All Chapters of Thanksgiving Countdown: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

By the time I reached the airport terminal, my legs were so weak I couldn't walk. Someone had to help me.My family thought I was shaken by the car crash we had passed on the way here.But I was the only one who knew the truth. My heart was filled with fear of the death waiting for us and growing suspicion toward my wife, Elodie Castillo.She had bought tickets for the same flight as us. So why would she survive while my parents and I died?The more I thought about it, the more suspicious I became while we were checking in."Madam, your passport has expired, so you can't board this flight."I had been watching Elodie the whole time. The moment I heard those words, I almost felt excited.We were traveling overseas. A month ago, I had reminded her to check her passport. I never expected it to expire at exactly this time.Elodie looked at me with guilt written all over her face."I'm so sorry, honey. My passport expired, so I can't go on this trip with you. Don't worry. Even though I can'

My family and I were taken to the airport security office. I was separated from the others and questioned alone."Mr. Castillo, security footage shows that you entered the restroom 23 minutes ago. When you came out, you were holding a small paring knife. Later, the knife disappeared. We believe you intentionally got rid of the evidence."We found the knife in an airport trash can. Tests confirmed that your DNA was on it. The shape of the blade also matches the fatal wound on Justin's body."The evidence is overwhelming. Do you have anything to say for yourself?"I wasn't about to confess to a crime I didn't commit."Sir, I've been framed. I did see Justin in the restroom. He tried to rob me, so I scared him off with the knife. After that, I never saw him again."The detective frowned and tapped the table."Mateo, if you refuse to admit your guilt, the court won't look kindly on that."You also bought tickets for an international flight, but then suddenly canceled your check-in. We stro

The moment people at the scene and those watching online heard my accusation, everything went silent for a second. Then the crowd exploded."He's about to be arrested for murder, and now he's trying to drag his own mother into it. That's disgusting!""Damn! A guy like that deserves the death penalty!"The instant Lilly heard me accuse her, she burst into tears.I stayed calm as I laid out the evidence."Mom, we're about the same height and build. We also look alike. Today, you even made sure we wore matching outfits. That was the first step in framing me."As soon as Lilly heard that, she instinctively pulled her jacket tighter around herself.When I came back from the restroom earlier, I noticed she had changed clothes.At the time, I thought she was just cold because of the air conditioning. Now it was obvious she had changed to help fake the evidence.I continued calmly, "And the murder weapon—the paring knife. I clearly remember putting it back into my backpack and handing the bag

At midnight, I turned another year older.According to the original timeline, I was also supposed to die.Hugh, who had never remembered my birthday before, suddenly remembered it only because he planned to sell me.But before I could decide what to do with Hugh and Elodie, the 70 years displayed above my head began dropping at an alarming speed.I immediately became worried. The countdown was falling far too fast. The kidnappers must have realized something had gone wrong.What happened at the airport had caused a huge commotion. They would want to silence everyone as quickly as possible.My first instinct was to call the police. But my remaining time had already dropped below 15 minutes. There wasn't enough time. I had to save myself.After dragging Hugh and Elodie into the bedroom, I turned on the voice recorder so it sounded like they were talking. Then I grabbed a knife from the kitchen and rushed into the garage.As I called 911, I quickly worked through the situation in my head.