Chapter 1

Right as Winnie Steinman finished speaking, my mother flew into a rage. "Why should we wait? Are you asking the bomb to wait for you?"

Winnie became even more displeased. "Mom, Calvin is a businessman, but you're the head of the forensic investigation team. The kidnapper wants to see me, so the bomb won't explode until I go. Waiting a little longer doesn't make a difference."

Several police officers also heard that. They tried to persuade her, but Heath Jackson exclaimed at the same time.

"Ms. Steinman, we have confirmed that the bomb is real..."

"Winnie, someone is outside! Is the burglar back again?"

The phone connection was cut off.

The police looked at each other in disbelief, then they all turned to look at the tablet. In the live video sent by the kidnapper, my daughter, Isla Horton, had cried herself to exhaustion.

When she saw me looking, she pouted aggrievedly. "Dad, why isn't Mom here to save me yet?"

It felt as though a blunt object had slammed into my chest. I tilted my head back, trembling.

The kidnapper had sent his location. He and Isla were currently on the top floor of this abandoned mall.

My in-laws, Henry Steinman and Gloria Simpson, jogged over. Seeing the look on our faces, they panicked too.

"Is Winnie not here yet?"

I lowered my head to think of a plan, while my mother gritted her teeth in anger. "What is Winnie thinking? Her own daughter is about to be blown up, yet she's still keeping Heath company!"

Henry's face turned livid. He was about to call Winnie himself.

Gloria gasped in shock, her eyes welling up. "It's Heath again. I told you all along he was no good!"

Everyone looked at Henry anxiously, but the call was disconnected.

After Henry muttered a few curses, my phone buzzed.

Winnie had sent a voice message. "Calvin, the police here say we're just two intersections away. I'll be there in a bit. Stop calling me, and stop putting my parents up to call me too."

I pressed the button to record a voice message.

I was trying my best to stay calm, but my voice still trembled violently as I spoke. "Winnie, Isla's life is in your hands. We have nine minutes left. I beg you to come and save Isla."

Barely seconds after I sent the message, Winnie replied, but it was Heath's choked sobs. "I'm sorry, Calvin... It's all my fault. I'm just not feeling well..."

I could hear Winnie trying to comfort him at the end. "You have a heart condition, so you can't handle the shock. It's not your fault. Don't be afraid. I'm right here with you."

My vision went black.

That same line again—that he could not handle shock.

That was why she had to leave in her wedding gown to find his heart medication halfway through our wedding.

That was why she abandoned me to help him deal with a minor car accident when I was looking after Isla.

Now, with our daughter's life hanging in the balance, she was making us wait—all for the sake of her first love!

Henry and Gloria were so furious they were speechless.

My mother placed a steadying hand on my back and said in a deep voice, "Don't panic. The city's SWAT team has been deployed. If Winnie doesn't make it in time, we'll make a forced entry."

A police officer raised a hand in objection. "We can't. The kidnapper has installed sensors at multiple points. If anyone tries to force their way in, the bomb strapped to the child will detonate instantly."