The warm scent of chamomile filled the air, mingling with the faint hint of vanilla from the candles Jasmine had lit earlier. The house was quiet, a stark contrast to the chaos I had left
behind.
I sat on the couch, my fingers wrapped around the warm mug of tea Jasmine had given me. The past few days had felt unreal–like I was floating, detached from everything.
But I wasn’t running.
I was waiting. Waiting for the plan to unfold. Waiting for Elias and Sabrina’s world to crumble the way mine had.
Jasmine had always been like a sister to me. We had been inseparable in college–until life took her across the world, and we slowly lost touch.
But when I called her, voice steady but hollow, she hadn’t hesitated. She had sent someone to pick me up, no questions asked.
And now, I was here, in her home, safe.
Elias was probably looking for me. Or maybe he wasn’t.
Maybe he was too busy with Sabrina, too focused on his real family.
The thought twisted in my chest, but before I could dwell on it, footsteps approached.
Jasmine entered the room, carrying another steaming cup of tea. She placed it in front of me and sat beside me, her eyes searching my face.
‘Are you okay?”
took a slow sip, letting the warmth spread through me. “Yeah. My burns are healing now.”
Jasmine tilted her head. “I didn’t mean that. I meant everything else.”
For a moment, I just stared at the tea.
Then, I forced a small smile. “I’ll make it through.”
She didn’t look convinced. She placed a comforting hand over mine, squeezing lightly.
‘I don’t know the full story,” she said softly, “but I know you. And I know that if you left, it was for
a reason.”
I met her gaze. “Just promise me you won’t tell anyone I’m here.”
Jasmine squeezed my hand again. “Of course.”
I exhaled, relieved.
Then, her voice dropped. “What about Patty?”
I didn’t react.
Jasmine hesitated. “How long are you going to keep her away from them?”
I took another slow sip of my tea before answering.
“Until they lose everything.”
Back in the city, Elias’s hands trembled as he stared at his phone.
Chapter 6
313
20.99
5:28 pm
A message had just arrived. His stomach twisted the moment he saw it.
Unknown number. With a single sentence.
We have your daughter.
His grip on the phone tightened, his heart hammering against his ribs. His fingers hovered over the screen before he clicked the message open.
Another one followed.
If you want her back, you’ll pay.
Attached was a video. With shaky hands, he pressed play.
Patty sat in a dimly lit room, tied to a chair, her small face streaked with tears.
Sabrina’s scream pierced the air. “Oh my God! Patty! Patty!”
She lunged toward Elias, clutching his shirt. “We have to send the money! Right now!” Elias barely heard her. His mind was racing, his breath uneven.
This wasn’t happening. It couldn’t be happening.
His hands shook as he typed back. How much?
A reply came immediately. Thirty million dollars. No police. No delays.
Elias gritted his teeth, trying to stay calm. He needed more proof. I want another video.
Within seconds, another clip came through.
Patty was sobbing harder now, hiccupping between cries. A shadow moved behind her, and then a gloved hand came into frame, gripping her shoulder.
Her tiny voice cracked. “Daddy… please…”
Sabrina broke down, sinking to the floor in sobs.
Elias’s vision blurred.
He had no choice.
No negotiation. No delay.
He transferred the money immediately.
The house was silent. Elias sat on the couch, his head in his hands.
Hours had passed. Still no response. Still no Patty.
Sabrina paced back and forth, nails digging into her arms. “Why haven’t they brought her back yet? They got the money! Where is she?!”
Elias didn’t answer. He was thinking. Something wasn’t right. If this was a simple ransom, they would have returned Patty the moment they got the money. But the silence stretched on, heavy and suffocating. Did they get scammed?
Then–His phone buzzed.
A message from his security team.
Sir, we’ve done another sweep of all possible locations Veronica could be in.
Elias’s jaw clenched as he read the next line.
She’s gone. Not a single camera caught her leaving. It’s as if she never existed.
Chapter 6
5:28 pm
DDD.
His grip tightened around his phone.
Another message came through.
And sir… we have reason to believe she planned this long before she left.
His heart pounded.
Another message.
We traced some of her recent bank activity before she disappeared. Multiple large withdrawals over the course of months. She was funneling money somewhere. We think she set up an escape route in advance.
Elias’s hands turned ice cold.
Veronica had planned this.
She had always planned this.
Sabrina’s breathing turned ragged. “Elias… what do we do?”
Elias didn’t answer.
His mind was spinning. His chest felt tight.
She was gone.
For the first time, something unfamiliar settled deep in his chest.
A feeling he couldn’t name.
A feeling that twisted in his gut and clawed at his ribs.
Regret.
