Chapter 6

Suddenly, the iron gate creaked open, and a tall, familiar figure strode in, his silhouette outlined by the harsh light behind him.

"Long time no see, Mrs. Frost," Nathan said gently, though his eyes were filled with cold hatred.

Emily stepped protectively in front of Stella, forcing herself to sound calm. She said, "Mr. Hart, please, just let us go.

"Andrew and I have been on bad terms for a long time. He won't come to save us."

As she spoke, she desperately knocked her head against the ground, blood slowly seeping from her forehead. She begged, "Please, just let us go."

Nathan's eyes were icy. He sneered, "You think I'd believe that? Back then, Andrew reported me for embezzlement because of you, and I've been hiding out overseas, living like a fugitive ever since.

"Now, let's see if your marriage is still as strong as ever."

With a wave of his hand, two burly men stepped forward and roughly pulled Emily and Stella apart.

"Mommy!" Stella screamed, her voice raw with terror as her little hands stretched desperately toward Emily.

Emily lunged for Stella, but the men pinned her down, refusing to let her move.

She turned to Nathan, her voice shaking as she said, "If you want revenge, do whatever you want to me. Just leave her alone."

Nathan said with chilling calm, "Don't be so hasty. The real drama's just getting started."

Emily and Stella were bound together right at the edge of a sheer cliff, with a yawning abyss below their feet.

The cold wind whipped up from the depths, stinging Emily's cheeks with every gust.

The ropes bit into her wrists. She begged, "Nathan, please. If you want payback, do whatever you want to me. Leave Stella out of this. She's only six, she's just a kid."

Nathan snuffed out his cigarette and said, "Who said I'm here for revenge? I'm going to make you hurt so bad you'll beg for death."

Just then, two blinding headlights sliced through the night as Andrew rushed out of the car, barely keeping his balance, his face as pale as a ghost.

When he saw Emily and Stella bound at the edge of the cliff, his eyes went wide with shock. His voice cracked with desperation as he shouted, "Nathan, let them go! Let my wife and kid go!"

Nathan looked down at him, his tone cold and superior as he said, "Andrew, long time no see."

Andrew's whole body was tense, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles cracked. He said, "The 30 million you wanted is in the trunk. Hurry up and let them go."

Nathan sneered, "Mr. Frost, you sure know how to get things done. But I've got one more guest here, and it looks like your cash won't cover it.

"Bring the other one up!"

As soon as Nathan gave the order, the iron gate swung open again. Two burly men hauled in someone with a black hood pulled tight over their head.

The figure was thin, stumbling with every step: obviously hurt.

Nathan ripped the hood off.

It was Sophie.

Emily gasped, icy dread flooding her chest.

Gone was the graceful, sophisticated Sophie. Now she was just a bloody mess, her face smeared with blood and her lips split open.

Sophie sobbed, her voice shaking with fear. She cried out, "Andrew, save me. I don't want to die."

Nathan let out a cold laugh. He said, "30 million for two lives, Andrew: who are you gonna save?"

Emily locked eyes with Andrew, her gaze steady and utterly determined. She said, "Andrew, save Stella."

Nathan let out a mocking laugh. He said, "Alright, Mr. Frost, your wife's made her choice. Now, who's your other pick?"

Sophie screamed, thrashing against her captors, her voice raw with terror, "Andrew! Please, save me! I don't want to die."

Stella, tied up off to the side, was sobbing uncontrollably, big fat tears rolling down her cheeks. She choked out, "Daddy. Mommy."

Andrew's eyes flickered with agony as he looked between the three of them, torn by the impossible choice.