Chapter 8
“Why do you keep violence?“”]
Monica raised her hand to strike back, but Matthew grabbed her wrist, his grip like tron.[]
“Enough.” He threw her hand aside. The look he gave Sophie was dripping with disappointment. “Sophie, what’s happened to you? Why are you acting like this?”
“Let’s go. We’ll let her cool down.“]
Matthew dragged the still–crying Joseph and practically shoved Monica out the door.
The moment the door clicked shut, Sophie’s frayed nerves finally snapped. She slid down the wall to the floor, tears streaming down her face, the bitter taste from her cut lip stinging.
Her phone chimed. The screen lit up–a notification that the funds from her stock transfer had arrived.[]
Sophie wiped away her tears and gently patted her sobbing daughter, a look of grim determination in her eyes.[]
Tomorrow, they would finally escape this hell.[]
She made arrangements for the nanny overnight, erased every trace of her existence from the house, and at dawn, with her daughter in her arms, she slipped into the pre–booked cab.[]
“To the airport, please.”
“You got it,” the driver replied cheerily.]
Sophie dialed her contact. “Sorry to keep you waiting. We’re on our way.“]
The voice on the other end was as warm as a spring thaw. “No rush. Be safe on the road.”
Just as a wave of warmth spread through her chest, a sharp, cloying smell of ether hit her nose.
She jerked her head up. In the rearview mirror, the driver’s eyes were dark and venomous, fixed on the baby in her arms.[]
Before darkness consumed her, Sophie used her last ounce of strength to pull Dawn tighter into her embrace.]]
When she opened her eyes again, the car was parked outside an abandoned factory in the middle of nowhere.]
In a lot overgrown with weeds, Matthew stood with his back to her, on the phone. In his arms, he held Dawn.[]
The tiny baby was swaddled in his suit jacket, her face scrunched up
“She’s here. Proceed as planned.“]
He hung up and turned. Seeing Sophile awake, his frown deepened. “You’re awake? Good. Saves me having to explain.“[]
Sophie’s wrists were raw and red from coarse rope burns. She struggled to sit up. “Matthew, what the hell are you doing? Give
me back my daughter!”
“Joseph’s been kidnapped.“]]
Matthew’s voice was devoid of any warmth. “The kidnappers demanded my flesh and blood. They made a mistake… they thought Joseph was my only child.“[]
“So you’re going to trade Dawn for him?”
Sophie’s voice rose to a shriek, blood pounding in her ears. “She’s only a month old! She has a congenital clotting disorder! A single mosquito bite could be fatal! Are you insane?!”
“It’s the only way,” Matthew said, avoiding her gaze. “The kidnappers said they have to see the child before they’ll release him. Joseph is six years old. He’ll remember this. An experience like this could ruin his entire life.“]
“And what about Dawn?!“]
Sophie lunged for the baby, but Matthew sidestepped her.[]
“She’s too young. She won’t remember a thing.”
His tone was unnervingly calm.]
Just then, Monica ran over, her hair a mess, her makeup streaked with tears. “Matthew! The kidnappers called again! They said if they don’t see the baby soon… they’ll kill him!“[]
She saw Sophie on the ground and suddenly fell to her knees, banging her head on the dirt.
“Ms. Harris, I’m begging you! Just this once! Let Dawn take his place! We’ll get Joseph back, and I’ll be your slave for the rest of my life!”
“Get off me!” Sophie kicked her away, her eyes blazing: “You’re the one who couldn’t watch your own kid! Why should my daughter pay for your mistake with her life?!“]
“Sophie, please, I’m begging you.” Matthew suddenly crouched down, his voice softening. “Joseph is innocent. After we get him back, I swear I’ll find a way to rescue our daughter. We… we can go back to how things were, okay?”
Sophie looked at his hypocritical face and started to laugh, but the laughter turned into sobs.
“Go back to how things were? Trade my daughter’s life for your bastard’s, and then live happily ever after with you, her executioner?”
“Matthew, what do you take me for?“]
From inside the warehouse, Joseph’s terrified cry echoed: “Daddy! I’m scared“]
Matthew’s face hardened. He clutched Dawn tighter and started walking toward the warehouse.
Sophie scrambled forward like a wild animal, her bound hands grabbing his leg. “Matthew! You dare touch her! If someone has to go, you go! You’re his father, you trade yourself for him!”
“Stop this nonsensel” Matthew kicked her away impatiently. “Joseph is a boy! He’s the sole heir to the Wilson family! Nothing can happen to him!”
“And Dawn isn’t your daughter?!“]
Sophie’s fingernails dug into his trousers, her voice raw. “She’s your flesh and blood too! How can y
Matthew paused, glancing back at her red–rimmed eyes. His Adam’s apple bobbed.
“I’m sorry.”
But in the next instant, a needle pierced her neck.
“It’s just a mild sedative. When you wake up, I promise… our daughter will be completely unharmed.”
With that, he turned and walked, step by step, towards the warehouse.
be so cruel?!“]
Sophie watched him walk away with her daughter in his arms, wanting to stop him but unable to even lift a finger.]
The drug took hold, her vision blurring to black
In a
daze,
she s
saw Matthew’s figure disappear into the shadows of the warehouse, and from his arms, she heard her daughter let out a faint, terrified cry…]
C
