Back at the wedding, Tim’s anxiety started to spike when Becca returned to the table alone.

"Becca," Tim asked, worry creeping into his voice, "where’s Lily? Why isn’t she with you?"

Becca’s face mirrored his confusion. "I don’t know. She said she’d wait outside the tent for me, but when I came out, she was gone. I thought she decided to head back here."

Tim’s heart skipped a beat. "She’s not here, Becca."

Ryan, trying to calm the situation, suggested, "Maybe she just went to get more food. Let’s split up and look for her. There aren’t many places she could’ve gone."

As panic began to rise inside Tim, his mind raced. Then he remembered the necklace he had given Lily after she came out of the hospital—embedded with a hidden tracking device for protection. He pulled up the app on his phone and saw the small dot moving away, already miles from the venue.

Tim gathered everyone together, his voice urgent. "I’ve found her. She’s about thirty minutes away, and still on the move. I think it’s Stacey behind this."

Becca’s face paled. "I knew it. I told Lily that woman wouldn’t give up so easily. I had a bad feeling."

Ryan clenched his fists, his expression dark. "So, what’s the plan?"

Tim’s jaw tightened as he spoke. "First, we need reinforcements. I’ll call someone Eric and I know to help us. Becca, Rachel, I need you two to stay here in case anything goes wrong. We’ll bring Lily back, and if you don’t hear from us—call the police."

Ryan spoke up, his voice firm. "I’m coming with you. I know you’re her boyfriend, but Lily’s my friend too. I need to help."

Tim’s shoulders tensed, but after a moment, he sighed. "Fine. Let’s go."

Rachel looked uncertain. "Should we tell Eric and Emily what’s happening?"

"No," Tim shook his head. "Not unless things get out of hand. They deserve to enjoy their honeymoon. I’ll take care of this."

Rachel and Becca nodded, heading off toward Lily’s home to wait, while Tim and Ryan jumped into Tim’s car. Tires screeched as they sped away, following the tracking app.

Tim pulled out his phone, dialing a familiar number. "Hello," he said as soon as the call connected.

The rough voice on the other end replied, "It’s been a while, Tim. What can I do for you?"

Tim didn’t waste any time. "I’m sending you a location. I need you and about twenty men to meet me there."

"Not a problem," came the swift reply. "What’s going on?"

"Someone’s kidnapped my girl," Tim’s voice was low and filled with fury. "I don’t know what their plan is yet, but if they hurt her…"

"They won’t. We’ll handle it. See you soon."

Tim hung up, hands gripping the steering wheel so tight his knuckles turned white. Panic had turned into rage, and if Stacey or her thugs had harmed Lily, there would be no mercy.

Meanwhile, deep within an abandoned warehouse far off the beaten path, Lily lay on the cold concrete floor, barely conscious. She stirred as the men who had taken her tied her arms to chains anchored to the wall.

One of them, a greasy-looking man with a twisted grin, ran his hand down her cheek. "She’s a pretty one, isn’t she? I think I’ll take her first," he sneered.

The other man laughed darkly. "Go check on the men outside. I’ll keep watch over our little guest."

As the first man left, the greasy one bent down, starting to pull Lily’s dress off her shoulder. His disgusting touch sent chills through her, but before he could go any further, a voice interrupted.

"Did you do what I asked?" Stacey Cruz stepped into the warehouse, her eyes gleaming with malice.

The man stood up quickly. "Yes, Miss Cruz. She’s all yours. But before I start… the poison?"

Stacey handed him a small black vial. "Once you’ve had your fun, give her this. Make it slow. I want Tim to find her broken."

The man grinned wickedly, pocketing the vial. "You got it, Miss. I’ll take my time."

As they spoke, Lily started to wake fully, groggy and disoriented. Her head throbbed, her vision blurry. She tried to make sense of where she was.

"Wha… where am I?" she whispered, looking around at the dingy surroundings. "Who… who are you?"

Stacey sneered, stepping closer. "You don’t remember me? I’m the one who tried to poison you before."

Fear coursed through Lily’s veins. "Why? Why are you doing this?"

"Because only I can be in Tim’s heart!" Stacey screamed. "You stole him from me, you bitch!"

Lily’s heart pounded as she shook her head. "Tim would never love someone like you."

Fury exploded across Stacey’s face as she slapped Lily hard across the cheek. "Shut up! He loves me! You’re nothing to him!"

Lily, tears streaming down her face, shot back, "No! You’re the one he threw away! Tim loves me, and you’re just jealous."

Stacey’s face twisted into a sinister grin. "We’ll see how much he loves you after my friend here’s done with you."

The greasy man stepped forward, licking his lips. "Don’t fight it. I’ll make it good for you."

Terror flooded Lily’s body, and she shrank back against the wall. "No! Don’t touch me!" she screamed.

But just as the man reached for her, a voice rang out through the warehouse.

"Get your filthy hands off her!"

Tim’s voice echoed like thunder, and in that moment, hope surged through Lily’s heart. He had come for her.

Before the greasy man could react, a dozen men stormed into the warehouse behind Tim, led by the gang leader. Chaos erupted as Tim’s men overwhelmed Stacey’s thugs.

Tim rushed to Lily’s side, cutting the chains that held her. He gathered her into his arms, cradling her gently. "I’ve got you, silly girl. You’re safe now."

Lily, trembling, clung to him, her voice barely a whisper. "I knew you’d come."

Tim’s eyes flashed with anger as he stood, his gaze locking onto Stacey. "You’re done, Stacey."