Chapter Six:
Lily stared at the message.
Call Ethan… and tell him you never loved him.
Her chest tightened painfully.
Tears blurred her vision.
She whispered, "I can't…"
But the image of her mother tied to the chair flashed in her mind again.
She had no choice rather that to do it.Her fingers trembled as she scrolled to Ethan's number.
She hesitated.
If she did this… she might lose him forever.
But if she didn't…
She might lose her mother.
Her heart broke before the call even started.
She pressed Call.
It rang once and he picked up immediately.
"Lily? Is everything okay?"
His voice was warm and concerned.
That made it worse.
Her throat tightened.
She forced herself to speak.
"…I've been thinking."
there was Silence.
Then he asked softly, "About what?"
She squeezed her eyes shut and said "Us."
Ethan asked her"I thought we already talked about that."
Her fingers dug into her palm.
"This… this isn't working."
Ethan didn't respond immediately.
"What do you mean?"
She forced coldness into her voice
"I shouldn't have gotten involved with you."
His tone changed slightly.
"Lily—"
"You were right. We're from different worlds."
But Ethan said "That it doesn't matter."
"It does matter to me."lily replied
Silence stretched.
Her tears slipped silently.
She continued, each word cutting her heart.
"I don't belong with you,and you don't believe that."
She swallowed.
But I do.
"No," he said quietly. "You're scared."
Her voice hardened.
"I'm not scared. I just… don't feel anything."
The words tasted like poison.
Ethan's breathing slowed.
"…What?"
She forced herself further.
"I never loved you."
There was Silence.
Heavy and Painful for her.
She almost broke ,but she continued.
"It was just… exciting. You're rich. Powerful. Different.and I got carried away by all that."
His voice dropped.
"You're saying I meant nothing to you?"
Lily 's heart shattered by Ethan's word.but she tried maintaining her word.
"Yes."
She bit her lip to stop crying.
Another long pause.
Then he asked quietly—
"Are you sure?"
She nodded even though he couldn't say it.
"Yes."
The longest silence.
Then Ethan finally spoke.
His voice calm,too calm and alright."
Her chest tightened.
"If that's how you feel… I won't bother you again."
Her eyes filled with tears.
"I think that's best.
He didn't argue,Didn't fight and he Didn't beg.
That hurt more than anything .
"Goodbye, Lily."
The call ended.
She dropped the phone.
And broke down in tears.
Her sobs filled the empty apartment.
She had just destroyed the only person who made her feel safe.
Her phone buzzed again.
She wiped her tears and opened it.
Another message followed
You did well.
Her fingers trembled.
Please… let my mom go.
The reply came.
Soon
Her breathing slowed slightly
Then another message appeared.
One more thing.
Her heart jumped.
Delete his number. Block him. Send screenshot.
She closed her eyes in pain because
The nightmare wasn't over
She did exactly as she was told.
She Blocked Ethan and sent screenshot.
Seconds later…
Another message arrived.
Your mother will be released tonight.
Relief flooded her.
Tears rolled down again.
"Thank you…" she whispered.
But something still felt wrong.
Very wrong.
Across the city, Ethan stood by his penthouse window.
His phone still in his hand.
The call replaying in his mind.
"I never loved you."
The words echoed.
Daniel walked in .
"You found something?" Ethan asked quietly.
"Yes. The hospital footage."
Ethan turned and said
"Show me."
Daniel placed the tablet on the table and played the video
Two men signing papers.
One wearing a cap and the other tall.
They helped Lily's mother into a wheelchair.
Ethan's eyes narrowed.
"Zoom in."
Daniel zoomed.
Ethan froze.
Recognition flashed across his face.
"I know him."
Daniel frowned.
"Who?"
Ethan's jaw tightened.
"He works for my family."
Daniel's eyes widened.
"You're saying—"
"My mother didn't threaten… she hired someone."
Ethan grabbed his phone immediately.
But Lily's contact showed Blocked.
He frowned.
"She blocked me."
Daniel looked confused.
"That's strange."
Ethan's eyes darkened.
"She didn't mean what she said."
"You think she was forced?"
"Yes."
He turned sharply.
"Get the car."
Back in Lily's apartment, she paced nervously.
Hours passed.
No update,No message and no call.
Her anxiety grew.
Then finally…Her phone rang.
Unknown number.
She answered immediately.
"Hello?!"
A weak voice answered.
"Lily…?"
Her eyes filled with tears.
"Mom?!"
"Yes… baby… I'm okay."
Relief crashed over her.
"Where are you?"
"I… I don't know. They just dropped me near the hospital."
Lily cried.
"I'm coming!"
She grabbed her jacket and rushed outside.
Minutes later, she reached the hospital.
Her mother sat in a wheelchair near the entrance.
Lily hugged her tightly.
"I was so scared…"
"I'm alright," her mother whispered.
"They didn't hurt you?"
"No… just kept me in a room."
Lily exhaled.
It was finally over.
she thought so.
A black car pulled up across the street.
Ethan stepped out.
He saw Lily hugging her mother.
Relief flooded his face.
He started walking toward them.
At that same moment…
Lily's phone buzzed again.
She opened the message.
Her heart stopped.
You followed instructions well.
Another message appeared.
But we lied.
Her breathing froze.
You're not done yet.
Her hands trembled.
If you ever go near Ethan again… next time we don't return her alive.
Lily slowly looked up.
And her eyes met Ethan's.
He was walking toward her.
Hope in his eyes.
She froze.
Her heart screamed to run to him.
But the message burned in her mind.
Her mother beside her and her life on the line.
Ethan stopped a few steps away.
"Lily…"
She shook her head quickly.
"Don't come closer."
He frowned.
"What?"
Her voice trembled.
"I meant what I said… stay away from me."
His face fell.
He saw the fear in her eyes.
But before he could respond—
A black van suddenly sped toward the curb.
The door slid open.
Two masked men jumped out.
And grabbed Lily's mother again.