Chapter 4 - The Hostage
The terrifying note fell from my trembling fingers.
Vanessa had known about this mountain safe house all along.
I rushed back into the bedroom to grab my daughter.
The bed was completely empty.
The window was wide open, letting in the freezing rain and wind.
I screamed Sophia's name into the dark, endless forest.
There was no answer except the howling storm.
My cell phone vibrated violently in my pocket.
It was a video call from an unknown international number.
I answered it with hot tears streaming down my face.
Vanessa's beautiful, wicked face filled the bright screen.
She was smiling from the back of a moving, luxurious vehicle.
She turned the camera to show Marcus sitting right next to her.
Marcus was holding Sophia, who was crying and signing desperately for her mother.
I begged them to let her go and take me instead.
Vanessa laughed and said I was not worth anything to them.
She told me she needed Nathan to sign the final marriage documents tomorrow morning.
She knew Nathan would refuse if he suspected she was a murderer.
Vanessa ordered me to drive back to the mansion and act perfectly normal.
I had to tell Nathan the safe house was secure and Sophia was asleep.
If I warned Nathan, they would throw Sophia into the freezing river.
The video screen instantly went black.
I fell to my knees on the wooden floor, sobbing uncontrollably.
I drove back to the mansion through the treacherous, blinding storm.
I arrived just as the sun was beginning to rise over the massive estate.
Nathan was waiting for me anxiously in the kitchen.
He asked me if my sweet daughter was safe.
I looked into his tired, hopeful eyes.
May you like
I swallowed my tears and told the biggest lie of my life.
"Yes, Nathan, she is perfectly safe."
