Chapter 7
For the past few days, I had stayed at Jasmine’s house, hidden away from the chaos I had left behind. This was the safest place I could be for now. No one knew I was here.
No one except Jasmine.
And the agency.
I pressed the phone to my ear, listening to the steady voice on the other end.
“She’s fine,” the agent assured me. “We’re taking good care of her. She has food, toys, and a saf place to stay. Just as you requested.”
I let out a slow breath. “Good.”
I hadn’t taken Patty to punish her.
She was an innocent child, caught in the middle of something cruel.
But Elias and Sabrina needed to feel what I had felt.
I had sent them pictures–fabricated images of Patty looking frail and weak, as if she was suffering. I needed them desperate. I needed them to feel the helplessness I once did.
But I wouldn’t keep her forever.
I wasn’t that heartless.
This would only last a little longer–until they lost everything.
“Keep me updated,” I said before ending the call.
Back in the city, Elias was losing his mind.
He stood in his office, pacing back and forth, his breathing uneven. His hair was disheveled, his shirt wrinkled–he had barely slept since Patty was taken.
“Where is she?!” he roared, slamming his fist onto his desk.
His security team stood before him, silent, none of them daring to meet his eyes.
“We’re still tracking possible leads, sir,” one of them finally spoke, voice careful. “But so far there’s been no sign of her.”
Elias’s jaw clenched so tightly it hurt. “Then find her.”
The room was thick with tension. His men were already searching, but nothing. No traces, no leads. It was as if Patty had vanished into thin air.
His phone buzzed, and he grabbed it instantly.
A message.
A new wave of fear gripped him as he clicked it open.
The image loaded.
His breath hitched.
Patty,
She looked terrified. Her little hands gripped her knees, her face pale, her lips trembling as if she had been crying for hours. Her eyes–once bright and full of life–were swollen, red–rimmed.
TH
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5:29 pm
A sharp pain stabbed through Elias’s chest.
Another message followed.
She’s still alive–for now.
His heart pounded.
Sabrina burst into the room, looking frantic, her eyes wild. “Did you hear anything?!”
Elias didn’t answer. He simply turned his phone to her.
Sabrina gasped, a strangled sob escaping her lips. “Oh my God… our baby…”
Her hands flew to her mouth, her entire body trembling. “Elias, we have to do something! We have to get her back! We need to-”
“We already paid them,” Elias muttered, his hands shaking. “Why haven’t they given her back?” Sabrina’s eyes filled with fresh panic.
“They… they want more money,” she whispered.
Elias’s head snapped toward her. “What?”
Sabrina held up her phone. She had just received another message.
10 million. If you want her back, send it now. No delays.
Elias’s stomach turned.
10 million.
This was more than just a ransom. This was torture–and he was sure that sooner all his money would be gone if this would continue. He really need to find Veronica–he believed that Veronica had something to do with this, and a part of him actually missed her presence.
The moment I placed my phone down, Jasmine entered the room.
“Veronica,” she said, her voice careful. “I need to talk to you.”
I glanced up, studying her face. “What is it?”
She hesitated, as if choosing her words. Then, she sighed.
“Elias’s been looking for you.”
I stiffened.
She continued, “He’s been asking around. He even called me.”
My stomach twisted. “And?”
“I told him I had no idea where you were,” Jasmine said. “But he doesn’t believe me.”
I exhaled sharply.
Of course, Elias wouldn’t give up that easily.
“I think you should move,” she added. “Just to be safe.”
I ran a hand through my hair, trying to think.
She was right. Staying here any longer would be risky.
“Where would I go?” I asked finally.
Chapter 7
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5:29 pm
Jasmine smiled slightly. “I have a summer house. Outside the suburbs. No one knows about it except my family. Elias won’t find you there.”
It was a good plan. Safe.
Far enough to stay hidden, but not too far if I needed to act.
I nodded. “Alright.”
Jasmine placed a reassuring hand on mine. “Don’t worry. You’re not alone in this.”
A lump formed in my throat. She was the only person I had left.
I gave her a small, grateful smile. “Thank you.””
By nightfall, I was gone. Jasmine had arranged everything. A private driver picked me up and took me to the summer house.
When I arrived, I took a deep breath. The house was secluded, surrounded by trees and silence. It was peaceful–too peaceful.
For a moment, I allowed myself to relax. But peace wasn’t what I was here for.
I settled in quickly, placing my bag down in the bedroom and glancing around.
Alone. Finally alone.
Exhaustion weighed heavy on my shoulders.
For days, I had been running, planning, thinking. My mind never stopped working. But right now, I just wanted a moment to breathe.
A hot bath. A jacuzzi. That would be perfect.
I grabbed my robe and headed toward the master bathroom. The moment I reached for the door, a faint sound made me freeze.
Water. Moving.
I inhaled sharply. Someone was inside.
My fingers tightened around the doorknob, and I slowly pushed the door open. Steam curled in the air, the scent of expensive cologne mixing with the warmth of the room.
And then-
I saw him.
Half–submerged in the jacuzzi, broad shoulders glistening under the dim lights, wet hair slicked back, water droplets sliding down his sculpted chest.
I sucked in a breath.
Brandon.
Jasmine’s older brother.
And the man I used to have a crush on.
His piercing blue eyes met mine.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then-
A slow, knowing smirk curled at his lips.
5:29 pm
DDD
“Well, well,” he drawled, stretching lazily in the water. His voice was deep, smooth, familiar.
