Alder looked around the rural area, the morning sun casting long shadows on the cracked dirt road and overgrown grass. His voice was laced with disbelief as he asked, "So you choose to start a life with me in this rural area?" His eyes scanned the modest surroundings, eyebrows raised in skepticism.
Willow met his gaze steadily, a faint, ironic smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "I remember someone telling me wherever I am lies his heart," she said softly, almost teasing, "so it was a lie?" Her voice held a subtle challenge, her hands lightly brushing against the car door as if grounding herself.
Alder's jaw tightened, bitterness flickering in his eyes. "It wouldn't have been a lie if someone didn't dump me for a few pieces of silver." He folded his arms across his chest, the words heavy but barely masking the sting beneath.
For a moment, Willow stayed silent, her gaze dropping to the ground, tracing patterns in the dust with the toe of her shoe. After a pause, she looked up, voice steady but low: "I chose this place because no one would ever think you were here." Her fingers curled tightly around the car keys as she spoke, betraying a flicker of tension.
"Get into the car," Willow said abruptly, motioning toward the vehicle with a small tilt of her head.
Alder turned to face her fully, his taller frame looming as he folded his arms again. His voice was edged with mockery. "Who told you you can control me?" His dark eyes locked onto hers, the distance between them more than just physical.
Willow's smile was playful but firm as she bent forward slightly, her hand gesturing toward the car like a conductor leading an orchestra. "I wasn't trying to control you, just telling you to get into the car."
With a reluctant sigh, Alder climbed into the passenger seat, settling in with a slow exhale. Willow slid into the driver's seat, glancing sideways at him with a small, mischievous smile before suddenly rising and settling herself on his lap.
Alder's eyes widened in surprise. His voice was flat but amused, "I know one of your fantasies is doing it in the car, but I'm not interested." His hands rested tensely on the back rest.
Willow's grin widened as she pulled a handcuff from her pocket and snapped it around one of his wrists, locking it to the seatbelt with a soft click. Then, casually, she sat back in the driver's seat, buckling herself in.
"Why this?" Alder asked, holding up the cuff with a raised brow.
"That's for your protection," Willow replied smoothly, the smile never leaving her lips as she started the engine. Alder's glare sharpened, but she merely shrugged and drove off.
---
Hours later, the police arrived at the rural location but found no sign of either of them.
"We couldn't find them here," the officer's voice crackled through the phone.
Leif's face darkened as he sat beside Reed in the car, frustration tightening his jaw. "How's that possible?" he muttered, gripping the steering wheel tightly.
The policeman voice was tense but calm, "My men are searching around the vicinity — maybe they left to get something to eat or drink."
Leif's reply was firm but laced with concern. "If you find them, please don't hurt either of them." Then he cut the call, running a hand through his hair in agitation.
Reed turned, meeting Leif's eyes. "What do we do now? Don't you think the police need to use force?"
Leif's face was grim, shaking his head slowly. "If anything happens to Willow, we lose Alder too. I can't risk that." His voice was heavy with worry.
Reed scoffed bitterly, "He might not be that in love with her anymore."
Leif's eyes flared, voice sharp. "You weren't around. So you don't know."
---
Back at the Smith house, tension thickened the air.
Juniper's pace quickened as she nervously bit her lip, "Did you find them?"
Sage's voice wavered, "Where are they?" Her hands wrung in her lap.
Leif sank onto the couch, exhaustion etched in every line of his face. "The police couldn't locate them. They're still checking the area."
Juniper's eyes narrowed suspiciously, "Are you sure you're not just hiding them?"
Iris stepped closer, placing a calming hand on Juniper's arm. "Mom, please, take it easy."
Juniper shrugged off the touch, her voice sharp, "How can we hide them? Reed is close enough with the Smith to call Juniper 'Mom.'"
From the doorway, Flora's voice rang out — hoarse, worn. "It's very possible."
Iris's brow furrowed as she looked Flora up and down: hollow eyes rimmed with dark circles, clothes rumpled, evidence of restless nights.
"Flora are you okay?" she asked
Flora's expression twisted between exhaustion and determination as she stepped inside, tossing a bundle of documents onto the table with a soft thud.
Reed's eyes widened, startled. "Why didn't you tell us Willow works for you?" Flora demanded, voice trembling with a mix of anger and betrayal.
Leif blinked in surprise. "Willow works for you, Reed?"
Sage, Juniper, and Iris exchanged shocked glances, their breath catching.
Flora sighed deeply, the weight of the confession pressing on her shoulders. "About three years ago, an anonymous designer was selling her work to several companies, including ours. I liked her designs and tried to find her with Alder's help." Her voice dropped to a whisper, heavy with a secret: "But I'm sure Alder didn't know the designer was Willow."
Sage's patience finally snapped: "So what happened?"
Reed continued, "The person turned out to be Willow. I was trying to make an exclusive contract with her but let her remain anonymous. Alder insisted she comes to the spotlight, so we paid her a huge sum to work with me under her real name." He whispered the last part, but everyone heard clearly.
Juniper's voice trembled with disbelief, "You knew the history they shared and still let her work with you?"
Reed's desperation was clear as he defended himself, "I didn't know their history. I only suspected she was the lady because Alder refused to tell me anything."
Flora suddenly burst into bitter laughter, her body shaking uncontrollably. Others stared in stunned silence. Then she bent over, tears breaking free.
Iris quickly went to her side, patting her back gently. "It's okay," she whispered softly.
Juniper's voice dropped in realization, "So Alder has known where Willow was all these years?"
"Actually, two years ago, Reed defended him, and o swear they haven't really been talking since."
Sage smirked darkly, "Someone's eager to die young." Reed fell silent.
Iris added with finality, "Never trust Alder when it comes to Willow."
Flora wiped her tears and stood, voice steady despite the quiver in her hands. "I'm going home."
Iris watched her leave, concern knitting her brows.
—
Flora got Inside her car and sat at the back seat and her driver starts driving before
She started crying profusely, she recall at the fashion show he went with Alder
---
Flora's flashback:
At the fashion show, she had told Alder quietly, "I want to use the restroom."
He surprised her, "Let me go with you." His tone gentle, uncharacteristically kind.
Flora smiled warmly. "Okay."
But when she returned, she caught Alder speaking with a lady, his expression icy and cold once more.
He must have followed her, knowing it was Willow, Flora thought bitterly.
It seems in this life, Alder will only love Willow. She pressed her trembling hands into her lap, but what about me? She was sure she loved him more than Willow ever could.
---
Willow and Alder's side:
Alder glanced at Willow, irritation flickering in his eyes. "I thought you said we were going to eat out, but you've been driving nonstop."
Willow smiled, voice light but secretive, "We're changing location. You didn't seem to like the other house."
Alder crossed his arms. "I prefer my house."
Willow laughed softly, "I prefer you naked."
He ignored the teasing, and she grinned at his silence.
Pulling the car to a stop in front of a dilapidated house, Willow announced, "We're here."
Alder raised a brow. "Willow, what is this?"
She opened the door, stepping out with confident ease. "Our new abode."
Alder followed, curiosity and suspicion mingling in his gaze.
Willow unlocked his handcuff and seatbelt, still clutching a small spray can just in case he acted up.
Alder walked around, his eyes wide as he walk in into the furnished apartments.
"You furnished this house too?" he asked, amazed.
Willow smirked.
Alder looked around in surprise "You really planned this kidnapping stuff well. You must have watched a lot of movies."
Willow chuckled darkly. "I have a criminal mindset."
FLASHBACK — Willow's Side (Few Days Ago)
Few days ago at Willow's rented apartment
After carefully thinking about her plans to abduct Alder she decided to make a calls to a house realtor to buy a house,where she will keep Alder, but she decided to buy two houses just in case they found the first house.She called the realtor to discuss the price
She inhaled deeply, tapped the screen, and dialed the realtor's number.
"Hello?" the voice chirped cheerily through the speaker.
"I want to buy a house," she said flatly, but her pulse pounded in her ears. "Actually, two. I want the houses to be far from each other and not in the city at all."
A pause. "No problem, ma. As long as you have the money ready."
Willow's eyes narrowed. "I do."
As the conversation continued, she began pacing the room, her bare feet making soft thuds against the cold tiles. She barely heard the prices. She didn't care. Her thoughts were entirely consumed by him.I need everything to be perfect.
4 Days Before the Abduction
Willow stepped out of a taxi into the dusty road of a rural area. Her boots crunched against gravel as the realtor waved her over eagerly. "This way, ma."
The first house felt wrong. The ceilings were too low, the light too dim. It felt more like a prison than a hideout.
"No," she said sharply.
The second house was worse. Mold in the corners. Rusty pipes. Alder deserved more than this. He might hate her for now, but she just wanted to be with him for the last months of her life.
The third house made her pause. The air was dry, the land surrounded by silent trees. It was isolated… private. The building looked abandoned—but sturdy.
She walked through the creaky door, her boots echoing faintly. This could work.
"I'll take it," she said without a smile. Her eyes scanned every inch of the house, already picturing Alder inside it and she git the second house that same day too.
3 Days Before the Abduction
The house smelled of dust and wood, but Willow didn't care. She brought in a small group of interior designers, instructing them coldly.
"This room should be modern, but minimalistic. He likes neutral tones. And this wall…" she walked her fingers along the surface, "install a bookshelf here. No, two. He reads when he's bored."
She didn't sleep that night. Her mind raced through details. What if he breaks a window? Should I get reinforcements? No… he's not a prisoner. Not exactly.
2 Days Before the Abduction
She stayed up late scrolling online stores, biting her nails, ordering male and female clothing in bulk.
He hates repeating clothes, she reminded herself.
She clicked "Buy" repeatedly, barely blinking. Suits, hoodies, joggers, casual shirts. She chose everything in his and her size.
She didn't know if he'd appreciate it—or burn it all.
But she had to try.
1 Day Before the Abduction
Willow dragged heavy grocery bags into the two houses. The kitchen counters were now packed with ingredients. Rice. Tomatoes. Beef. Coffee. Fruits. Spices. Chocolate—he used to love chocolate.
As she wiped sweat from her forehead, a smile flickered on her lips. A strange sense of pride filled her chest. She had prepared everything.
End of flashback
Willow grinned, proud of her success.
"Make yourself at home," she said, flashing him a victorious smile.