I thrashed wildly, trying to break free, but the grip was unrelenting. Through the reflection in the window, I caught a glimpse of my assailant.
A woman. A face eerily similar to Nadia's.
Not an exact match—but close enough.
"If you dare to steal my daughter's man," she hissed into my ear, "you deserve to die!"
Panic surged through me. My eyes darted around, desperately searching for help.
And then I saw Zane. He stood not far away, phone pressed to his ear. Our eyes met for a fleeting second.
I pleaded silently, frantically waving my free hand. But he merely turned his back, taking a slow step away. The two bodyguards beside him followed suit, like they had seen nothing.
The woman behind me was shockingly strong—nothing like someone supposedly dying from a terminal illness.
Before I could react further, a sharp pain bloomed at the back of my skull. My vision blurred. My body gave out.
Darkness swallowed me whole.
***
When I came to, my limbs were leaden, my breath shallow. A metallic taste coated my tongue.
Something was wrong.
Blinking rapidly, I tried to focus. The air was thick with the scent of blood. I was in some kind of cheap motel room.