It was the weekend, and Damian's voice carried regret over the phone.
"Amara, I won't make it to your place today. I promise, I'll come on Monday and leave by Wednesday."
Amara's heart sank a little, but she forced a soft hum in response. "Hmm... alright, that's okay. It's just... the children were already hoping to see you."
"I'm sorry, Amara," Damian said gently. "I'm occupied with work here. Soon, you and the kids will see me. That's a promise."
She sighed. "Okay. I'll break the news to them."
When the call ended, Amara sat for a moment in silence, thinking of what to do. Then she decided, I'll just take the children out for the day, so they won't feel too disappointed.
Meanwhile, in another house, Nathaniel was in his room when his wife, knocked softly before stepping in.
"I asked you to come in," Nathaniel barked, his tone sharp and impatient.
"I'm sorry,"she whispered.
His eyes darkened. "Strip yourself down and lay on the bed."
Fear flickered in her eyes, but she obeyed. As soon as she was on the bed, Nathaniel tied her wrists to both sides, spread her legs, and bound them as well. His breathing grew ragged as he climbed over her, thrusting into her roughly while moaning Amara's name over and over. Each stroke, each groan, was filled with obsession-not for his wife, but for the woman who lived only in his fantasies.
She whimpered, tears sliding down her cheeks. "Stop, Nathaniel... please..."
But he only grunted louder, slapping her face, choking her, and continuing until her vision blurred. The moment her body went limp, Nathaniel stilled, pulling back and leaving her unconscious.
He picked up his phone, smirking as he typed a message:
"Can we meet?"
Minutes later, Amara replied:
"I'm busy."
Nathaniel let out a devilish laugh, sliding his phone into his pocket before stepping out of the room.
That same evening, Amara returned home after taking the children out. The kids were exhausted, their little faces flushed with excitement and sleepiness. After their baths, they drifted into bed quickly, their soft snores filling the quiet house.
Just as Amara was about to settle down, her phone rang. Nathaniel's name appeared on the screen.
She hesitated before answering. "Hello?"
"I know you hate me," Nathaniel's voice came through, weak and raspy. "But at least... can you take me to the hospital? I'm really sick."
Her brows furrowed. "Oh my God... are you serious?"
"Yes, please," Nathaniel replied, coughing lightly. "I texted you the address."
A message came in with a location. It was a place she didn't recognize.
Amara bit her lip. "Alright, I'll come."
She rushed out of the house without telling anyone, flagging down a taxi as she dialed the address. She thought only of someone who needed help, her kind heart clouding her better judgment.
When she arrived, Nathaniel was already at the door. He opened it immediately, a pale smile on his lips.
"Are you okay?" Amara asked, concern filling her voice as she stepped inside. "Let me take you to the hospital."
"I'll follow you," he murmured, walking slowly behind her.
Just as they neared the door, Nathaniel suddenly grabbed her by the hair and yanked her back hard. She stumbled, falling to the floor with a painful thud.
"What are you doing?" Amara cried out, tears stinging her eyes.
Nathaniel's palm came down hard against her cheek. "Oh, my pretty damsel..." He crouched, running his hand down her face to her lips. "Do you know how long I've been waiting for this moment? How long I've wanted you?"
Amara's chest tightened with fear. "Please, Nathaniel. Don't do this to me. Let me go."
But her words only seemed to fuel his madness. He dragged her roughly across the floor, ignoring her cries as her head hit the steps on the way upstairs. Every thud, every strike against the wood, sent sparks of memory flashing in Amara's mind-images of Damian, of their time together, of love she thought she had forgotten. Damian...
She shielded her head with trembling hands, trying to protect herself from more damage as Nathaniel forced her into a room and shoved her onto the bed.
He tore at her clothes, his eyes wild. "You're mine now, Amara. No one else's. Mine."
"You're not human," she spat through tears. "You're an animal!"
A slap cracked across her face, splitting her lip. Blood trickled down, and Nathaniel's weight pressed heavier as he tried to force himself on her. Desperate, Amara bit his arm so hard that he screamed and shoved her violently to the floor. Her head hit the wooden frame, pain exploding through her skull.
Just then, his phone rang. He snatched it up.
"Sir, they're looking for her," a man's voice said on the other end. "Police are everywhere."
He shoved his phone back into his pocket, locking the door behind him before storming out.
He hurried back to his main house, shouting, "Clara!" But there was no answer.
"Clara!" he yelled again, checking room after room, but she was nowhere to be found. Panic etched his face as he dialed his men. "Find her! Now!"
"Yes, Boss."
At that same moment, Damian was in the middle of a meeting when is phone ring
"Sir-we have a problem. Your wife is missing."
Damian froze. His chair screeched against the floor as he stood abruptly. "What? I told you to always secure her place!"
"Sir, we're also surprised. We don't know how she left the house."
Damian's nostrils flared, his voice low and deadly. "Keep searching. I'm taking a flight now." He cut the call and strode out, his steps heavy with determination.
---
Meanwhile, Clara was hiding in an unfinished building, her body trembling with fear. She pulled out her phone and dialed Damian's number, but it rang without answer. Desperate, she typed a message instead:
"I know where you could find Amara."
Moments later, Damian's phone buzzed. His eyes narrowed, reading the text, and he dialed back instantly.
Clara picked up on the first ring, her voice urgent.
"Are you sure of what you're saying?" Damian demanded.
"Yes!" Clara replied quickly.
"Where is she?" Damian pressed. His tone was sharp, his words clipped with impatience.
"Listen carefully," Clara said, her breath shaky. "Nathaniel is the husband my father forced me to marry. But he never wanted me. He only ever wanted Amara. I overheard his conversation earlier when he called her, pretending to be sick. After the call, he rushed out to meet her."
Damian's hand tightened around the phone. "How do you know it was Amara he spoke to?"
"Because..." Clara's voice broke. "Because whenever he forces himself on me, he always calls out her name. Amara. This has been happening for months. I swear to you, he has her. Please-save her. And when you do... save me too."
Her voice trailed off, and then the line went dead. Clara's battery had given up just as footsteps approached the building she was hiding in. Nathaniel's men had found her.
---
Hours later, at amara house, the children were crying uncontrollably.
"Aunty Mia, where is Mommy?" they sobbed, clinging to her dress.
Mia forced a smile through her own fear, hugging them tightly. "Mommy will be found soon, darlings. I promise."
But deep inside, her heart was heavy with worry.
And miles away, Amara lay battered and bleeding, fighting both pain and flashes of her lost memories-Damian's face, his love, his touch. With every breath, she prayed he would come for her before it was too late.
---