When my Daughter was Kidnapped, My Husband Laughed so I left — Novel

I froze. Father. The man I barely spoke to. The man they loved to throw in my face.

Leandro’s gaze sharpened, suspicion gleaming. “Of course. That’s it. You and your father. Scammers, just the same.”

For a moment, the room spun. I couldn’t breathe. They were accusing me—again—while my baby was out there suffering... And it was even my enemy who saved her.

“Fine,” I said finally, my voice hollow. “Think what you want. If you want Gwen dead, then so be it. At least I won’t have to live tied to a man like you. Because Leandro, you’ve done nothing but disappoint me.”

And with that, I turned and walked away before my legs gave out.

Inside my room, I collapsed onto the bed, clutching my mother’s necklace, letting the last of my tears fall. My decision had already been made.

I picked up the phone, dialed a number I’d been saving for years. When the line connected, my voice came steady, unshaken for the first time.

“Hello, attorney? This is Emerald. I want to file for divorce.”

There was a pause on the other end, the kind that makes your throat tighten even when you’ve already made up your mind.

“Ms. Emerald,” the lawyer’s voice was cautious, almost reluctant. “Are you sure about this? If you divorce Mr. Leandro, you will gain nothing. Not the house, not the shares from the company, not even the cars registered under his name. Everything will be lost to you.”

I closed my eyes, letting the silence weigh on me for a beat. Nothing. That word didn’t scare me anymore. What was left to lose when the man who vowed to love me turned into a stranger? When he watched me suffer and called it punishment? When he refused to lift a finger to save the daughter we brought into this world?

“I don’t care,” I said, steady, even when my heart was pounding. “Just send the divorce papers by tomorrow. On our wedding anniversary. It will be my gift to him.”

And before the lawyer could protest, I hung up.

My fingers trembled as I dialed Martin’s number next. He answered on the first ring, his tone sharp as ever.

I swallowed. “Where’s Gwen? Is she really okay?”

There was a shuffle, then Martin’s voice softened. “Talk to her.”

A beat later, the sweetest sound I had ever heard echoed through the line.

“Mommy?” Gwen’s little voice was fragile, like a bird’s wings beating against a storm.