Page 93 of Stolen Sun

Opening my eyes again will most likely bring more pain, so I wait for my thoughts to make sense before I try again. That song. I need it to stop.

The last thing I remember is Grant taking me to his plane and telling me to drink some water. He kept apologizing, telling me I’d understand when I learned everything.

What I’ve learned so far is what I already knew. Grant and Jaclyn wouldn’t say much, and they kept Veronica away from me. But I saw her. I’m not stupid. They wouldn’t have her around if she wasn’t carrying Nate’s baby.

I tried to explain to them that I would give her Nate’s money, but they said I had to go with them. Grant kept saying it wasn’t about money.

We flew somewhere, but I don’t know where or how far. My head hurts so bad, and that song has me even more on edge..

“Good morning, sunshine,” a man’s voice says.

Chills prickle all over my body. I know that voice. But it can’t be.

“I’ve missed you, baby,” he says.

Oh, God.

“Nate?” My voice croaks as I open my eyes.

The light burns, and my head throbs, but I force myself to look for him. My heart is racing at the possibility.

“Yeah, babe, it’s me. Take it slow,” he says, his voice just as beautiful as I remembered.

“How?” I ask in disbelief.

My eyes land on his form, and I blink until he comes into focus. His eyes shine bright blue. His skin is more golden than I remember, his hair a lighter blonde. My heart threatens to explode at the sight of him alive after all these months.

“I’m so sorry I’ve had to put you through all of this, but I’m here now.”

I knew it. Knew he would come for me. Knew it couldn’t have been him. The tears fall like rain.

“I looked for you. I told everyone it wasn’t you in that car,” I sob.

I begged and pleaded with God for so long to let me see him again, to make it untrue.

“I knew you’d wait for me, my love. Dad said it was a bad plan, that you’d move on. I told him you could have a small distraction. You needed to get him out of your system, anyway. I forgive you, Elle,” he says.

What? I didn’t wait. Oh, no. Declan.

The tears slow as the reality of my situation begins to creep in. My brain is still so foggy, but he knows that’s not true. I was at Declan’s when I was taken. I wiggle the fingers on my left hand. My ring is still there.

Nate knows.Nate’s alive, and he knows I’m married to Declan.

His smile fades as I sit up straighter. When I try to wipe my face, I realize my hands are tied behind my back. Panic takes my breath away.

“Nate! Nate, untie me! What is this?” I squeak out, pleading with him.

“We have some things to discuss, and you aren’t going to like some of the things I need to say.”

He stands up, finally turning off the music.

“Why would you kidnap me? What did he give me?” I try to sound stronger than I feel. I need to stay in control to figure this out.

“It was a sedative to help you sleep. Apparently, you gave my parents a really hard time, which surprises me. The woman I married was gentle. I’m not sure I like this new side of you,” he says, looking over me disapprovingly.

My instincts tell me to keep my mouth shut. This isn’t the man I knew, and he’s got nothing left to lose. He’s dangerous.

“We’ll work at your pace, Noel. I don’t want to hurt you anymore than I already have,” he says.

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