When consciousness returned, I was surrounded by darkness.

After a moment of panic, I realized a soft cloth was tied over my eyes.


I tried to move but found my wrists and ankles restrained.

"Awake now, Anna?" Brian's voice came from somewhere above me, cheerful as a child with a new toy.

I tried to remove the blindfold, but Brian stopped me.


My voice turned to ice.

"Kidnapping and assault. Didn't your brother teach you anything about the law?"


"Don't mention him!" Brian's voice exploded by my ear. "You belong to me now."

Suddenly, someone pounded on the apartment door, and Brandon's voice carried through.

"Brian! Is my wife in there with you?"

This unexpected development gave me hope. Without hesitation, I shouted back.

"Brandon!"

The next moment, Brian clamped his hand over my mouth. "Are you that desperate to go back to him?" he hissed through clenched teeth.

I struggled against him, making muffled sounds. Brandon's voice came again, surprisingly calm compared to his initial urgency.

"Brian Shaw. Open this door. I won't ask again."

He used the full name—this was no longer a brother's reprimand but the Shaw family head issuing an ultimatum to a challenger.

Brian laughed—a low, hoarse sound tinged with desperate madness.

"Brother, Anna doesn't want to see you."

He shouted this while keeping his hand firmly over my mouth.

"You hurt her deeply, and now you pretend to care?"

"You're calling her Anna now?" Brandon's tone sharpened.

"I won't waste words. I'll count to three. If you don't open this door, I'm calling the police and the media. 'Shaw Family's Second Son Kidnaps Sister-in-Law'—imagine what the family elders will think of that."

Brian gritted his teeth. "You think I care?"

Outside, dead silence fell.

My heart sank.

Brandon was furious.