Victoria's body hit the floor with a thud, as if all her strength had suddenly drained away.

The door burst open at that exact moment, revealing a strikingly handsome man silhouetted in the doorway.

Alexander's face darkened instantly when he saw Victoria sprawled on the ground. He rushed forward and lifted her up with careful hands.

"Victoria, what happened?" His voice was velvet soft.

Victoria's panicked eyes focused on his familiar face, and some semblance of calm returned to her wild gaze.

She collapsed against Alexander's chest, sobs wracking her body. "Alex, it was horrible! They want to lock me in that dark room again! Please don't let them take me, I can't go back there!"

Alexander's brow furrowed slightly. "No one's taking you anywhere," he said in that low, commanding tone that always made women weak in the knees.

Amy felt like someone had just plunged a dagger through her heart.

Victoria looked up at him with tear-filled eyes. "Promise you'll protect me?"

"Always."

His reassurance seemed to soothe Victoria's frayed nerves. She whispered, "I want to leave this place."

"Of course."

As Alexander moved to guide Victoria out, Samantha finally snapped.

"Alexander Blackwood! Are you seriously going to cozy up to another woman right in front of your wife?"

It was as if Alexander only just noticed the other occupants of the room. His eyes darkened when they landed on Amy standing silently in the corner.

The police officers, momentarily stunned by Victoria's outburst, regained their composure.

"Ms. Langley is a suspect in a kidnapping case," one officer stated firmly. "We need her to come with us for questioning."

Alexander turned his head slightly. "As you can see, she's in no condition to be interrogated." His voice was calm but carried undeniable authority.

The officer frowned. Dealing with mentally unstable suspects was always complicated.

Just then, Gregory entered, holding a thick medical file.

"Ms. Langley is currently under hospital care for severe clinical depression." He handed over the documents. "Here's her complete psychiatric evaluation."

Since Victoria was both a patient and hadn't been formally charged, the police couldn't forcibly remove her.

After a brief consultation, the lead officer said, "Then we'll need her legal guardian to provide a statement."

Alexander nodded to Gregory. "Take Victoria back to her room."

"Alex, no!" Victoria clung to his arm desperately, her face a mask of terror. "Don't leave me alone! Please!"

Amy watched the scene unfold with a smile that didn't reach her ice-cold eyes.

Perhaps sensing his wife's gaze, Alexander gently disentangled himself from Victoria's grip. "You need to rest. I'll check on you later."

"No! You can't go!" Victoria's hysteria returned full force, her eyes wide with panic. "The dark room... the whips... the pain... Alex, please!"

"I'll be fine."

Tears streamed down Victoria's pale face as she clung to him like a lifeline. "If someone has to go, take me instead! Alex is innocent! Please, don't hurt him!"

With sudden determination, she turned to the officers. "Arrest me! I'll go with you! Just leave Alex alone!"