Chapter 4

“Don’t you think you can forget who your real dad is just because Jared raised you for a few years! If you don’t get on your dad’s good side, I won’t want you anymore!”

Aimee cried so hard that her voice went hoarse.

“He’s not my dad. Jared Fitz is my dad! My name is Aimee Fitz! Dad wouldn’t make me wash clothes. He wouldn’t!”

Before Aimee could say more, a maddened Kacey shoved her into the sea.

Seawater covered Aimee’s head, and I hurriedly rushed over.

Luckily, I was just in time, and Aimee had only swallowed a mouthful of water.

Kacey looked at me, pale-faced.

“W-Why are you back so soon?” She could not hide the guilt on her face.

I glared at Kacey.

“Is this what you meant when you said you’d take care of Aimee?”

Kacey’s face went red, but she did not know what to do.

“This was only… Aimee was being disobedient, so I was just disciplining her!”

After she found the right excuse, Kacey’s voice got bolder.

“What is it? Can’t I tell my own daughter off?”

Aimee was so frightened that she snuggled further into my embrace.

I shouted angrily, “Enough of this! I heard everything. Do you still think you can trick me?”

Kacey was taken aback and literally stumbled a few steps backward.

I carried Aimee and left after saying, “We’re better off splitting up!”

Not giving up, Kacey kept yelling after us, but neither I nor Aimee turned back.

Aimee was still sobbing in my hold.

“Dad, I don’t want Mom anymore. I don’t want her anymore…”

My heart broke for Aimee, who had gone through so much in a short two days.

I brought her elsewhere and set up camp there.

I had not only found water, but also food.

Besides, I set up some campfires to signal for SOS.

Hopefully, someone would find us soon.

By the time I finished doing all that and went back to the camp, I found Kacey and Saddler standing there.

Aimee was nowhere to be seen.

At that moment, I was terrified.

All of a sudden, Aimee’s shrieking sounded up.

“Mom, please let me out! I’m so scared! Please let me out! I’ll die!”

Saddler leaned by the entrance of our camp, ignoring Aimee’s cries, and yelled joyfully, “Didn’t you say you’re Jared Fitz’s daughter?! Well, let’s see if he can save you when you’re stuck in there with some venomous snakes!”

After he said that, Saddler burst into laughter. He was clearly evil.

Although Kacey seemed worried at Aimee’s cries, she did nothing to stop Saddler.

She even told Aimee off.

“This will teach you who your real dad is. I’ve told you many times, but you never listen! Since you’re so disobedient, we have no choice but to discipline you!”

Aimee’s cries became ever more pitiful, but Kacey and Saddler did not relent at all.

I was so angry that I was shaking.

I lunged forward and slapped Kacey with all my might. Saddler tried to hit me, but I whirled around and sent him flying with a kick.

He sprawled on the ground, groaning in pain.

“What are you doing, Jared?!” Kacey shouted in shock. She went and helped Saddler up without waiting for an answer.

My heart broke.

How could Kacey not feel any worry at all when her own daughter was trapped with venomous snakes? Meanwhile, she fawned over her lover when he had only been kicked.

I rushed to where Aimee was, praying hard that she was safe.

“Dad’s here, Aimee! Dad’s here!”

I barely dared to look at what kind of situation Aimee was in. I was terrified that I would find Aimee unmoving, only a corpse.

Breaking that instant of doubt was Aimee’s terrified cry, “Dad!”

I panted hard and followed her voice to find Aimee completely unharmed.

Before her was a dead snake, killed by a rock she held in her hand.

I held Aimee tightly to reassure her and promised her over and over, “I’m sorry, Aimee. I swear I’ll never let you get hurt again!”

I glared at Kacey and Saddler, swearing in my heart that I would make them pay.