Despite the time that had passed, Beckett's case remained unsolved. However, Esposito and Ryan had vowed never to stop tracking down her abductor. Their determination was unshakable, and it gave Beckett some comfort as she focused on her own promise: to deliver justice to others and bring peace to victims' families—just as she hoped to one day find peace herself.

Another month went by before a promising lead finally surfaced. The evidence was solid, and it gave them the break they'd been waiting for. With the lead confirmed, there was nothing holding Esposito and Ryan back. They were ready to go after the man who had haunted Beckett for so long.

Now, the precinct buzzed with tense energy as Esposito and Ryan escorted the handcuffed kidnapper through the bullpen. Officers turned to watch as he was led into an interrogation room, their expressions hardening at the sight of him.

Beckett sat next to Castle at her desk, her arms crossed tightly over her chest as she watched the scene unfold. Her jaw clenched when their eyes briefly met, but she didn't look away.

Esposito and Ryan emerged from the room a moment later, their body language radiating tension.

"Okay," Esposito said, addressing Beckett. "We've got him ready. Let's get in there and—"

"I'm going in first," Beckett interrupted, her voice firm.

Castle looked up with concern, Esposito frowned, shaking his head. "Beckett, you don't have to do this. Ryan and I—"

"I need to do this," she insisted, her tone leaving no room for argument. "This isn't about him. It's about me. I need to face him."

Ryan looked uncertain. "Are you sure? He's already got that smug look on his face, and we know he's gonna try to mess with your head."

"I know," Beckett said. Her gaze shifted toward the interrogation room, her expression resolute. "But I'm not letting him take that power from me. Not anymore."

Esposito exchanged a glance with Ryan, then sighed. "Alright. But we'll be right outside. If he so much as breathes the wrong way, we're pulling you out."

"Deal," Beckett said, her lips twitching into a faint smile of appreciation.

With that, Beckett straightened her shoulders and walked into the interrogation room.

Castle, Esposito, and Ryan stood outside in the observation room, waiting silently as Beckett faced the man who had caused her so much pain. The tension was palpable, each of them fixated on the small window that offered a clear view of the room inside.

The interrogation room was quiet except for the metallic click of the door as Beckett stepped inside. She closed it behind her, taking a moment to steady herself before walking toward the table.

The man looked up lazily, his eyes immediately locking onto her. His lips curled into a smirk. "Well, well, well," he drawled, leaning back in his chair. "Look at you. I gotta say, I wasn't expecting this." His gaze moves on her round stomach.

Beckett didn't flinch. She kept her movements controlled, pulling out the chair across from him and sitting down. Her expression remained neutral, though her jaw tightened slightly.

"Oh, don't be shy," he continued, tilting his head as his eyes scanned her. "You didn't think I'd notice? Carrying my kid and all."

Beckett's voice was calm, though laced with ice. "That's not your child. It's mine. And that's the last time you'll even mention it."

He chuckled, the sound low and mocking. "Right, because you're so in control here." He leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping. "Let me guess. You're trying to convince yourself that this doesn't change things. But it does, doesn't it? I'll always be a part of you now. A part of that kid."

Beckett's fists clenched under the table, but her face betrayed nothing. "The only thing you're a part of is this case," she said coldly. "And you're about to spend the rest of your life rotting in a cell, thinking about how pathetic you are."

From the observation window, Castle, Ryan, and Esposito watched intently.

"Steady, Beckett," Ryan murmured under his breath.

"She's got this," Esposito added, though his tense posture betrayed his own anger.

Inside the room, the kidnapper's smirk widened, sensing an opportunity to dig deeper.

"You know," he said, his tone shifting to something more vile, "I really do miss that body of yours." His eyes roamed over her, lingering in ways that made her feel like she needed a shower.

"I remember every curve, every inch. You're something else, Detective. Even now, with a little extra weight up front, you're still... fine." He leaned back, a sick sense of satisfaction spreading across his face. "I'd kill for one more look. Bare, like I had you before. When you were mine."

For a fleeting moment, Beckett's composure wavered. Her lips parted slightly, her breathing hitched, and she felt the sting of his words cutting through her defenses.

In the observation room, Castle's fists were clenched so tightly his knuckles were white. "I swear, if she doesn't put him in his place, I'm going in there myself."

"Not if I get there first," Esposito growled, his entire body rigid with barely-contained fury.

Ryan shook his head, his voice low. "He's just trying to get to her. She won't let him."

Inside the room, Beckett took a slow, deep breath, forcing herself to regain control. She leaned forward slightly, meeting his gaze with an icy stare.

"You think that's going to break me?" she asked, her voice sharp and steady. "All it does is remind me how pathetic you are. You don't have power over me. You never did. And now, all you have left are cheap, disgusting words. That's all you'll ever be—disgusting."

The smirk faded from his face, his confidence faltering.

"Look at you," she continued, her voice gaining strength. "Chained to that chair, while I'm out there living my life. You don't own me. You don't define me. And as for my body? It's none of your business. It never was."

The man's jaw tightened, his composure cracking as he realized he had failed to rattle her.

"She's good," Esposito muttered, his voice full of admiration as he watched her through the glass.

"Better than good," Castle replied quietly, a mix of pride and awe in his voice. Ryan gave a small nod, his expression softening.

Back in the room, Beckett stood, pushing the chair back with controlled force. "You'll spend the rest of your life paying for what you've done. And I'll make sure of it."

Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked out, the sound of the door closing behind her echoing in the small room. The man glared after her, his face twisted in frustration as he realized he had lost.

Beckett stepped out of the interrogation room, her face composed but her eyes steely.

Castle, Ryan and Esposito were waiting just outside, their postures tense.

"He's all yours," Beckett said simply while meeting their eyes with a firm yet weary expression, her voice steady.

Esposito nodded, his jaw tight. "Good. It's about time he got a taste of his own medicine."

Castle touched her arm gently. "Are you okay?"

"Yea," Beckett said, offering a small, reassuring smile, "I'm fine."

"Thanks for letting me go first.", she says to Ryan. "Of course," Ryan said, before exchanging a look with Esposito.

"I want to watch," she says. Ryan and Esposito exchange a look. "We've got this," Ryan says, giving her a reassuring nod.

"Don't hold back," Beckett tells them, her voice hardening with resolve.

"We wouldn't dream of it," Esposito replies, his jaw tight.