The night was too quiet.
Arabella stepped out of the QuinVale building, her heels clicking against the marble steps. She had insisted on working late, polishing her proposal for the international expansion project. She wanted to prove herself—not just as the CEO's wife, but as a CEO.
Cassian had offered to send a driver, but she waved him off. "I'll be fine," she'd said with that signature Barbie smile.
Now she wished she hadn't.
As she moved toward her car, her phone buzzed.
Cassian 💼❤️: Be home in 10? I have a surprise.
She was about to reply when a hand covered her mouth.
The world spun. The last thing she saw was the soft pink of her heels falling off as she was dragged into the black van.
---
Cassian's phone clattered to the floor.
The message came in at 10:27 PM.
Unknown Number:
Come alone. Bring the shares. Or she bleeds pink.
Attached was a photo: Arabella, bound to a chair, her signature blonde hair disheveled, a bruised lip, but still holding her chin high.
Victor.
Cassian's chest tightened. His worst fear had come true.
"Victor," he growled, pacing the penthouse like a caged animal. "I should have finished you when I had the chance."
Six months ago, Victor had tried to merge his dying fashion conglomerate with QuinVale by proposing a very personal alliance with Arabella. She turned him down cold. He smiled politely.
Then disappeared.
Now he was back—with leverage.
Cassian's hands trembled as he called Leon, their head of security.
"No cops. I'll handle this."
---
Arabella's head throbbed.
She blinked through the dim warehouse lights. Her wrists were tied. Her perfectly manicured fingers sore from struggling.
And there he was—Victor, all charm and venom, dressed in designer suits like a devil playing prince.
"Barbie Queen herself," he smirked, crouching in front of her. "Still pretty even when you're powerless."
Arabella rolled her eyes. "Still pathetic, Victor? Using women to win wars you already lost?"
He chuckled. "No, darling. Using queens to claim empires. Big difference."
She spat at him. "Cassian will find me. And when he does—"
Victor gripped her chin. "He'll hand over every share, every dollar, just to get you back. That's love, isn't it?"
She met his eyes, unwavering. "It's also war. And I never lose."
---
Meanwhile, Cassian pulled up outside the warehouse, a gun hidden beneath his jacket, and more than rage in his eyes—fear. Raw, real fear.
He couldn't lose her. Not after everything. Not now that she was carrying their child.
He looked down at her ultrasound photo in his wallet.
"You hang on, Barbie. I'm coming."
---