The New York skyline glittered beneath the night sky as one of Manhattan's most exclusive penthouses sat high above the city. From the outside it looked like a place of wealth, success, and luxury. Inside, however, it had become a prison.
For nearly two hundred days, Isabella had lived in fear. Once known as a successful jewelry designer, she had disappeared without a trace. Friends searched for answers. Family hired investigators. Yet nobody could locate her. The man responsible made sure of that.
Marcus Hale was a wealthy businessman with powerful connections. To the public, he appeared charming and respected. Behind closed doors, he was something entirely different. He believed he owned everything around him, including Isabella.
For 198 days she endured isolation while Marcus kept careful count of every passing day. He treated her suffering like a game. Each morning he marked another number in a notebook, smiling as though he were tracking a personal achievement.