Unmasking the Heart

The car sped along a secluded road surrounded by dense trees, the dim light fading with every passing mile. Joi's heart pounded as she clutched Ruby tightly, her mind racing with dark possibilities.

"Where are you taking me?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Neither of the men answered. Their stoic silence unnerved her, making the car's closed space feel like a prison.

Joi glanced outside, dread building as the forest seemed to swallow the road. Her breathing quickened. What if they're planning to kill me? What if my body is left here, never found?

She shouted again, panic lacing her tone. "Answer me! Where are we going?"

One of the men lost patience. Without warning, his hand lashed out, striking her hard across the face.

"Shut up, or we'll throw you out right now!" he barked, his voice sharp and menacing.

Ruby barked loudly in response, his small body trembling with fear.

"Help! Somebody help me!" Joi screamed, though deep down she knew no one would hear her.

"Hold her!" the driver ordered, growing frustrated with the commotion.

One of the men pinned her arms while the other pulled out a syringe. Joi's eyes widened in terror as she thrashed against their grip.

"No! Don't do this!" she cried, her voice breaking.

Ruby lunged, biting the man's hand. Furious, the man struck the puppy, sending him flying into the back of the driver's seat. Ruby let out a sharp whimper that made Joi's heart twist.

"Stop it! Don't hurt him!" Joi screamed, her eyes filling with tears.

The man ignored her and plunged the syringe into her arm. Joi's struggles grew weaker as a wave of dizziness overtook her. Her vision blurred, and her body felt heavy.

"What… did you do to me?" she whispered, her voice faint and slurred.

Her captors said nothing as her consciousness faded. The last thing she heard was Ruby's faint barking.

---

Back at the house, Adrian sat across from Sophia, his icy blue eyes fixed on her. The tension was thick, the weight of their shared past hanging in the air.

"Why did you leave?" Adrian asked, his voice cold and measured.

Sophia hesitated, staring at her hands. "I had to," she said softly. "Your father, Anna… they would have destroyed me. Destroyed us."

Adrian's brows furrowed. "And that's why you disappeared without a word? You didn't think I deserved an explanation?"

Sophia's voice trembled. "It wasn't just about me, Adrian. I was protecting someone else."

"Who?" he asked sharply.

Sophia hesitated before answering, her voice barely above a whisper. "Isabella."

Adrian's body stiffened at the name.

"She's your daughter," Sophia admitted, her gaze finally meeting his.

Adrian stared at her, his mind reeling. "My daughter?"

Sophia nodded. "I found out I was pregnant after I left. I couldn't let your father or Anna find out. They would have used her against you."

Adrian's doubt grew. He had always ensured Sophia took contraceptives during their time together. They'd agreed that a child would only complicate their lives back then. A flicker of suspicion crossed his mind. Did she cheat on me?

He didn't voice his doubts but instead asked, "Where is she now?"

"She's here," Sophia replied. "She's been spending time with Joi. I didn't realize Mrs

Catlin was this Mrs Catlin."

Before Adrian could reply, the sound of footsteps interrupted them. Mrs Catlin entered the room holding Isabella's hand.

Mrs. Catlin entered the living room, holding Isabella's hand. The little girl's face lit up as she spotted Sophia.

"Mommy!" Isabella squealed, letting go of Mrs. Catlin's hand and running to her mother.

Sophia knelt, catching her in a warm hug. "Isabella, my sweet girl," she said softly, forcing a smile even as she felt Adrian's sharp gaze piercing through her.

Adrian, who had been sitting silently with Sophia moments ago, now stared at Isabella with a mixture of confusion and doubt.

"Mommy, I missed you!" Isabella said excitedly before turning toward Adrian. Her hazel eyes sparkled with curiosity.

"Daddy?" she asked, tilting her head as she looked at him.

Adrian froze, his expression unreadable. The word hung heavily in the room.

Sophia stiffened but managed a small nod toward Isabella. "Yes, Isabella. This is… your father."

Isabella's face lit up even more, and she ran to Adrian, wrapping her small arms around his waist. "Daddy! I knew you'd come for us!"

Adrian hesitated, his blue eyes narrowing slightly as he looked down at the little girl. Her blonde curls and hazel eyes didn't resemble him at all. He couldn't ignore the sinking feeling in his chest.

"You didn't come to visit us for so long. Mommy said you were busy, but now you're here!" Isabella continued, oblivious to the tension in the room.

Sophia quickly stepped forward, gently pulling Isabella back. "Sweetheart, give your Daddy some space, okay?"

Adrian knelt to Isabella's level, studying her intently. A small black box slipped from his suit jacket and clattered to the floor.

Isabella bent to pick it up, holding it out to him with a wide smile. "Is this for me, Daddy?"

Adrian took the box without a word, his jaw tightening as he glanced between Sophia and Isabella. Could she really be my child? The timing didn't add up. He'd always made sure Sophia took contraceptives during their time together.

Doubt gnawed at him. Did Sophia cheat on me? He clenched the box tighter but kept his thoughts to himself.

"Mrs. Catlin," Adrian said, standing abruptly. "Find Joi and tell her I need to see her."

"Yes, Mr. Adrian," Mrs. Catlin replied, quickly leaving the room.

Sophia watched him nervously, her hands fidgeting. "Adrian, she's your daughter," she said softly. "I didn't cheat on you. I—"

Adrian cut her off with a cold stare. "We'll discuss this later."

Moments later, Mrs. Catlin returned, looking pale and uneasy.

"Mr. Adrian," she said hesitantly, "Joi isn't here."

Adrian turned to her sharply. "What do you mean she isn't here?"

"I've searched the house, and she's gone… along with Ruby."

Adrian's piercing gaze darkened, his voice dropping to an icy tone. "Are you certain?"

"Yes, sir. She wouldn't leave without telling someone," Mrs. Catlin replied, her worry evident. "I've called her several times, but she's not answering."

Sophia's heart sank, guilt washing over her as she remembered how she and Adrian had ignored Joi earlier. Isabella looked up at her mother, sensing the tension but staying quiet.

Adrian's jaw tightened. He pulled out his phone and dialed Alexander.

"Trace Joi's phone immediately," he ordered.

"Yes, boss," Alexander's voice came through the line.

Adrian ended the call abruptly and began pacing the room. His exhaustion from the business trip had been replaced with a growing sense of unease.

Something was wrong. Very wrong.