“Ethan,I checked the security cameras and I saw you take her.Natalie told me herself that you sold her to those old men just to buy her a handbag!Ethan,you’re not even human.You’re a monster!”
There was a sharp pause on the line,like he was stunned I had seen the footage.Then he quickly regained control,his voice flat and sure.
“So what?Jenna,I’m done with you.I’m done with your family’s fake pride.Without me,would your business have survived?My daughter is with me.Why not get something in return?”
Each of his words hit me like poisoned needles.Done with me?Getting something in return?
Back then,when his small company was on the verge of bankruptcy,he came to me begging like a stray animal,begging for help.It was me,hiding it from my family,pouring in all my personal savings,pulling every connection I had and working day and night to land him sales and investors,that dragged him back from ruin.
When we married,my family asked for no dowry.We gave him a car,a house and even shares in the company.My father taught him business.Every step of Ethan’s success came from my family,the Sinclair Family.
Now he had the audacity to say he had had enough?He called it charity?
“Ethan…”I said and my voice dropped low and went calm.“You’ve forgotten who you are.You’ve forgotten who I am.”
He seemed caught off guard by my sudden calm.For a moment,he stayed silent.But before he could speak,Natalie snatched the phone and spat,“Jenna,stop acting high and mighty.You’re not the Sinclair Family’s golden daughter anymore.Ethan doesn’t even want you.And your daughter will be some old man’s bride soon.Cry yourself to death if you like.”
I didn’t listen to the rest.I ended the call.
Tears ran down my cheeks,but my heart had gone cold.
I wiped my face,steadied my breath and with shaking fingers,I scrolled down my contacts.Soon after,I finally found a number I had never used.The encrypted line.
It rang once before a calm,cold male voice answered,“Special task force.Go ahead.”
I spoke steadily,each word clear,“Lock down every exit out of the state,especially routes to the western mountains.Ground flights if you must.”
“And notify my father.”I swallowed a choking sob.“His granddaughter has been kidnapped.Tell him to use everything at his disposal to find her.”
A brisk reply came back,“Authorization acknowledged.Highest level.Unconventional measures permitted.”