“M–Mommy?” Brandon’s voice cracked with emotion as he stared in disbelief at Rachael, who was sitting up in her hospital bed, a weak but warm smile gracing her lips.“I’ll take my leave,” the nurse said softly, sensing the emotion in the room. She quietly exited, giving them privacy.Though Rachael looked pale and fragile, her eyes sparkled with joy. “Mommy!” Brandon cried and immediately ran to her, throwing himself into her arms. He sobbed into her chest, his small hands clutching her gown.“I missed you so much, honey,” Rachael whispered, her voice trembling as she held him tightly, trying to fight back her own tears.The days she’d spent in captivity with Fred had been the darkest of her life. The fear, the helplessness, the constant dread, it had nearly broken her. But this moment: this simple, pure embrace with her son was worth surviving for. Her heart felt whole again.“Promise me, Mom,” Brandon said, hiccupping between tears. “Promise me you’ll never leave me again.”Rachael
Jessica almost staggered back but quickly held the wall for support. She had been expecting to find clues about her mother's mysterious death—but this... this was a far bigger revelation than she could’ve imagined.A trafficking organization? How long had this been going on? Just how many women had fallen victim to her father's schemes?Her mind was still in total disarray when their conversation pulled her out of her chain of thoughts."It's of no use, Leon. They won't speak a word even if you had them at gunpoint, so let's resort to Plan B," Stephen said as he picked up the remote and turned on the flat-screen TV.Eight different CCTV footages of various people were displayed on the screen.Jessica could feel the air in the room tense up immediately."I'm sure each one of you can recognize a family member enjoying the party outside. Now, look closely... Do you see something?" Leon smirked.Jessica squinted at the screen along with the other men. Her eyes widened when she noticed it.
The venue was grand and luxurious. A red carpet stretched across the entrance, crowded with reporters and flashing cameras. Celebrities, CEOs, and other influential figures made their entrance, each clad in elegant attire. Though masked, many were still easily recognizable.A sleek black car pulled up at the curb. One of the bodyguards stepped forward and opened the door. The camera lights intensified the moment William stepped out. His blonde hair was neatly styled, adding to the princely charm he naturally exuded.He extended his hand, and Jessica stepped out gracefully, looking nothing short of breathtaking."Mr. Newman!""A word, please?""Mrs. Newman, is it true you're working on a new film?"Reporters bombarded them with questions, but Jessica simply offered a polite smile and waved before the couple made their way into the venue hall.Inside, soft and elegant music played in the background as the guests mingled and conversed.“Mr. Newman, it’s so nice to see you,” Stephen greet
“Doctor,” he said hoarsely, “how is she?”The doctor pulled down his nose mask before looking at Alexis with a serious expression."Mr. Alexis, I'm afraid she's in a critical condition. She lost a lot of blood, has some internal injuries, and there's also a wound on her stomach that wasn’t properly treated and is now infected. Rest assured, my team will do our very best to save her," he said.Alexis staggered back before slumping into his seat, a defeated look on his face."It's all my fault," he muttered under his breath.If only he had done something when Rachael panicked about Fred monitoring her—maybe all of this wouldn’t have happened.He clenched his fists tightly, his jaw tightening. Death was too sweet an escape for Fred. He wished Fred had survived so he could make him feel twice what Rachael had endured."William!" The two men looked up immediately to see Jessica rushing toward them with Brandon."Dad!" Brandon ran into Alexis’s arms."Champ," Alexis smiled faintly."How is
Rachael's heart pounded violently in her chest, each step a battle against her failing strength. Her breath came in ragged gasps, vision blurring as pain clawed up from the gash in her abdomen. But she couldn’t stop. Not now. Alexis and Brandon were waiting. She had to escape before Fred discovered Sandra’s lifeless body.The mansion was eerily quiet. Fred had no guards—just himself, Rachael, and the woman who now lay dead. Her blood stained the floor; Rachael’s hands trembled with the weight of it.She pressed her palm harder against her bleeding side, staggering through the long marble hallways. Her eyes darted across every corridor, every door, seeking salvation. Fred had kept her locked away like a secret, never allowing her to explore. Now the mansion felt like a maze, cold and unfamiliar.After minutes of desperate wandering, she found the staircase and dragged herself upward, each step sheer agony. The rooftop beckoned. From there, maybe—just maybe—someone would see her.The do
"Hello? Hello! Rachael!" Alexis said on the call but nothing.He quickly hung up and went to his inbox. "Was that Rachael? What happened?" Jessica asked. She was about to state her plan when a call came and interrupted her and from the look on Alexis face, she knew who it was."That's my girl," Alexis smirked when he saw the sketching Rachael sent him.."It's Rachael. She dropped a hint on where we could find her. However we need to act fast before Fred out smarts us," he said."I'll call back the FBI," William said."I'll go get the car ready," Alexis said."Jessica, can you stay and keep an eye on my son?" Alexis said."Your son?" Jessica furrowed her brows. Her eyes widened in realization."Oh... Yes, sure," she muttered."Thanks," he said and left. William cupped her cheek then pressed his lips against hers, "I'll be back," he said."Stay safe," Jessica said.William smiled and kissed her forehead before leaving.___A resounding slap echoed in the air and Rachael fell down to h
The sound of the tap rushing could be heard as Fred washed his hand. Rachael sat up weakly on the bed. A different look flashed in her eyes, something undecipherable. She grabbed a glass vase nearby and on a whim, shattered the vase against the wall.The sound of the broken glass immediately pulled Fred out of the bathroom. His eyes widened when he saw her holding a piece of the broken glass."What are you doing?" He muttered under his breath."I'm tired. I'm done playing this game. I can't," she muttered in tears, bringing the piece of glass to her neck."Rachael, please calm down. Don't do anything you would regret. Rachael," Fred tried to coerce her."I pray you rot in hell," she muttered and immediately brought down the glass, stabbing herself on the tummy."Rachael!" Fred screamed out.Rachael's eyes went wide as blood gushed out of the wound on her tummy. She collapsed to the bed."Rachael!" Fred rushed to her and immediately uncuffed her hand from the headboard.He cupped her
Jessica and William were sitting in the living room when a maid escorted Alexis in. William stood up the moment he walked in."I'll place him in the guest room so he can sleep," the maid said, referring to Brandon, who was fast asleep in Alexis's arms.She took Brandon and left."Bro, it's literally midnight. Why would you—""Rachael has been abducted," Alexis cut him off."What?" Jessica muttered in shock, slowly rising to her feet.Alexis ran a hand through his hair, pacing anxiously, panic etched across his face. The more time passed, the more terrified he became."It all happened in a flash. We were at a restaurant, and she excused herself to use the restroom... then she just disappeared. I tracked her phone and found it in a trash bin near the restaurant—along with all her belongings," Alexis muttered as he paced."I think… no, I know her ex-husband kidnapped her. I should have done something when she complained about being attacked by him. This is all my fault," Alexis breathed
"I hate you," Rachael muttered tearfully. "You're disgusting!" she screamed in anger."Disgusting? I wasn't the one who cheated on their spouse with the father of her child, then had that person threaten her spouse at gunpoint for a divorce," Fred said.Rachael just continued sobbing in silence.Fred stood up and walked toward her, sitting down in the space next to her."Just give in. There's no hope now," he said, rubbing his thumb against her teary cheek."If I accept, do you promise not to go after them?" she said, finally looking up at him."You have my word, love."Rachael looked away and nodded ever so slightly. Fred smiled in victory."That's my wife. My sweet, docile wife," he said, patting her hair gently.Rachael folded her fists tightly beneath the sheets as he patted her hair._____"Pregnant?" Louis muttered under his breath.Amara wiped her tears. "I wanted to surprise you. But you never listened to me... you never had time for me," she said quietly."Amara..." Louis mut