3
Caleb’s men forcibly seated me on the restaurant’s top-floor open-air terrace, making me
eat alone.
“Didn’t you say you were hungry? Seraphina specially ordered all of this for you.”
Caleb said coldly, then went into the safe room with Seraphina, his voice full of doting affection.
“Don’t be scared, no one can hurt you.”
Caleb held her in his arms, gently comforting her. Seraphina seemed as fragile as a baby bird.
“Caleb, will big sister Elara blame me if she finds out I’m using her as a human shield?”
“She wouldn’t dare. You even personally ordered her meal. You haven’t done anything wrong to her.”
Seraphina’s voice grew even softer.
“But won’t you think I’m too selfish? I’m afraid you’ll dislike me…”
“Never. You’re the kindest woman I’ve ever met. I’ll love you forever, and be with you my entire life.”
Through the constant gnawing pain in my stomach, I heard their intertwined gasps and heavy breathing. I couldn’t ignore it, even if I tried.
Looking at the exquisite meal in front of me, I didn’t dare touch my fork.
From time to time, Seraphina’s sweet laughter drifted to my ears.
“Caleb, don’t do that. Big sister is still outside, and she is your wife, in name at least.”
Caleb’s voice was dismissive as he pulled off Seraphina’s clothes.
“This was always a fake marriage, meant to protect you. She’s ungrateful enough to try and harm you. What she’s getting now is a bargain!”
I couldn’t tell if it was from stomach pain or heartbreak, but tears dripped onto the back of my hand.
I just felt pathetic and ridiculous.
Time passed, minute by agonizing minute. I endured it, half-conscious, half-delirious, until the sounds from the safe room finally ceased.
I asked in a hoarse whisper, “It’s past midnight. Can you take me to the hospital?”
One of the men looked uncomfortable, hesitating for a moment, about to agree.
Caleb suddenly kicked open the safe room door and grabbed my hair.
“Who told you to leave your seat? Are you in cahoots with someone, deliberately trying to
harm Seraphina!”
Half an hour ago, Seraphina had inexplicably disappeared.
I shook my head blankly. “I’ve been right here the whole time. I didn’t leave. Your men can
vouch for me…”
But his men said, “She went to the restroom halfway through.”
I sharply lifted my head, unable to understand why he was lying.
Caleb’s eyes flashed with cold malice, asking almost savagely, “Who did you send a
message to?”
“I didn’t. It wasn’t me.”
He kicked my lower abdomen. A fierce wave of pain made me curl up on the ground.
r
“Still faking it? Seraphina just went to the restroom too. If you don’t tell the truth, don’t blame me for getting rough!”
Just then, his phone rang. After answering, Caleb strode out.
“Found Seraphina. Bring Elara Vance.”
Caleb thought the driver was too slow, so he took the wheel himself, speeding like a madman, yelling Seraphina’s name.
My hands and feet were bound. I was tossed around, repeatedly hitting the floor of the car, crying out in pain, but he didn’t even glance at me.
When we arrived at the abandoned factory, Seraphina was tied to a pillar, trembling with
fear.
“Caleb, I’m so scared! Save me!”
Caleb’s expression instantly changed, turning to his former associate with furious eyes.
“Anyone you want me to deal with, I’ll agree. I can even hand over my wife to you as a
hostage.”
The associate smiled, satisfied. “No problem.”
As I was shoved towards the associate, Caleb held Seraphina, his face beaming with the joy of finding something lost and precious.
The associate immediately slapped me. My head snapped to the side, and all I saw was Caleb walking away with Seraphina.
It was like this again. He didn’t look back, not even once.
The associate savored the expression on my face, then walked over and brutally ground his leather shoe onto my hand. He then ordered his men to mercilessly break both my legs.
I screamed in agonizing pain.
“Just kill me!”
But the associate just laughed. “You’re a hostage. If you die, what will I use to control
Caleb Thorne?”
“Caleb Thorne even handed his wife over to me. It seems he’s not without weaknesses.”
I quickly said, “You’re wrong. He doesn’t care if I live or die.”
But the associate showed me a contract Caleb Thorne had signed.
“Stop acting. He agreed to my cooperation for you. With you in my hands, he’ll have to
listen.”
The associate held me captive, ensuring I wouldn’t die, yet constantly making me scream
in agony.
Eventually, I was numb, my throat hoarse. He then plunged a dagger through my shoulder blade, recording the scene and sending it to Caleb Thorne.
A day and a night later, Caleb finally sent a voice message.
“Don’t hurt my wife. I’ll do anything.”
But in the background, I heard Seraphina Hayes’ sweet laughter.
A chill instantly permeated my heart.
If he truly cared about me, why didn’t he come to save me?
The associate, having received a reply, became even more excited, carving countless cuts into my body to threaten Caleb Thorne.
“If you don’t come now, your wife will bleed to death.”
My body was slowly losing strength, but I smiled.
I looked at the countdown, which showed three hours remaining.
Caleb Thorne, I’ll soon forget you completely.
But then, an alarm blared at the associate’s villa. Caleb Thorne’s men flooded in, apprehending the associate and handing him over to the police.
“Where’s Elara Vance? Where is she?”
Was Caleb Thorne here to save me?
