LOGINAmber POV The Secretary of Defense had publicly accused the president of shooting him. And thousands upon thousands of people had heard it. Christian thanked him before turning back toward me. "Amber, is there anything you'd like to say before we end?" I looked into the camera. There were so many things I wanted to say. I wanted to demand that the president be arrested. I wanted to tell him exactly what I thought of a man who threatened children. I wanted to promise that I would personally make sure he paid for every moment of fear he'd caused my family. Instead, I took a breath. "I just want my family to be safe." My voice trembled. "I want my children to be able to sleep in their own beds without worrying that armed soldiers will appear outside their windows." I wiped away another tear. "And I want someone to explain why any of this was necessary." Christian nodded solemnly. "Thank you, Amber." The broadcast ended. I remained seated for several seconds, staring at
Amber POV Twelve minutes later, Christian sent me a link. The live broadcast was ready. I checked the camera one final time, then accepted the invitation. Christian appeared on the screen, seated in what looked like his office. "Amber, thank you for joining us." His tone was professional, but I could see the concern in his eyes. I nodded. "Thank you for speaking with me." The viewer count began climbing. Hundreds. Thousands. Then tens of thousands. Christian looked directly into the camera. "Good evening. Earlier today, footage began circulating online showing military personnel surrounding a private residence belonging to the Sun family. The video was recorded by a seventeen-year-old girl who was inside the property at the time." He paused. "With us now is Amber Asher, whose husband and children were reportedly at the residence." I lowered my gaze briefly. That part wasn't difficult. Just thinking about my children was enough to make my throat tighten. "Amber," Ch
Amber POVI needed to buy more time.Jason and the children were still making their way toward the boat, and until they were safely outside Sum Country's jurisdiction, I couldn't afford to let the soldiers realize that the castle was empty.I stared at Christian's last message.He asked me to help expose the president.An idea began forming.It was risky. Possibly reckless.But if the president was already planning to accuse me of terrorism, there was no reason to wait quietly for him to make the first move.Besides, I had something he didn't.A very convincing reason to appear terrified."Emory?"He looked up from the monitor."What now?""I need a room."He frowned."You have a room.""No. I need a small, empty room. Preferably one that looks like a cheap motel. Plain walls, ordinary furniture, nothing that suggests I'm inside a military facility."He stared at me."Why?""I'm going to make a public appearance.""Amber, that's probably the worst thing you could do right now.""Not n
Amber POV My phone vibrated again. Another message from Jason. The secretary warned me that military personnel were being sent after us. I swallowed. Did you tell him they're already outside the castle? Yes. Did you tell him we're out? No. I smiled despite myself. My husband. Always thinking ahead. Good. Jason continued. He doesn't know how many officers are still obeying the president. Some commanders have refused his orders, but others are following them without questioning their legality. I showed Emory the message. He read it carefully. "That's what I was afraid of." "What?" "If the military is divided, the president could try to consolidate control before anyone organizes an effective response." I considered that. "And if he succeeds?" "Then the situation becomes much more dangerous." I looked at the monitors again. One of the soldiers was standing near the main gate, looking toward the castle. I turned on the lights in the western hallway. He appeared t
Amber POV The soldiers were still surrounding the castle. They had been there for more than half an hour, and as far as I could tell, they had accomplished absolutely nothing. No demands, no attempts to enter, not even a polite knock at the gate. I supposed that when you arrived with an entire military unit, knocking was considered optional. I looked down at Jason's message again. We're out. Everyone is safe. Those words had brought me more relief than I could describe. For several minutes after receiving them, I had been able to breathe normally again. But relief was not the same as peace. My family had escaped the castle, yet they were still in Sum Country, making their way toward a boat that would hopefully take them beyond the president's reach. Until they crossed that border, I wouldn't feel safe. I wanted to call Jason. I wanted to hear Alice's voice, ask Alex whether he was behaving himself, and make sure Rose was managing with the twins. More than anything, I wanted
Amber POV I stared at the wall. Then I laughed. Not because it was funny. Because the accusation was so absurd that I genuinely didn't know how else to react. "Terrorism?" "Yes." "Me?" "Unfortunately." I rubbed my forehead. "Christian, I've spent the last several hours trying not to get murdered. When exactly was I supposed to find the time to become a terrorist?" "I imagine the president isn't particularly concerned with the details." "Clearly." Christian sighed. "The situation is more serious than you realize. According to my sources, the president has been issuing orders directly to military units, bypassing the usual channels. Some officers are cooperating with him." My amusement vanished. "Christian, there are soldiers surrounding my family's castle." Silence. "What?" "Military vehicles. Armed personnel. They've blocked the roads, and nobody has contacted Jason to explain why they're there." "Are you certain?" "My daughter just recorded them." I could hear m
I didn’t cry. I didn’t shake. I didn’t look back, or mourned the life and the years i will never get back, lost forever. I just went home, time to pack and say goodbye to my old life. The penthouse doors opened with biometric recognition the moment I stepped inside. Floor-to-ceiling glass. Marb
We moved quickly through the hallway. Adrian walked behind me, gun raised, covering the corridor while I forced Henry Watson forward. The mansion was quieter than expected. Too quiet. Which meant either the guards were regrouping… or Jason was already on his way. I glanced over my shoulder.
Jason POV Marcus nearly slammed the brakes. “She shot the camera!” I leaned back slowly. Marcus looked at me. “What the hell was that?” I ran a hand over my face. “She said hello husband before she shot it.” Marcus stared. “…Okay.” Silence filled the car. “…What does that mean exactly?”
Family drama. Honestly, I was getting tired of it. I shifted slightly in the chair, letting the ropes around my wrists rub just enough to make the guards think I was uncomfortable. In truth, they had tied them loosely—political kidnappers rarely knew how to do proper restraints. Across from me,







