Don’t Fall for the Billionaire Lover

Chloe paced in tight circles around the iron cage, searching for any possible way out, but there wasn't one. The place felt oddly familiar, like a memory lurking just out of reach. She was sure she'd been here before. Why couldn't she remember? Maybe if she did, she'd know where the hidden exits were.

While she was racking her brain for answers, a waterwheel on the other side of the room creaked to life. The gears turned, pulling at the thick chain that held the cage. With a slow, relentless clank, the chain started to lower. In seconds, the cage was dipping into the icy pool below.

Chloe's calm finally shattered.

"What do I do? What am I supposed to do?"

Was Grant really going to kill them? If the cage went under, Connor wouldn't last long. He'd drown in minutes.

For the first time, real fear took over. Chloe realized just how dangerous her world was—and how much she'd lost her edge. She wasn't the same girl who used to breeze through life-or-death situations.

The water crept higher. Half the cage was already submerged. Connor reached through the bars and squeezed Chloe's hand. She was shaking.

"Don't be scared, Chloe. No matter what happens, you have to get out of here. Promise you'll survive."

He'd known this could happen the second he stepped into the cage. He just didn't know if Grant wanted him dead, or just wanted to watch him suffer. But if only one of them could make it out, Connor would choose Chloe-every single time.

It hurt, deep down. They'd just found each other again, and she still hadn't remembered him.

Chloe squeezed his hand back, holding on like it was all she had. "We're both getting out. There's got to be a way. There just has to be."

She ran to the waterwheel, desperate to stop it. But there was nothing to help her -no tools, nothing. She kicked and pounded at the metal, but it was useless.

When she spun around, the cage was gone completely underwater.

Chloe's heart was in her throat.

Seconds ticked by, each one heavier than the fast. She was gasping for air, but it felt like her lungs weren't working. Her head throbbed. Her thoughts were chaos-fear, panic, fragments of memories.

And then it hit her.

Like a dam breaking, memories flooded in-every moment, every secret, all crashing over her at once.

She remembered.

She stood there, half in the water, frozen. Two years ago-she'd been here. This was where her mentor had been locked up. But she never learned how to work the controls. Maybe only Grant knew. She did know one thing, though: there were hidden cameras everywhere. Grant was watching them.

As the memories settled, Chloe snapped back to herself. She lifted her head and

shouted, her voice echoing across the water.

"Grant! If Connor dies today, then you better be ready to bury both of us!"

Then, without hesitating, she dove in.

Inside the cage, Connor hadn't even tried to fight. If Grant wanted him dead, this w

was the chance. But

maybe Grant just wanted him toet

suffer Either way, Connor knew how to survive underwater-he could hold his breath for ten minutes if he had to.

But then he heard Chloe's voice. And a moment later, she was right there in front

of him, her eyes fierce and determined.noveldrama