Chapter 7
690 Words
The following days became a prolonged torment.
Vanessa braved torrential rain to buy desserts for Selena. Under the blazing sun, she ran across the entire resort searching for a specific brand of mineral water.
When Selena grew tired of walking, she even took off her high heels on the spot and ordered Vanessa to put them on.
The rough edges of the shoes rubbed the skin behind her heels raw. Every step sent sharp pain through her body.
Yet she could only endure the agony, carrying large and small bags while following behind the pair.
At last, it was their final day at the resort.
Just as Vanessa let out a breath of relief, the emergency broadcast sounded through the hotel.
A dangerous individual had infiltrated the area. All guests and staff were to evacuate immediately.
She rushed to Adrian's room at once, but found him alone.
His eyes were bloodshot. "I am not leaving. Selena has been taken."
"Go to the safe zone first. The police will handle it."
Vanessa grabbed his arm and turned to leave, but sudden pain struck the back of her neck.
Before losing consciousness, she heard Adrian's cold voice.
"Sorry. I cannot let anything happen to Selena again. I can only use you to exchange for her."
When she regained consciousness, Adrian shoved her toward the desperate criminals.
"She is my wife," he said calmly. "Please do not involve innocent people."
As he spoke, his eyes never left Selena.
Tears shimmered in Selena's eyes.
This operation had been designed to use her as bait to lure the criminals, with the police lying in ambush nearby, waiting to close in.
But when she was truly seized, the terror of nearly losing her three years ago once again flooded Adrian's reason like a tidal wave.
"Adrian, leave. They are targeting you," Selena said, her face pale and her voice trembling.
"I will never abandon you," Adrian replied firmly.
Their gazes intertwined, reluctant and lingering, as though they were lovers bound by hardship.
The kidnapper looked at the two women in his grasp and suddenly laughed with amusement.
"One is your colleague, one is your wife. Why not play a game and see which one you care about more?"
His voice was sinister. "Three minutes. Choose one to live. The other dies. Or better yet, push one of them into the sea yourself. I will release the other immediately."
Vanessa's mouth was sealed with tape. She struggled desperately, muffled cries escaping her throat.
Adrian knew delay would only worsen the situation. He had to decide at once.
He suddenly raised his hand and pointed at Vanessa, his voice resolute.
"She is my wife. I believe she shares my heart and would willingly die for me."
Vanessa's heart sank completely.
A surge of unwillingness rose within her. She tore the tape from her mouth.
"I am not his wife. I am only the hotel manager."
The kidnapper sneered and snatched her phone. After forcing it unlocked, he displayed a photo of her with Adrian. "Still denying it? Who do you think you are fooling?"
The resort was surrounded by sea. The kidnapper glanced at the dark waters and suddenly grabbed Vanessa by her long hair, dragging her to the shore.
"Mr. Hawthorne, the great profiler, please send your wife on her way."
Vanessa trembled violently, tears blurring her vision.
She looked at Adrian as he approached step by step, clinging to her final hope. "Save me, Adrian. I do not want to die."
Expressionless, he walked closer and pressed a hand onto her shaking shoulder.
"Vanessa, they are here to take revenge on me. You are my wife. This is the responsibility you should bear."
With a heavy splash, she was thrown into the deep sea.
Her hands and feet were tightly bound. She sank like a stone.
Through the shifting glimmer of the water, she saw Adrian watching her descend without expression.
Her heart filled with desolation.
'Was she truly going to die? She had not yet lived for herself even once. Suddenly, she caught sight of a sharp piece of metal.'
Light ignited in her eyes.
- Writer
