CEO loves me with all his soul.
Chapter 32. Kidnapped

Chapter 32: 32. Kidnapped

The soft breeze of the late afternoon swept through the park, the rustling leaves dancing around the pathways. Adrian and Ethan strolled leisurely along the paved walkways, their hands intertwined as they took in the peaceful surroundings of the park near their community. The serenity of the moment made it feel like all their troubles were miles away.

Ethan glanced down at Adrian, a warm smile lighting up his face. "How are you feeling? Comfortable?"

Adrian looked up, his silver eyes gleaming with contentment. "I’m fine, really. It’s been a while since I’ve felt this relaxed." He squeezed Ethan’s hand gently. "It’s nice to just be... here. With you."

Ethan chuckled, his thumb tracing soft circles on Adrian’s hand. "I’m glad. After everything, you deserve some peace."

They walked for a while longer, making light conversation. The tension that had once filled their lives seemed to dissipate, replaced by a quiet happiness. The weight of the pregnancy had begun to settle in, but it no longer felt as daunting as it once did. They had each other, and that was enough.

After about half an hour, Adrian’s stomach let out a soft growl. He blushed, pressing a hand to his belly. "I think someone’s hungry," he said with a sheepish smile.

Ethan grinned. "You and the baby, huh? Let’s head back home and grab something to eat."

Adrian shook his head quickly. "I don’t want to go back yet. It’s so peaceful here." His eyes sparkled with a gentle plea. "Maybe you can grab something from the nearby café? I’ll wait here."

Ethan hesitated for a moment, glancing around the park. "Are you sure? I don’t want to leave you alone."

Adrian rolled his eyes playfully. "I’ll be fine, Ethan. It’s just a quick walk to the café. I’ll be right here when you come back."

With a sigh, Ethan relented. "Alright, but don’t go anywhere. I’ll be back in a flash." He pressed a quick kiss to Adrian’s forehead before heading toward the café, disappearing around the corner.

Adrian settled on a nearby bench, watching the children play in the distance and couples walking hand in hand. The tranquil atmosphere lulled him into a sense of ease, his mind wandering to thoughts of the future—thoughts of the child growing inside him, thoughts of the life he was beginning to build with Ethan. For the first time in a long while, Adrian felt... happy.

But the peace was short-lived.

Suddenly, a shadow loomed over him. Before Adrian could react, a hand clamped down over his mouth, and a sharp sting pierced the side of his neck. His vision blurred, the world around him spinning as he struggled to fight off the overwhelming dizziness.

The last thing Adrian saw before everything went black was a dark figure dragging him toward a van parked nearby.

---

Ethan returned to the park not ten minutes later, holding two cups of coffee and a bag of pastries. His gaze immediately swept toward the bench where he had left Adrian, expecting to see his delicate figure waiting patiently for him.

But the bench was empty.

"Adrian?" Ethan called out, his heart rate picking up slightly. He set the bag and cups down and quickly scanned the area, hoping to catch a glimpse of Adrian’s familiar black hair or hear his voice.

Nothing.

"Adrian!" Ethan’s voice grew more urgent as he walked further into the park, his chest tightening with each step. Panic began to creep into his mind. Adrian wouldn’t just leave without telling him.

Ethan pulled out his phone and quickly dialed Leclair’s number, his voice tight with worry as soon as his brother answered. "Leclair, is Adrian at the house?"

Leclair’s voice was calm on the other end of the line. "No, Ethan. He’s with you, isn’t he?"

Ethan’s blood ran cold. "He’s gone. I left him for a few minutes, and now he’s gone."

There was a pause, then Leclair’s tone shifted, more serious now. "That’s not right. Adrian wouldn’t just disappear. Something’s happened."

Ethan clenched his jaw, his mind racing as he sprinted toward the park’s security office. "I’m checking the security cameras now. Something’s wrong, Leclair. I can feel it."

Leclair’s voice was steady but firm. "Keep me updated. I’ll make some calls."

Ethan barged into the security office, flashing his ID and demanding access to the park’s surveillance footage. The security team, recognizing the urgency in his voice, immediately pulled up the recordings from the past thirty minutes.

Ethan’s heart pounded as he watched the screen. There it was—Adrian sitting peacefully on the bench, waiting for him. But then, a van pulled up, and within seconds, a dark figure emerged, grabbed Adrian, and pulled him into the vehicle. The van sped off, disappearing from view.

Ethan’s fists clenched as he saw the van had no license plate. It was a professional job. Whoever took Adrian knew what they were doing.

"Damn it!" Ethan cursed under his breath. His pulse raced, his mind scrambling for a plan. He had to find Adrian—and fast.

Without wasting a second, he called Leclair back. "Adrian’s been kidnapped. No license plate on the van, but I’ll send you the footage."

Leclair’s voice was icy now, filled with an unmistakable edge. "Send it over. I’ll have my men track the van’s make and model. In the meantime, I have another lead."

Ethan frowned, pacing as he sent Leclair the footage. "What lead?"

Leclair’s voice was low, almost conspiratorial. "I had my men look into Lady Sachel and Anshi. They’ve been lying low, but I traced them to an abandoned factory on the outskirts of the city."

Ethan’s eyes narrowed. "You think they’re behind this?"

"I wouldn’t be surprised," Leclair replied, his tone dark. "They’ve been too quiet for too long. If anyone would want Adrian out of the way, it’s them."

Ethan’s blood boiled at the thought. Anshi—how dare he? How dare Lady Sachel and her spoiled little accomplice lay a hand on Adrian?

Leclair’s next words sent a chill through Ethan’s body. "I’ve already sent my men to bring in Lady Sachel and Anshi. We’ll make them talk."

Ethan gritted his teeth, his heart pounding in his chest. "Tell me where the factory is. I’m going to get Adrian back."

Leclair hesitated for a moment. "Ethan, you need to stay calm. We’ll handle this, but you can’t charge in without a plan."

"I don’t care!" Ethan growled. "Adrian’s out there, scared and alone. I’m not sitting around while someone has him."

Leclair sighed, his voice softer now. "I know. I get it, Ethan. But we can’t afford to make mistakes. I’ll send you the location, and we’ll meet there with the full team. We’ll get Adrian back safely. I promise."

Ethan didn’t reply. His mind was already focused on one thing—rescuing Adrian. No matter the cost.

Meanwhile, in a cold, dimly lit room on the outskirts of the city, Adrian slowly began to regain consciousness. His head throbbed, and his body felt heavy, as though weighed down by invisible chains. His surroundings were unfamiliar, the air thick with the smell of dust and decay.

He groaned softly, trying to move, but his limbs felt sluggish, his body still weak from whatever drug had knocked him out.

Where am I?

Adrian’s heart raced as the memories slowly came back. The park. The van. Being dragged away. Panic surged through him, but he forced himself to stay calm, focusing on the faint sounds around him. He wasn’t alone. There were footsteps in the distance, muffled voices he couldn’t quite make out.

He had to escape.

With great effort, Adrian pushed himself into a sitting position, his hand instinctively moving to his stomach. His heart ached with worry. The baby. He had to protect the baby.

Just then, the door creaked open, and Adrian’s heart leapt into his throat. A figure stepped into the room, their silhouette shadowed against the dim light.

"Finally awake, are we?" a familiar voice purred.

Adrian’s blood turned cold. Anshi.

Back at the factory’s perimeter, Leclair’s men moved swiftly, coordinating with Ethan as they prepared to breach the building. Ethan, his heart pounding and his fists clenched, stood on the edge of the operation, ready to storm in at the first sign of Adrian.

His men, dressed in black, moved silently, their faces hidden under caps as they took their positions. They had been briefed on the situation; they knew Adrian’s life was at stake. The plan was simple—get in, retrieve Adrian, and get out. Clean and quick.

Leclair glanced at Ethan, who was pacing back and forth, his fists clenched and jaw set in determination. Ethan’s worry was evident in every step, every sharp breath. His entire being was focused on one thing: Adrian.

Ethan’s eyes met Leclair’s, and his voice was low, filled with barely contained anxiety. "Are we sure he’s in there? What if we’re too late?"

Leclair nodded firmly. "We’ve tracked them here. This is the place. We’re going to get him back."

Ethan’s chest tightened. He couldn’t shake the gnawing dread in his stomach. He had seen the van, he knew Adrian was taken, but the uncertainty was eating him alive. His heart pounded, and his mind raced with every possible scenario of what could be happening to Adrian right now.

Suddenly, one of Leclair’s men approached and gave a curt nod. "We’re ready, sir."

Leclair’s expression hardened. "Go in on my signal. But no one moves until I give the word."

The team shifted into position, preparing for the breach. Ethan’s pulse quickened, his eyes trained on the large steel door that separated him from the man he loved.

Just as Leclair raised his hand, signaling the go-ahead, a loud banging noise echoed from inside the building. It was harsh and unexpected, like something—or someone—slamming against metal.

Ethan’s heart skipped a beat. "What the hell was that?" he whispered, his voice edged with fear.

Leclair frowned, his gaze flicking to the door. "Stay calm. It could be anything."

But Ethan wasn’t calm. He couldn’t be. "We have to get in there!" He surged forward, his hand on the door handle, ready to force his way inside. Every fiber of his being screamed that Adrian was in danger.

Leclair grabbed his arm, pulling him back. "Wait!" His voice was low but firm, trying to keep Ethan from acting on impulse.

Ethan yanked his arm free, his eyes wild with desperation. "No! Adrian’s in there. I can’t just wait anymore!"

Another bang, louder this time. The sound made Ethan flinch. His mind conjured horrifying images of Adrian in pain, trapped, and alone.

Leclair sighed, knowing that Ethan wasn’t going to stand by much longer. He signaled to his men to be ready. "Fine. But stay close. Don’t do anything reckless."

Ethan nodded quickly, his eyes darting to the door as Leclair and his team moved in. Every second felt like an hour, his heart thundering in his chest. He needed to see Adrian. He needed to know that Adrian was safe.

As they approached the door, the banging stopped, replaced by an eerie silence. Ethan’s breathing quickened. The sudden quiet was more terrifying than the noise.

Leclair’s men moved swiftly, their practiced precision on full display. One of them quickly disabled the lock, and with a soft creak, the heavy door began to swing open.

The scene before them was bathed in shadows, the dim light from the hallway barely cutting through the darkness inside. Ethan’s eyes strained to adjust, but what he saw made his blood run cold.

There, in the middle of the cold, concrete room, was Adrian.

Blood.

Adrian’s delicate frame was crumpled on the floor, his clothes stained with deep red, his face pale as a ghost. His long black hair was matted, and his silver eyes were closed. He wasn’t moving.

"Adrian!" Ethan’s voice broke through the oppressive silence as he rushed forward, panic taking over. He knelt beside Adrian, his trembling hands reaching out to touch him.

"Adrian... please..." Ethan’s voice cracked, his fingers brushing against Adrian’s cheek, cold and pale. His heart hammered in his chest, a suffocating fear choking him as he searched for any sign of life.

But there was nothing.

Ethan’s entire world tilted, his breath coming in short, frantic gasps. This couldn’t be real. It couldn’t be happening. Not now. Not after everything they had been through.

He pressed his hand to Adrian’s chest, desperate to feel a heartbeat, but the coldness of Adrian’s body only deepened his panic. "No... no, no, no..." Ethan’s voice was barely a whisper as tears began to form in his eyes.

Leclair’s men moved quickly, searching the room for any sign of an attacker, but Ethan didn’t care about any of that. His focus was solely on Adrian.

"Adrian, wake up!" Ethan shouted, his voice raw with desperation.