Chloe stood there for a moment longer, the night breeze brushing her hair back as she held onto the warmth of Nate's embrace. Her heart felt light, but deep within, an invisible cloud of dread began to gather, a whisper of uncertainty she couldn't shake off.
Inside the mansion, Mary was far from resting. She paced her room like a lioness in a cage, her mind scheming, weaving a net around her unsuspecting son and the girl she deemed unworthy. Damian stood by the door, silent, waiting for the next order.
"You will follow him tomorrow," Mary said finally, her voice sharp. "Find out where he plans to propose. I need every detail. The time, the place, even the jewelry brand if possible. I want to rip the floor from under her feet."
"Understood, Ma," Damian bowed, adjusting the tiny earpiece connected to the hidden surveillance crew he had stationed.
Mary turned sharply to the window, staring out into the vast gardens.
"You cannot marry her, Nate. Not over my dead body."
Meanwhile, Nate, oblivious to the storm brewing, sat in his car at a traffic light, lost in thoughts of Chloe. His fingers drummed lightly on the steering wheel as he replayed her smile in his mind. He had tucked the velvet ring box safely in the dashboard compartment, a symbol of his dreams about to be fulfilled.
The Next Morning...
Chloe woke up feeling unusually restless. She tried to shrug it off as excitement, but something about Nate's mysterious invitation made her heart pound louder. Still, she chose a soft lilac dress and let her hair fall in loose waves, wanting to look perfect for whatever surprise he had planned.
As she adjusted her dress in the mirror, her phone buzzed.
Nate: "Can't wait to see you, love. I'll pick you up at 5. Wear something comfortable but pretty. I love you."
She smiled and typed back a quick reply, unaware that every message she sent was now being intercepted.
At the same time, Damian reported back to Mary, whispering into his burner phone.
"The proposal is today, Ma. Around sunset, somewhere near the old stone bridge at Willow Creek Park."
Mary grinned wickedly. "Perfect. Gather some men. I want a scene. I want Chloe humiliated so badly she'll wish she never crossed paths with my son."
"But Ma, if we cause too much trouble publicly, it might blow back on us," Damian said carefully.
"I don't care!" Mary snapped. "Do it discreetly then. Switch the ring. Make it disappear. Let Nate think Chloe lost it. Seed doubts into his mind. Break their bond from the inside!"
Damian hesitated but nodded. "It will be done."
Later That Evening...
The sun dipped low, painting the sky in brilliant hues of orange and gold. Nate pulled up in front of Chloe's house, stepping out in a crisp white shirt and dark jeans, looking every bit the man she loved.
"You look breathtaking," he said, his eyes drinking her in.
She blushed, her heart racing faster. "And you look...like you're hiding something," she teased, poking his chest lightly.
Nate laughed. "Maybe I am."
He blindfolded her gently, making her giggle in delight. "Just trust me, Chloe. I promise you'll love it."
He drove them carefully toward Willow Creek Park, the place where they had shared their first walk months ago. Along the way, a dark sedan followed from a distance, its headlights dimmed.
At the Old Stone Bridge...
Nate parked under the old willow tree. He helped her out, still blindfolded, and led her down a stone path where fairy lights twinkled, draped among the trees. A soft melody floated in the air, their song.
"Okay, you can take it off now," Nate said, his voice thick with emotion.
Chloe removed the blindfold and gasped.
Before her was a small round table, covered in flowers and candles. And Nate, kneeling down with a velvet box open in his hand, his eyes filled with nothing but love.
"Chloe... you're the light in my darkest days, the peace in my chaos. Will you marry me?"
Tears pooled in her eyes, her hands flying to her mouth. "Nate...yes! Yes, of course!"
He slipped the ring on her finger, and they hugged tightly, swaying in the soft music.
But hidden among the trees, Damian cursed under his breath.
Something had gone wrong, the ring wasn't switched!
The backup plan failed.
Frantic, he texted Mary: "Plan failed. They are engaged."
Mary's phone buzzed in her hand as she attended a charity gala, champagne glass poised midair. She read the message, her face turning stone cold.
She crushed the glass in her hand, ignoring the shards that pierced her skin.
"This isn't over," she whispered through gritted teeth. "Not by a long shot."
The hospital smelled of antiseptic and uncertainty.
Nate sat at Chloe's bedside, holding her hand tightly as she rested. Her face was peaceful despite the bandage wrapped around her forehead. She had been lucky, they both had. The doctors said it was a miracle they survived at all.
Nate had barely slept. His mind was a hurricane of rage, confusion, and fear.
"Who would do this? Was it mother? No... she wouldn't go this far. Would she?"
He squeezed Chloe's hand tighter.
By morning, Chloe stirred.
"Nate," she whispered, her voice hoarse.
"I'm here, baby. I'm not going anywhere," Nate said, brushing her hair back.
She smiled faintly. "I'm okay. Just tired."
"Rest," he said softly. "I'll be right here."
A nurse came in a few minutes later with a kind smile.
"Sir, if you could step outside for a moment. We need to change her dressings."
Nate hesitated but Chloe nodded reassuringly. "I'll be fine," she whispered.
Reluctantly, he kissed her forehead and stepped out into the hallway, pacing like a caged lion.
Minutes turned into longer minutes.
The door stayed closed.
Finally, when he couldn't take it anymore, Nate pushed back into the room.
It was empty.
The bed was stripped bare. Chloe was gone.
Nate's heart slammed against his ribs.
"Chloe?" he called out, rushing in.
No answer.
He spun around wildly. Nurses nearby looked confused when he demanded answers, but no one had seen anything.
No nurse had been assigned to change her dressings.
That woman... whoever she was... had taken Chloe.
Security cameras showed only a flicker of static around the time Chloe disappeared, someone had disabled them.
Nate's hands balled into fists. He stormed out of the hospital entrance, looking up and down the street like he could somehow spot her.
"No. No. Not again. I won't lose her," he thought, his chest burning with rage.
His phone buzzed in his pocket.
A message.
Unknown Number:
> "If you ever want to see your Cinderella again,
stay away from the storehouse.
Stay away from the truth."
This was definitely not his mother's doing, she wouldn't tell him to stay away from the storehouse and what truth is the person implying?
Attached to the message was a blurry photo: Chloe unconscious, tied up somewhere dark and unfamiliar.
Nate's blood ran cold.
Someone was playing a much bigger, more dangerous game, and Chloe was the pawn
Although frustrated and scared of the situation, Nate Armstrong was ready to burn the world down to find her.