Chapter 7

When Evelyn opened her eyes again, she was in an old, rundown warehouse. The rope dug into her wrists and ankles, tight enough to make them ache.

Across from her, Zoe sat with her legs crossed, casually fussing with her manicure. When she noticed Evelyn was awake, Zoe smiled and said, "You're finally awake, Evelyn."

Evelyn's nerves tightened. Confusion and disbelief swirled through her. "Zoe, what are you doing?"

She didn't have much time left. Her life was already measured in weeks. She wasn't a threat to Zoe at all.

Daniel and Noah had turned away from her long ago. She just needed to endure one more day. Tomorrow, she would disappear to a place no one could reach. Why would Zoe bother kidnapping her now?

Zoe smiled brighter. "Aren't you curious? If both of us are in danger, who would Daniel and Noah choose to save? Want to bet on it?"

Before Evelyn could answer, one of the men stepped over and tapped a number on his phone.

As soon as the call connected, Zoe let out a fake sob. "Daniel, help me! Evelyn asked me to meet her, but we got kidnapped on the way! They want money! If they don't get it, they're going to hurt me! I'm scared!"

"Zoe?" Daniel froze for a second, then panic broke through his voice. "Where are you? Are you okay?"

The man holding the phone said, "Mr. Hayes, your wife and your lover are both in my hands. I only want five million in cash. Bring it today, and I'll send you the address. We trade in person. No cash, no deal."

"Fine! I'll bring the cash!" Daniel's voice shook. "I'll pay whatever you want! Just make sure Zoe is safe!"

The man laughed. "Relax. We keep our word. Give us the money, and no one gets hurt."

"Good." Daniel finally let out a breath. "What about Evelyn? Is she okay?"

Evelyn almost laughed. Only now did he remember she existed. If she had been the only one kidnapped, he probably wouldn't even have believed the call.

"She's fine. Just have the money ready, Mr. Hayes."

After hanging up, the two kidnappers grabbed another rope and tied Zoe up as well.

It didn't take long for Daniel to call back.

The men each grabbed one of them, dragging them outside. Only then did Evelyn realize they were in the mountains. They walked down a rocky path until they reached a spot halfway up the slope.

Daniel and Noah stood there, both tense and nervous.

The moment Zoe saw them, her eyes filled with tears. "Daniel! Noah! Help me!"

Daniel and Noah lost their composure in an instant.

"Aunt Zoe!" Noah shouted.

"Zoe, don't be scared! I've come to save you!" Daniel said quickly.

Evelyn stood right beside Zoe, tied just as tightly. She was even worse off than Zoe. Her face was chalk white, her legs barely holding her upright. But neither of them spared her a look.

Evelyn slowly closed her eyes. It wasn't that crying worked. It was that they had already decided who they cared about.

Daniel tossed a suitcase at the kidnappers' feet. "Five million! Not a penny less! Let Zoe and Evelyn go!"

One of the men crouched down, flipped open the case, and let out a laugh at the rows of neatly stacked cash.

"Five million? Five million only buys you one person, Mr. Hayes!"

Daniel's expression shifted. "You told me five million! Now, you're changing the terms?"

"You misunderstood. I never said five million would cover both. It's five million each! Of course, if you bring another five million tomorrow, you can take them both. But right now, you get to choose one."

Silence dropped like a stone. Daniel's jaw clenched, and his gaze flicked to Evelyn instinctively.

Noah gripped Daniel's sleeve, equally stunned.

Then, Zoe suddenly screamed and dropped to her knees.

"It hurts!" She gasped for air, tears spilling over. She clutched her stomach like she'd been gutted.

A moment later, she shook her head, sobbing. "Take Evelyn! Just take her! I already have cancer! I'm a burden! I could die any time! Just let me die!"

"No way!" Daniel snapped.

"Don't say that, Aunt Zoe! You're not a burden! The burden is... someone else!" Noah shouted.

As the last words left his mouth, Evelyn felt her heart split apart.