CHAPTER 3

It was a shrill sound.

The ringing in my head.

I tried to imagine what was going on, but one thing was sure.

My hands were tied, and I was not alone.

“To think we got both of them.” It was an unfamiliar voice, and suddenly it drew closer.

“I know you are awake, would cutting off your fingers make you open up your eyes?” 

I inhaled sharply, and my eyes took in everything in front of me.

“You are making a big mistake.” I said through gritted teeth, “You don't know who I am!” 

But to my surprise, it turned out that they did.

A man stepped in front of me, his lips covered with bushy beards.

“We have arranged everything, you don't have to worry. None of your family would be disturbed.” 

I bit down on my lips.

These people knew my family.

“Do you want money? I'd get you as much as you need!” I said, desperation creeping into my chest.

I couldn't lose my child, not now, not ever.

Before I could say something else, another lady's cries flowed into my ears.

“Miranda?” Her name left my mouth, the moment I laid eyes on her.

She was blindfolded and her mouth was gagged.

“What's going on? Why are you doing this?” My heart shattered. If they had someone else here, they were definitely not looking for money.

“Your husband. Leon Fitzgerald. Offending the wrong people comes with a crime.” The man said, and instantly brought a gun.

“I'm no longer with him—” I said, then turned to Miranda.

Everything in me wanted to point it at her.

She was the one Leon loved.

But I didn't want the blood of someone else on my hands.

Shaking my head, I looked up, “He doesn't care about me,” tears pooled in my ears, “You won't gain much from him.”

Bang! 

A gunshot rang in the air, deafening my ears and the tears freely flowed. The sound was accompanied by Miranda's screaming.

“Fooling us is a stupid act. We are calling your husband.” He spat, followed by the murmuring of the other gang members.

I could do nothing else but wait.

Despite my words, a large part of my heart hoped Leon still loved me, enough to save my life.

“Mr. Leon Fitzgerald. We have your loved ones.”

The phone's speaker was placed on the loudest.

“What are you saying? Who the heck are you?” The familiarity of his voice sent a tug through my heart.

“Miranda Rosette and Diana Amsterdam.”

There was a pause and I shut my eyes tightly.

‘Please Leon, save us–’

“What do you want?” Leon's voice was calm now, like he had weighed the gravity of the situation.

“Ten million dollars. Five million dollars for each of them. Just the exact amount you stole.”

Leon stole? 

I didn't know about this.

But there was hope in my heart. If the money was stolen, then it would be a lot easier to return.

Leon's voice came out from the phone. “Five million dollars. For Miranda Rosette.”

The world stopped.

I had gone deaf.

No—

I couldn't believe what I had just heard.

My mouth opened before I could think.

“Leon, I'm pregnant with your child.” I yelled out with my strength.

“Diana, I don't have enough for you. It's too risky.”

Risky?

What was he saying?

“Leon…” Miranda's raspy voice came out. Someone had ungagged her.

The bearded bandit smirked, “You know what? Ten million dollars for Miranda Rosette.”

He said.

“But that's not the plan.” I said again.

What kind of game was this?

Leon didn't have such amount of money or—

“Send the bank account details. Once I have transferred it, she will be released, right?” Leon spoke out.

“Leon?” My voice was almost a whisper.

Did he hate me so much?

I looked down at my stomach and nausea filled me.

What was this feeling?

“We are going to kill Diana Amsterdam.” The bandit said, interrupting my thoughts.

I would die? And my family would have no knowledge of me?

Tears rushed down.

“Miranda. Please talk to Leon. He can't let me die.” I turned to the only person who could convince him.

She was my last hope.

“I promise I'd let him be. I won't disturb any of you anymore. I'd disappear from your life.” 

But to my surprise, she simply stared at me.

It was an empty gaze, something you'd give a toy you could no longer use. I could sense no feelings from her at all.

Then she made a sign to the bandit, touching her ear.

What was going on?

“It's muted, Boss.” The bandit said.

I swallowed, “Boss?” My throat was parched and strands of hair stuck to my face.

“You think you could trap my husband with a filthy child?” Miranda said, rising to her feet.

“I didn't…”

“Shut up! You stupid bitch. Leon is mine! And he'd only be mine.” Her high pitched yells made me shut my ears.

“I'm going to get rid of that thing. You are not going to attach your peasant self to my husband.” Miranda said, and stretched her hand.

The bandit close to her, handed her a stick.

I shifted back, my back hitting the wall.

“No one would know, Miranda. Please…” Fear tore through me, when I realised her plan.

Leon's voice sounded from the phone. “Don't hurt my wife. I'd send the money for Miranda, even if you want more money, let me know.”

Miranda chuckled, “You hear that? He's mine and mine alone.”

“I'm not a fool, Diana. Peasants like you would always find a way to come back, so you can drain us, threatening to ruin our image with that bastard.”

Miranda raised her hand,

 “I'm not going to give you any chance!”

The stick came down before I could react.

Pain shot through my head, and the room blurred.

Blood pooled around my cheek, and tears burned my face.

“Please…” I reached out for nothing in particular.

However, my pleas fell on deaf ears.

Hit by hit, the stick came down on my stomach.

Pain filled every nerve cell in my body and I could feel my muscle spasm.

“Mom…” My sobs came out, broken and wrecked.

I felt a thick wetness between my legs.

My child…

I was losing her— And there was nothing I could do.

“I'm sorry…” The words left my lips and the world went dark.