Fourteen professional caregivers had already quit Adrian Vale’s mansion

I stared at Adrian in absolute shock, unable to comprehend the level of betrayal.

His own brother had orchestrated this massive siege to slaughter his family.

Adrian pushed the heavy handgun into my trembling fingers and ordered me to run.

I grabbed the weapon, completely terrified but running entirely on maternal instinct.

I gathered the boys and led them out of the hidden library toward the service corridors.

We needed to reach the underground garage to find a vehicle that wasn't locked down.

We crept silently down the concrete stairwell, the sounds of destruction echoing from the upper floors.

The garage was cold and smelled strongly of gasoline and damp earth.

I spotted a dark, armored SUV parked near the rear exit doors.

I told the boys to stay hidden behind a concrete pillar while I checked the vehicle.

I sprinted toward the SUV, checking the door handle.

It was unlocked, and the keys were resting in the center console.

I turned around to signal the boys to run to the car.

My heart completely stopped in my chest.

A tall man with a jagged scar across his cheek was standing right behind the concrete pillar.

It was Silas Vale, flanked by two heavily armed mercenaries.

Silas reached down and grabbed Evan by the collar, lifting the struggling boy off his feet.

Evan kicked and screamed, but the mercenary easily overpowered him.

I raised the heavy handgun and aimed it directly at Silas's chest.

My hands shook violently, but my finger rested firmly on the trigger.

I demanded he let the boy go immediately, or I would shoot him.

Silas laughed a cold, soulless laugh that echoed through the dark garage.

He did not raise a weapon to defend himself.

Instead, he pulled a sleek smartphone from his jacket pocket and turned the screen toward me.

The screen displayed a live video call from the pediatric intensive care unit.

One of his armed men was standing directly next to my sister's hospital bed, holding a syringe.

Silas smiled cruelly and offered me a simple choice.

When my newborn 'passed away,' my mother-in-law leaned in and said

My Husband Left Me Alone in My Car While I Was in Labor

“You’re Dead When We Get Home,” He Snapped

He told me I could shoot him and save Adrian's son, but my sister would die in exactly ten seconds.

Or I could drop the gun and watch the boys die, and my sister would live.

Chapter 7 - The Hostage