My son was seven days old when I found him burning with fever beside his unconscious mother. The doctor took one look at them and said, “Call the police.”

The video feed was shaky, but the threat was crystal clear.

“Emily!” I gasped, staring at the small screen of my phone.

The gloved hand moved the scalpel slightly, drawing a tiny bead of blood on her neck.

A digitally altered voice came through the phone’s speaker.

“If you want your wife to live, you will walk away from the police right now.”

Vance tried to look at the screen, but I pulled the phone away.

“Do not alert your detective,” the voice warned.

“Walk to the north exit of the garage, or she dies in five seconds.”

I looked at Vance, my heart tearing in two directions.

My son was in a stolen helicopter, and my wife was being held hostage upstairs.

“Ethan, what is it?” Vance asked, noticing my pale face.

“It’s nothing,” I lied, stepping backward.

“I just need a minute.”

I turned and bolted toward the north exit of the parking garage.

“Miller, stop!” Vance shouted, but he was busy restraining Ashley.

I pushed through the heavy exit doors and stepped into the pouring rain.

“I am outside,” I said to the phone.

“Leave her alone.”

The video feed abruptly cut off, replaced by a voice call.

“Get into the silver sedan parked across the street,” the voice commanded.

“The keys are under the mat.”

I sprinted across the wet pavement, finding the car exactly where they said it would be.

I climbed into the driver’s seat, dripping wet and shivering from fear.

“Drive north on Route 9,” the voice instructed.

“Where is my son?” I demanded, turning the ignition.

“He is safe, for now.”

“Your mother made a very lucrative deal with us.”

“She promised us a healthy infant in exchange for erasing her gambling debts and providing a fresh start.”

I gripped the steering wheel until my knuckles turned white.

My own mother had sold her grandson to a human trafficking ring.

“But there is a problem,” the voice continued.

“Your sudden return disrupted the timeline.”

“The child is severely ill, and his condition is worsening.”

“We need the medical files from his private pediatrician to stabilize him.”

“You are going to retrieve those files for us, Ethan.”

I stepped on the gas, merging onto the dark highway.

“And if I do?” I asked.

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

“Then you get your wife back,” the voice replied coldly.

“But the boy belongs to us now.”

Chapter 8 - The Ultimatum