, didn’t he?”
“Don’t sound like that, Vee,” his voice softened, and I looked away, avoiding those beautiful eyes. Every time they rested at me, it made me want to give in to anything he wanted, like I was under some sort of spell and I hated it..
Even Carter didn’t have that much control over me from just staring.
He cupped my face, forcing me to look at him. My throat dried up as the warmth of his fingers against my face immediately spread through me.
“I’m not forcing you to do anything you don’t want. I just want you to stay with him for the time being. Until I can sort things out with Carter. I don’t want people getting the wrong ideas about us and calling you names. You don’t deserve that.”
It wasn’t just the words but the smoothness of his voice that made me give in to his request.
“Fine, but only for a few days,” I mumbled. He broke into a breath–taking smile that made my breath hitch.
“Thank you.”
He let go of my face and I released a breath I didn’t know I was holding.
All my life, I’ve known myself to be a sucker for only one man, Carter. It was scary how fast that was changing.
When we arrived at my father’s estate, he walked me to the front door. I didn’t even have the time to admire it because I was nervous as hell. The place reeked of money and power. It was nothing like the small beach house we met him in during the weekend.
“Be good, Vee,” he said, patting my head gently like I was a child.
“I’m always good,” I chuckled.
“One day, I’ll give you a reward for that,” he winked and my heart fluttered in my chest. What did he mean by that?
Before I could ask him, he was already walking down to his car.
The bodyguards opened the door, and there was my father in his wheelchair going through some files, Orton’s departure unnoticed by him. He was dressed like he was about to go out His eyes flickered with a mixture of surprise and concern when he saw me.
“Veronica,” his eyes brightened. “You’re here?”
“It wasn’t my choice,” I muttered, walking past him and his smile vanished. It was a little rude of me but I wasn’t exactly looking forward to spending quality time with him.
1852%
Te followed me into the grand sitting room, where the warm glow of the fireplace did little to case the tension between us. The place was breathtaking, even with the simplicity of the furnishing.
“I heard Carter is still bothering you,” he said after a moment.
1 froze mid–step but quickly recovered. “And how do you know that?”
“Well, I did a little research. I thought I would know more about my daughter. Orthon speaks very fondly of you,” he said.
I didn’t know how to feel about that, but I rolled my eyes, pretending not to care. “Carter is not your concern.”
“Of course, he’s my concern. You’re my daughter.”
I turned to face him, my expression hard. “Now I’m your daughter? Where was this concern when I actually needed you?”
He flinched, but his voice remained steady. “I made mistakes, Veronica. But I won’t let you face this alone. Let me handle Carter.”
“No.” I said firmly. “I don’t need your help.”
His face tightened, but he didn’t argue. He only nodded, his shoulders. heavy with defeat.
The rest of the evening passed quietly. I stayed in my old room, trying to ignore the memories that the space brought back. Sleep came in restless waves, and I woke up feeling more exhausted than before.
The next morning, I was sipping coffee in the kitchen when my phone buzzed. A message from Carter lit up the screen.
“If you really want the divorce, meet me tonight at the old warehouse on Brook Street. Come alone.”
My heart raced. Relief swept over me first–was this finally it? Then came confusion. Why at night? Why in such a strange location? I stared at the screen, wondering what Carter could possibly want from me.
Was this some sort of trap? Carter was everything but he would never resort to hurting anyone.
“You look pale.” my father’s voice interrupted my thoughts.
I quickly locked the phone and tucked it into my pocket. “It’s nothing.”
“Nothing doesn’t make you look like that,” he pressed.
“Just leave it alone.” I snapped, getting up from the table.
He didn’t follow me, but I could feel his eyes watching as I left the room.
That evening, I prepared for the meeting. My nerves were on edge, but I kept telling myself this was necessary. I needed to be free from him. Before I left, I called the maid that served me earlier. I would have told my father but I wasn’t ready to dump my problems on him.
Besides. I told him I would handle it myself.
“If I’m not back in two hours, call the police,” I said, handing her a note with the warehouse address.
Her eyes widened, but she nodded. “Be careful, ma’am.”
When I arrived at the warehouse, the air was cold and damp. The building loomed like a shadow against the moonlit sky. I hesitated at the entrance, then stepped inside.
“Carter?” I called out, my voice echoing through the empty space.
There was no response. I walked further in, my footsteps crunching against debris on the floor. The silence was unnerving, and the dim light
“Carter?” I called again, louder this time.
Out of nowhere, two men grabbed me from behind. Their hands were rough, and their grip was tightening with each passing second. My heart was slamming rapidly against my ribcage as I feared the worst. I kicked and thrashed, but it was no use.
“Let me go!” I shouted, my voice cracking with panic.
One of them laughed, a low, menacing sound. “You’re not going
anywhere.”
“Why are you doing this?” I demanded, my breath coming in short gasps.
“Quiet!” They snapped.
My heart was pounding wildly against my chest. I was scared and I couldn’t even control the sobs escaping me.
I’ve never felt so helpless in my life before. I didn’t even know what they were going to do to me. Clearly this wasn’t about money. If Carter lured me here to get kidnapped by them then he certainly paid them handsomely.
But it didn’t stop me from trying.
“Please… if you need money, I can give you any amount you want. Just tell me…
J
“Quiet!” He snapped and I flinched. “Tape her mouth. I’m tired of hearing her weep.”
I panicked.
Oh God! They didn’t want money! This couldn’t be happening to me… it
hapter 15
just couldn’t…
