Kidnapped - A Beautiful Blessing

Sasha barely had time to think before she acted on instinct. A deafening crack of thunder split the night, and without hesitation, she threw herself against Darius's chest. The impact was sudden and forceful, catching him off guard as she pressed tightly against him. Her entire body trembled, her breaths coming in short, panicked gasps.

Darius stiffened at first, unprepared for her reaction, but as he felt the way she shuddered, he exhaled slowly, lowering his guard. His large, warm hand settled on her back, moving in slow, soothing circles.

"You're fine," he murmured, his voice low, calming.

Sasha didn't answer. She only pressed her face further against him, her fingers gripping the fabric of his shirt. He could feel her breath against his skin, uneven, erratic.

Minutes passed. The thunder eventually faded into the distance, its ferocity replaced by a gentle patter of rain against the windows. Darius finally glanced down at her, wondering if she was feeling better.

"Are you fine now?" he asked, his tone softer than usual.

No response.

Curious, he shifted slightly and tilted his head to look at her—only to find that she had already fallen asleep. Her face, once twisted in fear, was now peaceful, her breathing deep and steady.

Darius exhaled through his nose, lingering for a moment before carefully adjusting her position. He laid her back onto the bed, pulling the blanket over her to keep her warm. His gaze lingered on her for a second longer than necessary before he finally left the room.

When Sasha woke up, she was immediately aware of one thing—the bed was empty.

A frown formed on her lips as her last memory rushed back to her in vivid detail. The storm. The thunder. Throwing herself at Darius. Sleeping against his chest.

Her eyes widened in horror.

*No way!*

She groaned and squeezed her eyes shut, pressing her fingers against her temples. Embarrassment flooded her, heating her face. Had she really done that? Clung to him like a frightened child?

Just then, a soft knock interrupted her inner panic. A maid entered, carrying a warm demeanor along with a professional smile.

"Ma'am, what would you like for breakfast?" the maid asked politely.

Sasha pushed a hand through her hair, still mentally cursing herself. "What do you have?" she asked, rubbing her forehead.

"Sir instructed me to prepare eggs with bread for breakfast," the maid replied.

That made Sasha pause. She blinked, her lips pressing into a thin line.

*So, he even decides what I eat now?*

"Then, that breakfast belongs to him, not me," she said coolly. "Just prepare a coffee for me."

The maid hesitated for a second, then nodded. "Okay, ma'am." With that, she turned and left the room.

Once she was alone again, Sasha sighed and got out of bed. A dull throbbing pulsed through her temples, making her wince. As she reached the window, she placed a hand against it, looking out at the damp morning.

A wave of pain hit her, and she hissed under her breath, pressing a hand to her forehead.

*It's all because of those drenched clothes… I must have caught a cold.*

She closed her eyes, inhaling deeply. The night had been long, full of confusion, warmth, and a storm she hadn't been prepared for—both outside and within herself.

After some time, the maid returned, carrying a steaming cup of coffee. Sasha took it and walked outside, letting the weak morning sun warm her skin. She sipped her coffee slowly, relishing the slight bitterness.

Her mind drifted, and suddenly, she remembered—she had unread messages.

Unlocking her phone, she quickly checked her inbox.

**Lea:**

*Hi.*

*Did you reach home?*

*Don't forget to check up on your health. You were wet the entire time.*

*Can we meet? Probably tomorrow? What do you say?*

Sasha stared at the messages for a moment, her mind spinning.

Lea was close to Darius, which meant that if she met up with her, there was a chance of gathering information—information that could work in her favor. More importantly, this meeting could be her moment of freedom, even if temporary.

She typed out a response without hesitation.

**Sasha:**

*Yes. Just tell me the time and location.*

Lea's reply came almost instantly.

**Lea:**

*Lovers' Park, 3 PM.*

Sasha smirked.

*Perfect.*

She quickly typed back.

**Sasha:**

*Okay.*

Now, there was just one issue—informing Darius.

She navigated to her contacts, searched for his name, and pressed the call button. It rang for a few seconds before he picked up.

"Hello," she said first, clearing her throat. "Good morning."

There was a pause before his deep voice responded, "It's noon."

Sasha glanced at the clock and winced. "Oh. I didn't check the time."

A brief silence. Then, "Why did you call?"

Straight to the point, as always.

"Lea messaged me," she informed him. "She wants to meet me somewhere at 3 PM. So… can I go?"

Darius didn't even hesitate. "Okay. Go."

Sasha blinked. She had expected at least a few questions, some level of resistance. But he allowed it without protest.

"...Okay," she said, feeling slightly off balance. Then, as an afterthought, she added, "Also, do you have any headache tablets?"

"Check the drawers near the bed."

"Alright—"

But he had already ended the call.

Sasha pulled the phone away from her ear and stared at it for a second. His responses were always abrupt, but somehow, she wasn't as annoyed as she used to be.

Shaking her head, she found the medicine, took a tablet, and lay down for a while. The warmth of the blanket and the effect of the medicine lulled her into a brief sleep.

When she woke up, it was time to get ready for the meeting.

The venue buzzed with the soft hum of conversation, the clinking of cups, and the distant melody of a violin playing in the background. Sasha stepped inside, scanning the cozy café until her eyes landed on Lea, who waved enthusiastically from a corner booth. Sunlight poured in through the large windows, illuminating Lea's face—her features softer, her eyes sparkling with a happiness Sasha hadn't seen in a long time.

As Sasha approached, Lea's excitement was almost contagious.

"Hey!" Lea greeted, her voice filled with warmth as Sasha slid into the seat across from her.

"Hey," Sasha responded, taking in her friend's glowing expression. "You look… different today."

Lea let out a soft laugh, her hands instinctively resting over her stomach. "That's because I have some news to share with you."

Sasha arched an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Without another word, Lea pulled out her phone, her fingers moving quickly until she found what she was looking for. She turned the screen toward Sasha, showing her a black-and-white sonogram.

"It's ours!" Lea beamed, her joy almost tangible. "I'm so excited!"

Sasha leaned in, studying the image. "I can see that." A small smile tugged at her lips as she chuckled along with Lea.

"Can you see the head?" Lea asked eagerly.

Sasha squinted at the image but shook her head. "Not really."

Lea giggled, zooming in and tracing her finger over the tiny shape. "Here. See? That's the head."

"Oh, it's so small," Sasha mused, tilting her head slightly as if the angle would help her see it better.

"Well, the baby is only the size of a plum right now," Lea explained, her voice filled with awe. "So, yeah, very tiny."

Sasha hesitated before asking, "Are you scared? I heard childbirth is… painful."

Lea's expression softened. "I am. But I have Leon." Her lips curved into a tender smile. "He's my strength. With him by my side, I know I can face anything."

Before Sasha could respond, Lea's phone rang. Glancing at the screen, she instantly picked up.

"So sorry, Leon, I forgot to tell you." Her voice was soothing, almost teasing.

A deep voice on the other end murmured something, and Lea giggled. "Okay, okay, don't worry. I promise I'll let you know next time."

Sasha watched silently as Lea's expression shifted into something softer, more intimate.

"I know you're there to worry for me," Lea continued. "So why should I? Remember what the doctor said—the baby can't handle me being stressed."

Another pause. Lea hummed in agreement before chuckling again. "We have your men, don't worry. I'll be fine. I love you too. Come soon, okay? Bye."

She ended the call, still wearing that contented smile as she set her phone down. Looking up, she met Sasha's eyes, and they shared a knowing glance.

"He's just a little… overprotective." Lea sighed playfully. "But you know how our husbands are. Their work and what it costs."

Sasha hummed in agreement, though she wasn't sure how to describe Darius's way of showing care. He wasn't the type to voice it often, but his actions spoke louder than words.

Lea brightened again. "Anyway! Tell me, what do you think? Will it be a prince or a princess?"

Sasha shrugged. "I don't know. But they say a mother can feel it."

"Really?" Lea's eyes widened with curiosity. "Then, I feel it'll be my little princess. Leon keeps insisting it's a boy, but I told him what my feelings were. Still, he's so adamant." She pouted before laughing.

Sasha smiled, watching the pure happiness radiating from her. It was nice. Peaceful.

Just then, a waiter arrived with menus. They placed their orders, and as soon as he left, Lea leaned in conspiratorially.

"We've set a date for the baby shower," she announced. "You and Darius are invited."

Sasha nodded. "I'll tell him."

Lea tilted her head, a curious glint in her eye. "Darius?"

Sasha frowned slightly. "Yeah?"

Lea smirked. "I was reading something yesterday—it said that in India, wives usually don't call their husbands by their first names."

Sasha rolled her eyes. "That's an old thing."

"Oh," Lea huffed in mock disappointment. "The article didn't mention that."

Sasha chuckled. "Leave that. Tell me—are you planning to go to your mother's house for your pregnancy care?"

A shadow passed over Lea's face. She looked down briefly, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her napkin. "I don't have a mother."

Sasha felt an unexpected pang in her chest. "I'm sorry," she said softly.

Lea quickly recovered, offering a small smile. "It's okay."

Sasha hesitated before answering the same question. "What about you?"

"They were murdered." Her voice was void of emotion, as if she had repeated the words so many times that they had lost their weight.

A brief silence settled between them before the waiter returned with their food. Lea excused herself to the washroom, and when she returned, she scrunched her nose at the smell of her caramel tea.

"This smells weird."

The waiter quickly replaced it with a fresh glass of orange juice, and as Lea sipped, Sasha drifted into a memory.

She was a child again, tugging on her mother's sleeve.

"Mummy, I want a baby brother or sister too! My friends have one."

Her mother's voice was soft, tired. "No, child. Your mum is sick."

Sasha frowned. "Why? What happened to you?"

Her mother smiled faintly. "I'm just weak, my child."

"Then eat veggies," Sasha scolded with all the authority of a child. "You always tell me to eat them, but you don't! You're a bad girl, Mumma."

Her mother laughed, a weak but beautiful sound. Her father chuckled beside them, his hand resting over her mother's.

The memory faded, and Sasha blinked back into the present.

Lea's voice pulled her back. "Sasha, can you look at these? Tell me which one is best for the baby."

She turned her phone toward Sasha, displaying a series of baby outfits.

A soft blue dress with a panda design caught Sasha's attention. "This one."

Lea's eyes sparkled. "Oh, it's adorable! I'm adding it." She clicked on the screen, finalizing the purchase.

The conversation flowed naturally after that—giggling over baby clothes, discussing names, and sharing stories. It felt light. Easy.

Then, the sound of approaching footsteps made Lea's eyes flicker toward the entrance. Her face instantly lit up, her lips curling into a broad smile.

Leon had arrived.

He strode toward their table, his sharp eyes instantly locking onto Lea. Without a word, he slid into the seat beside her, his presence dominating the space. Lea's happiness was palpable as she leaned slightly toward him, and Leon's lips twitched into a small but unmistakable smile in return.

Sasha observed them, a fleeting warmth settling in her chest. Despite everything—despite who they were and what they had done—love still found its way through.

Even in the darkest of places.

"You didn't tell me you were coming," Lea said, surprise evident in her voice as she glanced up from the clothing rack.

Sasha offered a small shrug. "I was just passing by this road, so I thought I'd drop in."

Lea smiled warmly and gestured toward the man beside her. "Sasha, meet my husband."

Sasha turned her attention to the man Lea had introduced—Leon. His presence carried an air of quiet authority, his sharp eyes scrutinizing the fabric of the clothes his wife had been admiring.

"Nice to meet you," Sasha said politely.

Leon gave her a nod, his focus still on the garments. "Likewise."

As the two women exchanged pleasantries, Lea excitedly began showing Sasha the selection of clothes in the cart. She spoke animatedly about the baby shower, her hands gesturing over different outfits. Leon, however, seemed unimpressed.

"The quality isn't good enough," he muttered, running his fingers along the fabric.

Lea sighed. "Well, it's not like the baby is going to wear these forever. They grow fast."

Sasha remained quiet, merely observing the couple's dynamic. Though they appeared to be in sync, there was an unspoken tension in Leon's body language, something guarded beneath the surface.

A familiar presence made Sasha's spine stiffen. She turned her head slightly, sensing eyes on her—or perhaps just the weight of someone's arrival.

And then she saw him.

Darius.

He stood at a slight distance, leaning against a nearby counter, his fingers absently scrolling through his phone. His face was unreadable, cool, detached—like he hadn't just walked into the same space as his wife. He made no effort to announce himself, as if his presence alone was enough.

Sasha found herself staring at him, curiosity flickering in her gaze. Had he seen her? Had he noticed the way she had turned at the mere pull of his presence?

Leon, who had been momentarily distracted by his wife's choices, glanced toward the entrance and smirked. "Took you long enough."

Darius slid his phone into his pocket, finally looking up. "Yeah, something came up that needed my attention."

Lea's face lit up as she turned to him. "Hi, Darius."

"Hello, Lea," he greeted, his tone as composed as ever. Then, after a slight pause, he added, "And congratulations."

"Thank you so much, Darius!" Lea beamed. There was genuine joy in her expression, an excitement that softened the tension in the air. After a beat, she asked, "Would you like something to drink?"

Darius shook his head. "No, I'm fine."

Before another word could be exchanged, his phone buzzed again. With an unreadable expression, he glanced at the screen and excused himself.

Sasha watched as he stepped away, disappearing toward the exit to take the call.

Meanwhile, Lea picked up her half-finished glass of orange juice and turned to Leon. "Can you drink this? I don't want it anymore."

Leon arched a brow. "Are you sure? You never leave this juice unfinished."

Lea gave a small, distracted shrug. "I just don't feel like drinking anymore." There was something distant in her voice, a subtle weight pressing on her features.

Leon studied her for a moment before taking the glass from her hand. Sasha's eyes followed as he lifted it to his lips—his mouth meeting the faint imprint of Lea's light pink lipstick on the rim of the glass.

A wave of discomfort rolled through Sasha. She clenched her jaw, fighting the urge to grimace. The intimate moment between husband and wife—though unintentional—was enough to make her stomach twist. She turned her gaze away, pretending to focus on something else.

Moments later, Darius returned. His expression remained impassive as he slid his phone back into his pocket. "We're leaving," he announced simply.

Leon gave him a knowing look but didn't question it. Lea offered a small smile, and Sasha simply nodded.

Without another word, Darius and Sasha stepped outside and made their way to the car.

The air inside the vehicle was thick with silence as they drove. Sasha stole a glance at Darius, but he seemed focused on the road ahead, his mind elsewhere.

Finally, she broke the quiet. "Lea invited us to her baby shower."

"I know," Darius replied without missing a beat.

Sasha pressed her lips together. Of course, he already knew. It was obvious that Leon would have mentioned it to him. Still, she had spoken without thinking, making herself look foolish.

Feeling the need to say something else, she quickly added, "I don't have a dress for it."

Darius kept his gaze on the road. "What about the dresses you bought before the wedding?"

Sasha frowned slightly. "They won't suit the occasion. I want a new one."

"Fine." He didn't argue. "When do you want to go?"

"Tomorrow?"

"Not possible."

"Why not?" she asked, glancing at him.

"It's our reception."

She blinked, realization dawning on her. "Oh… right."

There was a brief pause before she asked, "When is the baby shower?"

"This weekend."

Silence settled between them again.

Sasha turned her gaze toward the window, watching as the city lights blurred past. Something about the way Darius carried himself, the way he handled every situation with that unwavering calm, made her feel like she was constantly trying to catch up.

And yet, despite everything, she still found herself tethered to him.

Even now.