chapter 4

Bethany woke up to an empty, quiet room.

Disoriented, she sat up, memories of last night flashing through her mind in a disjointed sequence: the anger, the confrontation, and the regret that had weighed her down ever since.

She looked around, hoping to see some sign of Fred, but he was nowhere to be found.

Instead, on the nightstand, a pristine envelope sat with her name written on the front.

She opened it with a sinking feeling.

Inside was a check for $10,000 and a short note from Fred: “For your trouble.”

A wave of humiliation washed over her. Did he really think he could buy her off like this?

She crumpled the cheque in her fist, the sting of his careless disregard churning her stomach.

She felt used, a fleeting distraction in his life. After wearing her clothes, she stormed out of the room, gripping the crumpled cheque as if it could somehow restore her pride.

As she made her way out, she was met by the piercing gaze of Chantel, who stood by the entrance, arms crossed, a smirk on her face.

“Well, well, if it isn’t the woman of the hour,” Chantel sneered, her voice dripping with danger.

“Did he pay you well enough for your little show?”

Bethany glared, her anger flaring at the taunt.

She stepped closer to Chantel and threw the crumpled check at her feet. “Here, you can have it. I don’t need his money, or yours.”

Chantel let out a mocking laugh, kicking the cheque aside. “So full of pride, aren’t you?” Her voice lowered, becoming almost venomous.

“You think you’re different? Special? Fred will move on, and you’ll be nothing but a distant memory.”

Bethany squared her shoulders. “I don’t need your approval, Chantel. Whatever you think, it doesn’t matter.”

“Oh, doesn’t it?” Chantel’s lips curved into a cold smile.

“You’re playing a game you don’t even understand. And poor Jason—having to deal with all this.” She tilted her head, her eyes narrowing.

“How long until he realizes where is his mom? How long before he starts to resent you for leaving him? “

Bethany clenched her fists, fury bubbling inside her. “Leave Jason out of this. He’s my son, and there’s nothing you can do about that.”

Bethany took a step in manipulating her, “ I'm sure you're tired of the cries, the cut between the intimate moment. You want him out of your life don't you? “

Chantel gaze softened.

“ I knew it, I'm waiting for you. If you want me and Jason out of your life, give him to me! “

***

Later that afternoon, as Bethany was preparing to leave for work, her phone buzzed with a text message. It was from Fred, but it was short and chilling: “We need to talk. Now.”

“ How did he get my number? “ She thought.

Before she could respond, another message arrived—this time from Chantel. “Jason is with me. If you don’t come to my office in the next three hours, I’ll make sure he’s out of your life.”

Her heart dropped. She knew Chantel was capable of anything, and she couldn’t risk Jason’s safety. Without another thought, she grabbed her things and raced to her car, her mind spinning with fear and anger.

Just as she started to drive, she noticed a sleek black car pull up beside her, blocking her path.

Fred stepped out, his face unreadable, his gaze fixed on her. She tried to pull away, but he knocked on her window, his expression resolute.

“Bethany, we need to talk. Now,” he said, his voice hard.

“I don’t have time for this, Fred,” she snapped, trying to keep her composure.

“I have to get to a meeting.”

Fred shook his head. “This is important, Bethany.”

Before she could respond, he opened her door and gestured for her to step out.

She glanced down the road, desperate to get past him, but there was no way around. With a frustrated sigh, she stepped out, crossing her arms.

“What do you want?” she demanded.

Fred looked at her for a long moment, his gaze intense, almost searching. “Last night… you didn’t object.”

Bethany’s pulse quickened, her anger barely contained. “That doesn’t mean I wanted it. And it definitely doesn’t mean I want anything more to do with you.”

His lips twisted in a slight smile, one that didn’t reach his eyes. “Come on, Bethany. You enjoyed yourself. Don’t act like it meant nothing.”

She glared, struggling to keep her voice steady. “You’re wasting my time, Fred. I need to get to….”

“You’re not going anywhere,” he interrupted, his tone turning cold

“Not until we talk.”

Without warning, he moved closer, his hand gripping her arm with surprising strength. Her heart hammered in her chest as she tried to pull away, but his hold was firm, unyielding.

“Fred, let go of me!” she shouted, struggling against him. But he only tightened his grip, his expression hardening.

“Bethany, I’m not letting you go,” he said quietly, his voice carrying a dangerous edge.

“You’re mine, whether you like it or not. And it’s time you understood that.”

Her mind raced, panic clawing at her as she realized the seriousness in his tone. He wasn’t just here to talk. He was here to make sure she couldn’t escape him again.

“Get in the car,” he ordered, pulling her toward his vehicle. “We’re going somewhere to talk—somewhere you can’t just walk away.”

Bethany’s heart pounded as she fought against his grip, desperate to break free. But he was stronger, his determination unyielding. She tried to scream, but he clamped a hand over her mouth, silencing her as he pushed her into the passenger seat.

“You don’t have a choice, Bethany,” he murmured, his voice low and menacing.

“

You’re coming with me. And we’re going to settle this, once and for all.”

She struggled, but he locked the door and started the car, his gaze fixed on the road as he pulled away, leaving her trapped beside him.

Her mind raced, desperation clawing at her as she tried to think of a way out. But there was no escape—not now, not until he was done with her.

As they drove, she tried to calm herself, to think rationally. She had to keep her wits about her if she was going to get out of this situation.

“Fred,” she said, forcing her voice to steady. “This is insane. Whatever you think is between us, it’s over. Let me go.”

He glanced at her, his eyes dark. “I’m not letting you go, Bethany. Not until you understand that I’m the one in control here.”

She shivered, the weight of his words sinking in. He wasn’t just after a relationship—he wanted power, control over her life, her decisions. And he was willing to go to any lengths to get it.

They drove in silence for what felt like hours, the tension thick between them

. Bethany’s mind raced, trying to think of a way to escape, but every option seemed impossible. She was trapped, and she knew it.

Finally, they arrived at a secluded spot on the outskirts of town, a quiet area surrounded by dense trees.

Fred parked the car and turned to her, his gaze intense, his hand resting on her shoulder.

“Bethany,” he said quietly, his voice softening, almost pleading.

“You don’t have to fight me. We could be good together—you know that. Just stop resisting.”

She met his gaze, eating up her fear “I’ll never be with you, Fred. We divorced years ago and you had the guts to lie to me! ”

His face twisted in anger, his grip tightening. “Fine. But you’re not leaving, either. I'll keep you in a place where you will never escape from me.”

Bethany’s heart pounded, her fear mingling with determination.

She’d find a way out—somehow, some way. She wasn’t going to let him control her, no matter what it took.

Just when she was about to make a move, someone knocked Fred out with a iron pipe.

He took a quick glance of her before letting go of her and falling to the ground.