I slapped her before I even realized my hand had moved. “You monster,” I screamed. “You took my husband, my life—and now you’re stopping me from saving my child?”
She shrieked as I grabbed her hair. We struggled, crashing into furniture, fury and grief blinding me.
The door flew open.
Aldrin.
“What’s wrong with you?” he shouted.
I pointed at her, sobbing. “Our daughter is missing! You froze my accounts and she mocked me for it!”
His face hardened. “If Sienna disappeared, that’s on you. You can’t even keep track of your own kid.”
Before I could answer, Bianca cried out, clutching her stomach. Blood stained her clothes.
Aldrin turned on me. “If anything happens to her—or the baby—you’ll regret it!”
He struck me, pain exploding across my face. Then he carried her out, cradling her like she was everything that mattered.
I was left alone.
That’s when I understood. He would never help me.
So I called the only man who might.
“Joseph,” I whispered when he answered. “If you still want to marry me… save my daughter. I’ll give you everything.”
“Joseph,” I breathed when the call finally connected. My voice sounded broken even to my own ears. “It’s me. Tell me honestly—do you still want to marry me? If you do… then help me pay the ransom for my daughter. I’ll follow every condition you set.”
For a few seconds, there was nothing but silence. Then he laughed. Slow. Mocking. Cruel enough to make my chest ache.
“Well, I’ll be damned,” Joseph said lazily. “Looks like you finally realized you picked the wrong man. So… regretting choosing that jerk over me now?”
I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing myself to stay calm. “If you called just to ridicule me—and not to help—then we should end this conversation right now.”
“Easy, easy,” he replied, his tone shifting though the arrogance never quite left. “Don’t get so worked up, Amara. I said I’d help, didn’t I? But don’t forget what you just offered. Once I step in, you belong to me. No backing out this time. No running.”
“Yes,” I whispered, my throat tight. “Just make sure my daughter comes back alive.”
“Good,” he said softly. “Send me everything you have on the kidnappers. Five days. Be ready—I’ll come for you myself.”
The call disconnected.