Chapter Twenty-One
Cedar
I woke slowly, as though surfacing from a murky dream. My eyelids felt heavy, and my mouth tasted stale. Gradually, the world around me sharpened into focus, and I realized I was not at home, not anywhere remotely familiar. Panic rippled through me, but I forced myself to stay calm. Figure out where you are. Think.
I sat up, scanning the small, windowless room. The walls were painted a bland cream color, and the floor was stark white, as though someone had scrubbed it a thousand times. The faint hum of a ceiling vent told me air was circulating, though it felt stale and insufficient.
A single bed was pushed against the wall, its mattress thin and its sheet rumpled beneath me. My heart pounded when I saw a tiny CCTV camera mounted high in the corner, pointing straight at the bed.
The smell of antiseptic lingered in the air, and it reminded me of a hospital. Yet everything here looked more like a prison—sterile, impersonal, claustrophobic. My mind raced: How did I get here? Who brought me?
I wracked my brain for the last thing I remembered. There’d been a “delivery man” waiting by my car… a gun pressed into my side… then darkness.
I pressed a hand to my abdomen, relief and fear tangling together. I wasn’t sure if my baby was okay, but I felt no sharp pain—just the persistent churn of morning sickness. Realizing I was on the verge of vomiting, I lurched off the bed and dashed for the small metal toilet in the corner. I barely made it before my stomach heaved. Each retch drained more of my strength, until I was left crouched on the floor, panting.
When the wave finally subsided, I sank back onto my heels, tears of pain and frustration burning at my eyes. I felt more nauseous than ever, probably from the stress and fear thrumming inside me.
I’m pregnant and in a locked room with no windows. This cannot be happening.
Wiping my mouth with a trembling hand, I scanned the space more carefully. Besides the bed and the tiny toilet, the only furniture was a small sink with no mirror, as if they didn’t trust me with breakable glass.
The door was a simple brown panel, no visible handle on the inside. Dread sank into my stomach. I’m a prisoner.
For a moment, anger sparked. I’m a doctor. I save people. I don’t get kidnapped. But that surge of indignation crumbled under the weight of my current reality. I rose unsteadily and moved to the door, slamming my palms against it.
“Hello?” My voice cracked. “Let me out! Who are you? What do you want?”
No response. Only silence, and the ever-present eye of the CCTV camera. I pounded my fist again, shouting until my throat felt raw. Still nothing. Eventually, exhaustion won, and I staggered back to the bed, sinking down with my head in my hands.
A Sudden Visitor
A short while later—minutes or hours, I couldn’t be sure—I heard footsteps outside. The door clicked and swung inward, revealing a tall, lean man with an unremarkable face. He carried a tray: a bowl of oatmeal, a glass of orange juice, and a slice of toast. At first, I couldn’t place him. Then he spoke, and dread squeezed my chest.
“Eat,” he said in a low, gravely voice.
I recognized the voice of the “delivery man” who’d ambushed me at the hospital. It struck me how plain he looked—anyone you might pass on the street without a second glance. Yet his presence radiated quiet menace.
“What do you want?” I demanded, my voice wavering. “Where am I?”
He simply thrust the tray toward me. “Eat.”
The smell of oatmeal set my stomach roiling again. My hand flew to my mouth, and I had to swallow hard to keep from vomiting. Anxiety mingled with my pregnancy nausea, amplifying the queasiness. But something in me refused to show weakness.
I straightened and glared at him. “I’m not eating anything you bring me,” I hissed. “And I’m sure as hell not staying silent until you tell me why I’m here.”
He only stared, his eyes dark and empty, like a predator measuring my every move. Finally, he set the tray on the foot of the bed. For a second, he glanced at the CCTV camera as if checking something. That’s my chance, I thought.
Summoning my courage, I sprang forward. My hands flattened against his chest, just under his collarbone, and I carefully shifted my weight to destabilize him. In one fluid motion, I flipped him over my shoulder. He hit the floor with a loud thud, a muffled grunt escaping him.
Not waiting to see if he got up, I bolted for the open door. My heart hammered as I sprinted into the hallway, my bare feet slapping cold tiles. “Help!” I screamed, the sound echoing.
I didn’t get far. Before I could figure out which way to run, a strong hand fisted in my hair and yanked me backward. A cry tore from my throat as I stumbled. I tried to pivot and throw an elbow, but he wrenched me sideways, off-balance.
Suddenly, another voice boomed: “Get your hands off her.”
I froze. I knew that voice—deep, cultured, and laced with condescension. Will. Flynn’s uncle Will. Why was he here?
The man holding my hair let go so abruptly I nearly fell. I spun around to see Will standing a few steps away, wearing a tailored suit and an impatient scowl. Everything about him radiated power and arrogance, from his polished shoes to the mocking tilt of his head.
“Sorry, boss,” the delivery man muttered, stepping back.
Will gave him a withering glare. “That’s not how you treat a lady. Especially my nephew’s wife.”
My heart hammered, and a fresh wave of fear washed over me. So it’s true—Will is involved in my kidnapping. He turned to me, extending a hand as though offering help. “Are you all right?”
I slapped his hand away, my anger momentarily overshadowing my terror. “You tell me. I wake up locked in a windowless cell, and now I find you here. Why? ”
His expression flickered between amusement and annoyance. “It’s just business, Cedar. Nothing personal.”
I laughed bitterly, the sound tearing at my sore throat. “Kidnapping is never just business. What do you want with me?”
Will’s eyes gleamed like he found my anger entertaining. “Let’s talk inside. You should sit. You’re looking pale.”
I folded my arms, refusing to budge. “I’m not going anywhere until you answer me.”
Will heaved an exaggerated sigh. “Mrs. Jefferson, I’m offering you a chance to remain civil. Don’t force me to lose my patience.” He nodded to the men flanking him—two others had appeared, broad and silent. “Let’s move this conversation back into your room.”
I glanced at the armed men, quickly realizing I was wildly outnumbered. A pit formed in my stomach. There’s no escape right now. Nausea churned, but I steeled myself and marched back inside. Will followed, the other men standing guard outside.
The New Demands
The door shut behind us, leaving me alone with Will in the tiny room. He glanced at the tray of food still sitting on the bed.
“You should eat,” he said, propping his hands on his hips. “You’ll need your strength.”
Ignoring him, I pinned him with a glare. “Tell me why I’m here.”
Will shrugged. “I prefer directness, too. So, I’ll be brief. I want your husband to step down as CEO, and I want him to sign over his father’s shares to me.”
For a moment, I was stunned into silence. This is about the company? Then, a burst of hysterical laughter bubbled out. I couldn’t help it; the absurdity of it was overwhelming. “You actually think Flynn will do that?”
His thin smile never wavered. “I think Flynn values your life more than the company. I think you’ll convince him.”
Rage flared. “You’re out of your mind,” I snarled. “Even if Flynn handed over everything, how do you plan to cover your tracks? You can’t just waltz away after kidnapping me.”
Will’s gaze hardened. “You’re underestimating me, Cedar. I’ve planned every angle. Even the smallest contingency.” He paused, eyeing me with faint curiosity. “You look unwell. That morning sickness is getting worse?”
My eyes widened. He knows I’m pregnant. A ripple of protective instinct made me clench my fists. “Flynn will find me,” I repeated, ignoring his question. “He won’t stop until he does.”
He actually grinned. “I’m counting on that. Now, let’s see if you’re as stubborn as you act.” He glanced at the untouched oatmeal. “Last warning: eat.”
I shook my head, adrenaline fueling my defiance. “No. You need me alive, so you won’t kill me. That means you can’t starve me for long, either.”
Will’s temper flared; I saw it flicker across his face like a struck match. “Fine,” he snapped. “We’ll do this the hard way.” He opened the door and called out to his men. “Take her food. No more meals. Shut off the toilet’s water, too. She’s welcome to act like an animal if she chooses.”
The men moved quickly, removing the tray and stepping out without a word. My stomach twisted in dread, but I kept my face neutral. Don’t let him see you scared, I reminded myself.
Will pulled a cheap, disposable phone from his pocket, tapping the screen with an air of self-satisfaction. He hit the speaker button, and I heard a phone start to ring. My heart leapt as I recognized Flynn’s voice.
“Cedar? Cedar, are you there?”
Will smirked. “Ah, Flynn, so anxious. Good to hear you, too.”
“You’re a dead man,” Flynn spat. “If you’ve laid a hand on her—”
“Relax,” Will drawled. “She’s intact… for now.”
Flynn sounded near the breaking point. “What do you want?”
Will’s voice cooled to a businesslike clip. “I want you to resign as CEO of J-KINGS Holdings. I want you to sign over your father’s shares to me. And I want it done in the next twenty-four hours.”
I could practically feel Flynn’s wrath vibrating through the phone. “You’ve lost your mind, Will.”
Will gave a low, humorless chuckle. “You have no choice. I have your wife. I hear congratulations are in order, by the way—seems I’m holding your wife and child hostage.”
My pulse thundered. He knows. He’s using my baby as leverage. I glared at him, but Will merely winked.
“I swear to God, if you hurt them—” Flynn began, voice trembling with rage.
“Calm down, boy,” Will said. “Here, listen for yourself.” He held the phone toward me. “Say hello to your husband, Cedar.”
I snatched the phone, desperate to hear Flynn’s voice. “Flynn… I’m here,” I said, forcing strength into every syllable. “He hasn’t hurt me, but—” My voice broke when I remembered the baby. “Don’t do anything rash.”
Flynn sounded both furious and relieved. “Cedar, hang on. I’ll— I’ll fix this. I promise you.”
Tears pricked at my eyes. “Just… be careful, Flynn. He’s—” My words cut off as Will yanked the phone away.
“That’s enough,” he said. “Flynn, you have twenty-four hours. If I sense you’re stalling—or worse, involving the police—I’ll make sure your wife regrets it. And we both know you won’t risk that.”
“You’re a dead man, Will,” Flynn repeated, voice quivering with rage.
Will sighed theatrically. “Threats, threats. So original. Now, do we have an understanding?” Silence crackled over the line. Then Will’s gaze flicked to me, and he stomped on my foot, pressing me into the floor. Pain flared, and I let out a startled scream.
“Stop! Don’t hurt her!” Flynn’s voice flared with alarm.
Will eased off, smiling in that cold, detached way. “Twenty-four hours, nephew. The clock’s ticking.”
He hung up, the phone dropping to his side. For a moment, I could still hear Flynn’s frantic voice in my head, echoing in the sudden hush.
Facing the Darkness
Will spun on his heel and stalked toward the door. Before stepping out, he paused and glanced back at me, his expression disturbingly calm. “You’ve made your choice—no food or water. Next time we talk, I hope you’re more cooperative.”
Then he was gone, the latch clunking decisively behind him. My breath came in ragged gasps as I forced myself to stand on my throbbing foot. He needs me alive for leverage, I repeated mentally, clinging to that sliver of hope. He won’t kill me, but I have to survive this in one piece—especially for the baby.
The realization that my unborn child was now part of Will’s twisted scheme made me want to collapse in tears. I had to stay strong, but how? Already, exhaustion gnawed at my body, and my parched throat cried out for water. I can’t do this forever.
Steadying myself, I limped to the tiny sink. Nothing came out. They’d cut the supply as promised. That was fast. I glared at the CCTV camera, biting back a scream. Think, Cedar. You’re a doctor. You can figure something out.
I exhaled slowly, trying to quell the rise of panic. One thought overshadowed everything else: Flynn knows I’m here. He’s looking for me. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned about my husband, it’s that he doesn’t give up without a fight. A faint hint of hope stirred in my chest.
Hold on , I told myself. Survive. Because Flynn is coming.