Chapter 14
As they waited, Sharon and the man who had taken her hostage began to talk about family, about children, about marriage.
He told her he used to have a good life. A gentle wife, a clever daughter. A home filled with warmth. He’d only wanted to give them something better. So he took a risk–invested in a project that promised a good return–and ended up losing everything. Swindled, broken, ruined.
we debt, I’ll still end up behind bars. But I don’t want my family to be chased by
“I know,” he said miserably, “even if 11 creditors. They deserve a quiet life.”
His words left a strange feeling in her heart.
Outside, the police shouted, negotiators tryi calmer. His hands had stopped shaking.
to keep things from slipping out of control. But the man, once on edge, was now
“So, rich people’s lives aren’t so great either,” he said with a bitter laugh. “If it hadn’t been me today, you’d probably be dead by now. I lost money. You, on the other hand, might’ve lost your life.“”
He glanced at his watch. Too much time had passed. Whis eyes returned to her, there was something different there. A
flicker of sympathy.
“Thanks for talking with me,” he said. “You know, maybe I’m not the unluckiest one here. Go ahead. You can leave.”
He moved as if to let her go. But the police, watching everything, misunderstood his gesture.
Gunfire tore through the air.
He crumpled instantly.
Warm blood splashed across her face.
Her mind went blank.
She had never seen death like that. Never seen life snuffed out right in front of her.
The moment he hit the ground, officers and paramedics rushed in. They helped her out, brought her to safety.
And Carter never called her back.
She ended up in the hospital for checkups. It was there, in the hallway, she ran into Kelly–fresh out of surgery.
Only then did Carter remember her call. “You called me earlier,” he said. “Said you were kidnapped?”
Nate scoffed nearby, voice dripping with mockery. “Oh please. If she was kidnapped, why is she standing here without a scratch on her? Must’ve been a stunt. Just trying to get your attention. Look at her, Carter. Not even a bruise. What a lousy performance!”
Kelly, pale but conscious, added softly, “Sharon, if you find it such hassle to bring me the medicinal soup, then don’t. But please… don’t joke like that again.”
Between the two of them, they made it sound like she had staged the whole thing. Like the kidnapping never happened. Like she had made it all up to steal Carter’s attention.
But he could’ve known the truth. It wouldn’t have taken much. A quick check, a phone call, a glance at a report.
He didn’t bother.
All his attention was still on Kelly. It was as if Sharon’s life, her pain, her fear,
never existed.
Something inside her began to wither then. Quietly. Irreversibly.
Even now, he still thought that call–those few desperate words were nothing but another of her games.
Chapter 14
+25 E
Sharon looked at him, her face devoid of emotion. “If you think I’m playing around,” she said, “then let’s meet at the courthouse tomorrow morning. Nine o’clock.”
She’d brought up divorce too many times. It had long since worn down Carter’s patience.
“I don’t have time for your nonsense,” he replied coldly. “And I hate women who throw the word ‘divorce‘ around like a weapon. You’ve picked fights with Kelly again and again, and I’ve let it go. But enough is enough.”
Sharon stared at his face and let out a laugh.
“If you don’t want me bothering your precious little sweetheart,” she said slowly, “then sign the papers. Otherwise…”
Her red lips curved slightly. “As long as you refuse, I’ll make sure Kelly never knows peace.”
A flicker of annoyance passed through Carter’s eyes. His gaze on her had shifted. He no longer saw her as a person—just a nuisance, a loud and irrational woman.
Chapter 15
+25 BONUS
