Chapter 2

When he turned back to me, his face was etched with pure disgust. "Are you finished making a fool of yourself? You might not care about looking ridiculous, but I still have my reputation to think about.

"Daisy is six years old. She's at an age where she's constantly learning from the people around her. Try not to set such a bad example.

"Olivia puts more care into looking after that dog than you've ever put into raising our daughter. Can't you learn something decent for once?"

At that moment, rage swept through me so fiercely that my entire body went numb.

If it weren't for the desperate need to save my daughter, I would have torn that place apart and let the whole world see exactly what kind of people the two of them were.

But for Daisy's sake, I swallowed my fury. I shoved my wrist in front of Simon's face so he could see the watch. "Fifteen minutes have already passed. You need to come with me now, or it'll be too late.

"And if that happens, you'll regret it for the rest of your life."

Simon only became more annoyed, and his voice dripped with impatience. "So I forgot our wedding anniversary yesterday. Does that really justify you storming over here and acting like a complete maniac?

"Olivia's dog has a fractured leg. If it doesn't get treated in time, he might lose it. She's not strong enough to carry him on her own, so I gave her a hand. What's so wrong about that? Could you show a little compassion for once?"

Olivia's dog had a broken leg, and he was accusing me of lacking compassion.

But what about my daughter? She was a living, breathing person.

That was when I finally snapped.

"You ran out in the middle of the night!" I shrieked, completely hysterical. "Daisy went looking for you, and that's how she got taken! You always said she was the most important thing in your life, but you're a liar.

"In your heart, she doesn't even matter as much as a dog. If Daisy ever found out, do you have any idea how crushed she would be?"

Simon did love his daughter. The mention of Daisy being hurt gave him pause for a moment.

He seemed to waver, and he actually lifted his foot as if he was about to leave with me.

But Olivia immediately grabbed hold of his arm.

"Let me get this straight," she said. "My dog gets hurt, and your daughter gets kidnapped, strapped to a bomb, and Simon is the only one who can save her? That's a pretty creative story you've come up with. Very convenient, wouldn't you say?

"Madison, maybe you should quit acting and become a screenwriter instead.

"If you're upset that Simon helped me out, I'll apologize to you right now. But please don't curse Daisy. She's such a sweet little girl. She doesn't deserve to be treated that way.

"Simon adores Daisy. You're going to break his heart."

Another five minutes had slipped away. I didn't have time to keep fighting with Olivia. I was desperate, teetering on the edge of madness.

Tears poured down my face in heavy drops, and my voice came out as nothing but a desperate plea. "Simon, everything I've told you is the truth. Daisy really has been kidnapped. Please, I'm begging you. Go save her. If we wait any longer, it's going to be too late."

Olivia seized the moment and leaned into Simon's shoulder, whispering in that soft, coaxing voice of hers. "You have to admit, Madison is a hell of an actress.

"When being aggressive didn't work, she switched straight to tears. She's like a one-woman show. Best Actress material, really.

"Simon, you've lived with her for years. At this point, I honestly don't know how you tell the difference between what's real and what's not. I actually feel sorry for you."

Sure enough, after Olivia had finished speaking, the disgust in Simon's eyes when he looked at me deepened even further.

My hands curled into fists at my sides, knuckles cracking as I tightened them.

I rose to my feet and struck Olivia across the face. "One more word out of you, and I'll tear that mouth apart.

"If anything happens to my daughter, you'd better believe I'll make you pay with your life."