Chapter 14 It’s You
“For most people, kidnapping’s a crime,” a voice sneered from the warehouse
entrance. “But for the Wheeler family, this? This is nothing.”
A man in a black suit stepped into the dim light, a cold smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. Broad-shouldered, long-legged, impeccably dressed-he
looked like he’d walked straight off the set of some over-the-top corporate drama.
He had a refined, intellectual face and introduced himself with a surname:
Wheeler. Based on the name alone, Ginny guessed he must be Melody’s older brother. But there wasn’t a hint of
resemblance between them.
“Melody, watch closely,” he said, throwing
a quick glance over his shoulder. “I’m going to make sure this woman signs the divorce papers today.”
So this was Jake Wheeler, current CEO of the Wheeler Group.
She’d heard of him before-from Ryan, who’d once praised his business acumen.
But Ryan had never mentioned that Jake was the kind of man who couldn’t tell right from wrong. A man who’d stoop to this kind of underhanded tactic just to help his sister steal someone else’s
husband.
“Underhanded?” Jake laughed when
Ginny used the word. “To me, if it works, it’s a good method. Simple as that.”
He crouched down so their eyes met, the smile still plastered across his face. “Sign it, bitch, and you walk out of here alive.”
Ginny looked at the divorce papers in his hand, her voice calm. “Chandler works for the Special Ops Unit. Even if I sign, this marriage doesn’t end unless he agrees. That’s just the law.”
She wasn’t bluffing. It was the truth.
But Melody wasn’t having it. She scowled, thinking Ginny was just trying to weasel
out.
“Jake, she’s sharp with her words. You’re
not gonna convince her that easily.”
Jake’s gaze narrowed. He clearly realized she was right, but that didn’t mean he was backing off.
“I’ll give you one more chance,” he said, his voice lower now. “Sign it. Don’t worry about the rest. But if you insist on refusing a good offer, then don’t blame me for what happens next.”
He stared at her for a long moment. When Ginny still didn’t budge, he stood up and gave a subtle nod.
One of the thugs stepped forward and, without warning, slapped her hard across the face.
“You dumb bitch,” he spat. “Mr. Wheeler came in person—consider that a blessing. You turn him down like this? You really don’t know how to appreciate a good life. If you won’t sign the nice way, we’ll have to spice things up.”
Another slap.
Then the man reached out and gripped her face, hard.
“Soft,” he muttered, pinching her cheek. “Real soft. Bet if I kissed-”
“Cut it out, Damion,” the other thug interrupted, eyeing Jake nervously. “The boss is still here.”
Damion froze and quickly dropped his
hand, stepping back.
Melody had been silent this whole time, but now her eyes shifted with something
calculated.
She piped up, concern painted across her face. “Jake, don’t let them touch her. She
and Chandler are husband and wife, after all. If anything happens to her, Chandler will definitely feel guilty.
“You know how loyal he is, how much he values relationships. I don’t want him to carry that guilt when he’s with me. I want to start fresh.”
Her voice softened further. “It’s my fault, really. The moment I found out Chandler was married, I should’ve let go. If I’d been
strong enough to move on, to encourage him to be a good husband to her… none of this would’ve happened.
“Come home, okay? For the rest of my life, I only need you and our family.
“Ginny and I are both women. Why make it harder on each other? If she can’t let go of Chandler, then I’ll walk away.”
Her eyes were red now, on the verge of tears she wouldn’t let fall. It was a pitiful act—one that clearly worked on her
brother.
Jake’s expression shifted. He felt a flicker of pain, then cold rage.
Without warning, he slapped Ginny again,
even harder than before.
“Melody,” he said, voice rough with emotion, “I promised you. I said I’d make sure you get what you want. Don’t worry. I’ll make her sign it.”
He turned to Ginny again, eyes hard. “You really won’t do it the easy way, huh? Then let’s see how tough you really are.”
He stepped back and told the thug, “Hit her where it won’t show. Make sure she
feels it.”
This time, the blows were brutal. Ginny’s skin broke out in a cold sweat from the pain, her breath hitching with every hit.
Her screams echoed through the
warehouse. But no matter how loud she
cried out, no one came.
The General’s Regret
