Chapter 79

Chapter 79

Anna's eyelids fluttered open, revealing a blurry room. She groggily lifted her head, taking in her surroundings. The air was thick with the scent of old wood and dust. As her vision cleared, she realized she was tied to a sturdy wooden chair, her wrists and ankles bound by rough rope.

Panic set in, and Anna's eyes widened in terror. Memories of her kidnapping flooded her mind: the masked figure, the chloroform, the darkness.

"Who the hell are you?" Anna shouted, her voice hoarse from fear. "Show yourself! Why did you kidnap me? Where am I?" She strained against the restraints, but they held firm.

The door creaked open, and the masked figure entered, his mechanical voice sending shivers down Anna's spine.

"Ah, so many questions," he said, his tone dripping with amusement. "Which one should I answer first?"

Anna glared at him, her heart racing. He wore the same black mask, concealing his face. His eyes, however, sparkled with an unnerving intensity.

He pretended to ponder, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "Well, let's start with the first question. Who the hell am I?" A sly smile spread across his masked face. "Let's say... the person who loves you more than anyone on earth."

Anna's eyes widened in incredulity. "You're insane!" she spat. "I don't even know you!"

The masked figure chuckled, his mechanical voice lacking emotion. "Ah, but you do know me, Anna. You just don't remember."

Anna's mind racing, she scrutinized him. His build, his posture... it was all too familiar.

"Are you Jason?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

The masked figure's smile grew wider. He stepped closer, his eyes glinting with amusement.

"What do you think?" he replied, his voice low and husky.

Anna's heart skipped a beat. It was Jason's voice, but... distorted.

"You're not Jason," she said, trying to convince herself. "You're just trying to mess with my head."

The masked figure shrugged, his shoulders rolling in a fluid motion. "Believe what you want, Anna. But soon, you'll realize the truth."

Anna's fear turned to anger. "Take off that mask! Show me your face!"

He chuckled, the sound sending shivers down her spine. "Not yet, my love. Not yet."

Anna's eyes blazed with defiance. "Please, as you've said earlier, I'm pregnant. Release me! How can you love me when I'm carrying someone else's baby?"

The masked figure's expression darkened, his eyes flashing with anger. He grasped Anna's jaw, his grip tightening like a vice. "Don't ever mention your husband again," he growled, his voice low and menacing.

Anna cowered, fear coursing through her veins. "You're insane!" she spat. "Fernandez will find me, and you'll pay for this!"

The masked figure's smile returned, his eyes gleaming with obsession. "Believe me, Anna, I'm the only one who truly loves you. And I know Fernandez always troubles you. That's why I brought you here, my love. The baby is mine, and we'll raise it together."

Anna's eyes widened in horror. "You're delusional!" she exclaimed. "This baby is Fernandez's, not yours!"

The masked figure's expression twisted, his face reddening with rage. He grasped Anna's jaw again, his fingers digging deep into her skin. "Don't ever mention any man's name when you're with me, love?" he snarled, his eyes blazing.

Anna whimpered, pain shooting through her jaw. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she tried to pry his fingers loose.

"Is that clear?" he demanded, his voice dripping with malice.

Anna nodded, desperate to escape the agony.

The masked figure released her jaw, his eyes widening slightly as he took in Anna's tear-stained face. He turned away, banging his fist on the wall three times in anger.

"If you had listened calmly, I wouldn't have hurt you," he said, his voice laced with regret.

Anna trembled, her jaw throbbing in pain. "You're a monster," she whispered.

The masked figure turned back to her, his eyes filled with a twisted concern. "Don't cry, Anna. See?" He held out his bruised knuckles. "I've hurt myself too."

Anna's gaze remained fixed on his mask, her mind racing with escape plans. Please, Fernandez, find me soon.

"Let's make this clear," Anna said, her voice steady. "I'll never love you. You're a psychopath."

The masked figure's face fell, his eyes flashing with anger once more. "We'll see about that," he growled, turning away.

The masked figure's phone rang, shattering the tense silence. He pulled it from his pocket, checked the caller ID, and hesitated. His gaze locked onto Anna, a mixture of curiosity and wariness.

"Who is it?" Anna asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

The masked figure ignored her, answering the call. "Yes?"

His expression transformed from calm to shock as he listened to the caller. His eyes narrowed, focusing on Anna with growing anger.

"What do you mean?" he growled, his voice low and menacing. "How did you...?"

Anna strained to hear the conversation, but the masked figure's voice was too hushed. He disconnected the call, his face twisted in rage.

"You think you're clever, don't you?" he snarled, advancing on Anna.

Anna shrank back, fear spiking through her veins. But instead of attacking her, he moved behind her, fiddling with the ropes.

"Thank God," Anna breathed, thinking he was releasing her.

However, he only removed her wristwatch and wedding ring. The masked figure stood up, a triumphant smile spreading across his face.

"Gotcha!" he exclaimed. "Your husband thinks he's so smart, planting trackers in your wristwatch and wedding band."

Anna's shoulders slumped in defeat. The caller must have informed him about the trackers, even she wasn't aware of the ring.

"You're too late," the masked figure sneered, crushing the wristwatch beneath his heel. He glared at the wedding ring, his foot hovering over it.

"No!" Anna protested, but it was too late. He ground the ring into the floor, destroying it.

Anna felt a pang of sorrow, despite her marriage being a sham. The ring had symbolized her connection to Fernandez, and now it was gone.

The masked figure's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "Your husband's little trick won't save you now."

Anna's mind raced. Who was the mysterious caller? Someone close to Fernandez, perhaps? And how did they know about the trackers?