Chapter 4 - One Billion for a Worthless Wife

Nyelle

"You're finally awake." The deep male voice pulled me from the darkness, and I opened my eyes to a room that swayed in and out of focus beneath the weak glow of a single bulb. My head throbbed as I tried to move, only for rough rope to burn against my wrists behind my back. When I looked down, I found my ankles tied to the legs of the chair.

I pulled against the ropes, but they didn't budge.

At this point, perhaps the universe had decided the cancer wasn't killing me fast enough.

The man was dressed entirely in black, his face hidden behind a mask, and when he started toward me, I instinctively tried to push myself backward. The chair scraped across the floor instead.

"Relax," he said. "I'm going to call your husband and tell him you've been kidnapped."

My stomach tightened at the word husband.

Vincent. A few hours ago, I would have believed he would come for me. Even after everything he had said tonight, there was still a part of me stupid enough to hope that hearing I was in danger might finally make him realize what I meant to him.

The masked man pulled out his phone and dialed Vincent's number.

The first call went unanswered, so did the second and the third. Vincent finally picked up on the fourth.

The man placed the phone on speaker. "Your wife has been captured by me."

There was a short silence, but he finally responded. "Okay."

My fingers tightened against the ropes.

The masked man seemed to pause as well before continuing. "If you want her back alive, you'll need to pay one billion."

"I know this is some scam."

The man switched the call to video. Vincent appeared on the screen, sweating, and shirtless, with Cassia beside him beneath the bedsheets naked. Her hair was disheveled, and she was pressed against his chest, the sight making my stomach twist.

"You think I'd pay that amount of money for her?" Vincent scoffed. "Are you serious right now? Do whatever you want with her. I'm not paying a dime. Stop wasting my time."

Cassia laughed softly beside him and kissed his jaw, and he kissed her back.

"Baby, come on. Let's go for another round." She said softly, while she climbed on top of him and started riding his dick, his hands on her butt cheek.

I looked away before the tears gathering in my eyes could fall.

The masked man lowered the phone and ended the call. "Are you sure that man is really your husband?"

I didn't answer.

"He just gave me permission to do whatever I want with you."

He stepped closer, and when his hand reached for my face, I lunged forward and bit down hard.

"Shit!"

The slap sent me and the chair crashing onto the floor. Pain burst across my cheek, leaving my ears ringing as I struggled against the ropes.

"You crazy woman," he snapped. "Your husband said I can do whatever I want with you. Maybe I should sell you instead. At least you'd finally be useful."

Sell me? When he bent down to drag the chair upright, I grabbed his leg.

"What now?"

I lifted my bound hands and began signing.

[I can give you something better. ]

He stopped, too my surprise, he understood. "What do you mean?"

[Something you'd like.]

"And what exactly would I like?"

I held his gaze and signed the next words carefully. [I know you're the one blackmailing Vincent.]

The man went quiet. For the past year, Vincent had been receiving anonymous threats, demands for money, and information that should never have reached anyone outside his company. He had always been careful whenever those calls came in, lowering his voice and making sure no one was around, but I had noticed enough to know whoever was behind them had access to something Vincent was desperate to keep hidden.

The man crouched in front of me. "And how do you know that?"

I stared back at him. Unlike Vincent, I paid attention to the people around me.

"So what exactly are you offering me to let you go?"

I signed one word. [Money.]

He laughed. "I like that answer."

After we made our deal, he removed the ropes and let me leave.

By the time I reached home, exhaustion was beginning to settle into my bones, but I had barely stepped through the door when Cassia's voice echoed through the house.

"Ahh... Vincent..."

The bed slammed against the wall upstairs.

My hand tightened around my car keys.

Seriously?

I had spent the night tied to a chair, been slapped across the face, and nearly sold to God knew who, while my husband was upstairs having sex with another woman.

Anger rose so quickly that I turned around before I could change my mind. I walked straight back outside, got into my car, and drove to the abandoned warehouse.

The masked man was still there when I entered. "You again?"

I raised my hands and signed quickly. [I need the phone you've been using to blackmail my husband.]

He watched me. "Why do you need a burner phone, when you're mute?"

My hands stopped moving. He stepped closer.

"Unless..." His voice lowered. "You can actually talk, and you've been pretending this whole time?"