"Shut up! You kidnapper!" Mark roared, his voice thick with fury. "Where is my girlfriend? Bring her back, or you'll be sorry!"
Daniel was taken aback by Mark's accusation. He couldn't believe his ears. "Kidnapped? You think I kidnapped her? Look, I haven't seen Kate since yesterday. You're accusing me based on nothing!"
His mind raced, trying to make sense of the situation. Kate had been so sincere yesterday, her eyes full of love and trust. There was no way she would betray him. But how did Mark know she was here? Had she told him? He couldn't understand. He was caught in a web of confusion, unsure of what to believe.
The police officer, a stern-faced man with a badge and a gun, stepped forward. "Mr. Daniels, you're not denying the accusation. We're here because you've been charged with kidnapping. Tell us where you're keeping your victim, and face the law."
Daniel remained calm, despite the gravity of the situation. He had faced accusations before, this wasn't his first rodeo. He wasn't going to panic. He needed to see Kate. She was the only one who could clear this up.
"Alright, she's here but I didn't kidnapped her, she came to me begging for a place to stay, and I will bring her out to say her mind," he said, his voice steady. "She'll tell you everything."
He walked inside, leaving the police officers standing on his porch. His heart pounded as he called out for Kate. A moment later, she appeared in the doorway, her eyes wide with surprise.
"What's going on?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.
Kate's heart pounded in her chest as she flung open the door, her breath catching in her throat. Mark stood before her, his presence filling the space with an intensity that both terrified and captivated her. Tears welled in her eyes, a mix of fear and confusion swirling within her.
She had expected to see something else, something Daniel had prepared her for. But the sight of Mark, standing there with a look of genuine concern etched on his face, left her reeling. How had he found her? How did he know she was here?
"Oh, Kate, my love," Mark said, his voice thick with emotion. "I've missed you so much. I'm so sorry for what happened yesterday. I'm so sorry I couldn't come to your rescue. I went home and I was feeling terrible. I had to go to the hospital, and this morning I had to take care of things. I'm so sorry I ignored you all night."
He reached out and pulled her into a tight embrace. Daniel, expecting her to push him away, watched in disbelief as she clung to Mark, tears streaming down her face. It was as if she were truly in on this plan, the plan they had devised together. A chill of fear snaked down Daniel's spine.
"Kate, what's wrong?" Daniel demanded, his voice laced with urgency. "What are you waiting for? What's going on here? Why don't you just speak up? Let the police take care of this bully, this weakling who uses his power to force himself on women! Kate, come..."
His words were cut short by Mark's sudden intervention.
"Come on shut the fuck up! you are the criminal here and you are going to pay for everything you did to us yesterday and I hope you didn't hurt my girl... look at me Kate! did he in any way try to hurt you?" Mark asked but Kate didn't to respond to that question neither did she even act like she heard him, she was instead crying so bitter and having tears flowing out of her eyes like a river.
Daniel was a whirlwind of confusion and anger. He couldn't understand Kate's actions. Was she against him, or was she against the people who were trying to kill her? He hadn't even had a chance to ask her what had happened the night before. He knew the situation was complex, but right now, he needed her to defend him. If she gave him up to the police, he wouldn't stand a chance. And he knew Mark wouldn't rest until Kate was gone.
Siding with Mark to protect whatever foolish secrets he was hiding was putting her life at risk. Even if she spoke against him now, Mark would deal with her later, and it wouldn't be pretty. She knew that.
"Oh, it's okay, it's all okay now," Mark said, his voice smooth and reassuring. "You're with me, you're safe. Nothing is going to happen to you. But this man here is going to pay for everything he's done to you! Officers, what are you waiting for? Can't you see he's terrified her into silence? He must have pressured her! Arrest him! He's a kidnapper!"
Mark's words, laced with a venomous charm, swayed the police commander. The officer immediately brought out his handcuffs.
"Well, Mr. Daniel," the officer said, "once again, you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law."
He moved toward Daniel, ready to take him into custody, but Daniel roared in protest.
"Stop right there! You can't be serious! You're going to arrest me based on a single accusation, without any proof?"
"Mr. Daniel," the police officer began, his voice firm, "we have the suspected kidnapper and the alleged victim in the same house. What more proof do you need?"
Daniel's gaze locked with Kate's. Tears streamed down her face, but all he saw was unnecessary drama. He couldn't understand why she remained silent, why she didn't simply tell them he hadn't kidnapped her. A single word from her would end this, but she was choosing to stay quiet, using her tears to manipulate the situation. It was pure wickedness. He had saved her life, and now she was going to let him go to jail for a crime he didn't commit, all because of the same Mark who had nearly killed her. What hold did Mark have over her? What was he using against her that made her willing to risk everything, even her own life, to protect him?
Time seemed to stretch into an eternity as Kate remained silent. Daniel turned back to the police, ready to defend himself.
"I didn't kidnap her!" he shouted. "I didn't hear her say she was kidnapped. She came to me last night, bleeding and scared. I didn't even know what had happened. It seemed like something had gone down between her and Mark. She needed my help, and I helped her. She never said I kidnapped her!"
Mark smirked, his eyes fixed on Kate. "Well then, let's hear what she has to say. Did I hurt her, or did you kidnap her? I was wondering why I would hurt someone I love so much! You know what you did, but you're trying to cover it up. Don't worry, she's not scared of you anymore. She's lost that fear. I'm here, and I'll do everything to protect her!"
"So tell us, Kate!" Mark demanded, his right hand resting possessively on her cheek, forcing her to meet his gaze. A silent message passed between them, a chilling blend of care and darkness that only Kate could decipher. Even Daniel, watching intently, couldn't decipher the coded message. It was as if they were speaking a language only they understood.
"Look at the police and tell them what happened last night," Mark instructed, his voice a low growl.
Kate's eyes darted to the officers, her body trembling. More tears streamed down her face, blurring her vision. Daniel watched, his frustration mounting. Why was she crying? Why wouldn't she just tell the truth? He would protect her, make sure she was safe, and ensure he was freed from the web of lies Mark was weaving around her.
Well, just after a brief look between her and Daniel she then look at the policeman. "I was with my boyfriend that night at home when Daniel came with sudden unknown group of men, they forcefully took me away and took me directly to this place, they beat me, wounded me, tried to rape me" She said and then Daniel was left looking at her, her statement was so unbelievable even if she was going to agree that she was kidnapped he never believed that she will even add more to it like she did, he felt like killing her by himself right now.