Chapter 3

The kidnapper raised an eyebrow.

"Your father doesn't want you. Your mother doesn't want you. Who else is left to call? Just give up already."

When Frank tied me up and tried to sell me off, he'd said the same thing. "Stop fighting. This is your fate."

I didn't accept it then.

I bit that man and ran.

Ran all the way to the end of that dirt road.

That's where I found my father.

He'd come looking for his missing daughter.

I'd changed my fate once before.

The restraints had sliced deep into my wrists, but I barely felt it.

I just stared at the kidnapper, too stubborn to give up.

"I want a third chance."

The third call was to Tristan.

Luca's father.

"Tristan, I'm going to die. Please come get Luca. He's three. He misses you."

Tristan sighed.

"What now? I'm busy. I don't have time for your games. This month's child support went through on time. Take the money and behave. Stop bothering me."

At his voice, Luca suddenly broke free from the kidnapper and cried out for his dad.

Tristan went silent.

His breathing turned heavy.

For one second, I thought he cared.

My eyes burned. I opened my mouth.

But his cold voice cut in.

"I already told you, Estelle. Behave. I won't short you a single cent of child support, but if you try to turn my son against me, I won't forgive you."

Vera's voice floated through the phone, sweet and playful.

"Tristan, cake time! Hurry up!"

Tristan chuckled.

"I'll bring you and the kid home for dinner next week."

Then he hung up.

My third chance was gone.

I screamed and lunged for the phone, desperate to make one more call.

Just before I could reach it, the kidnapper kicked it away.

Then he grabbed Luca by one leg and dragged him in front of me.

A cruel smile spread across his face.

"See? I told you to stop fighting. You wouldn't listen. Believe me now?"

Luca threw himself into my arms, sobbing.

His little face was red from crying.

"Mommy... Luca's scared... Mommy..."

I pressed my cheek against his tangled hair.

Tears wouldn't stop falling.

"Don't be scared, Luca. Mommy's here. Mommy will protect you."

The kidnapper let out a laugh. "You?"

I sniffed and looked straight at him.

My gaze didn't waver.

"Give me one more chance. If it still doesn't work... I'll stop fighting."

His smile disappeared.

"Fine. One last chance.

"This time I'll make it easy. If anyone in your family answers, I'll let you and the kid go.

"But if nobody answers, I'll kill you, cut your son into three pieces, and mail them to your parents."

"Deal."

***

The fourth call was to Mom.

The phone rang seven times.

No answer.

The kidnapper smirked. "See? I—"

"Hello?"

The call connected.

But it wasn't Mom.

"Who's calling? Mrs. Emerson is celebrating Miss Emerson's birthday and can't come to the phone. Is this urgent?"

Beatrice.

The housekeeper.

I swallowed the blood in my mouth.

"It's Estelle..."

A pause.

Then an awkward sigh.

"Estelle, Mrs. Emerson said not to answer your calls today. Mr. Emerson said..." She hesitated. "Unless you're dead, don't bother him or Mrs. Emerson."

The kidnapper laughed.

I didn't.

"Please. Just hand them the phone. They don't have to do anything. They just have to answer. Please."

Maybe I sounded too desperate.

Beatrice sighed again, then carried the phone into the loud party.

"Mrs. Emerson, it's Estelle. She says you need to take this."

On the other end, Mom seemed to be dancing.

At Beatrice's words, her voice paused.