Chapter 2
Scarface just stared at me for a long moment, not saying a word.
The guys behind him were all gaping in disbelief.
Gordon heard me too. He lifted his head from comforting Natalie, disbelief written all over his face.
"Sarah! Are you out of your mind?!" he shouted.
Out of my mind?
So letting you send me off to die makes me the sensible one? But wanting to live makes me out of my mind?
I ignored him and calmly met Scarface's gaze.
"You kidnapped them for money, didn't you?" I asked.
He arched an eyebrow. "How did you know?"
"Gordon's company has been having cash flow issues lately. I'm guessing you're either a partner or an employee Gordon cheated out of your money." I analyzed coolly. "You never meant to kill anyone. Otherwise, you wouldn't have let my son make that call. You did all this just to get your money back."
His eyes sparkled with even more interest. "Go on."
"Gordon's the most selfish person you'll ever meet. If you use me to threaten him, he'd cave just to protect his reputation and future. But now, he's got an even better way out," I said.
I shot a glance at Natalie, who was still sobbing her heart out.
I said coldly, "He gets to play the tragic hero, sacrificing his wife for love. What a perfect story for him. He'll dump all the blame on you, then use my death as a prop to stage a touching survival drama with Natalie.
"In the end, you won't get a single cent, and you'll be the one taking the fall for murder," I added.
The warehouse went dead quiet.
The only sound was Natalie's muffled sobs.
Scarface's men glanced at each other, clearly realizing I was right.
"What about you, then?" Scarface asked. "Why should I let you go?"
"I can give you money," I said.
Gordon immediately shouted, "Sarah, don't talk nonsense! We don't have any money. All the company's funds are tied up."
Yeah, our family didn't have any money.
But I did.
I ignored him and kept talking to Scarface. "I've got a stash—money I saved up before I got married, plus what I've made from my investments over the years. It's not a fortune, but it's enough to cover your losses, with some to spare."
"Why would you help me?" Scarface asked, getting straight to the point.
I smiled, but it was icy. There was nothing warm in my eyes.
"Because you made me realize a few things," I said.
"And also..." I paused, shooting a look at Gordon and Natalie wrapped up in each other. "I want to see them crash and burn and lose everything."
The chill in my words was so sharp, even Scarface shuddered.
He stayed silent for a long time, then finally stood up.
"Alright," he said.
With a quick wave of his hand, he ordered, "Untie her."
One of his men rushed over and loosened the ropes that had dug into my wrists, leaving them swollen and discolored, almost purple.
Freedom came so suddenly, it almost felt unreal.
I worked the stiffness out of my wrists and slowly got to my feet.
Gordon started freaking out.
"Sir, don't trust her! She's just a housewife. Where would she get that kind of money? She's totally lying to you," he yelled.
He tried to scramble to his feet, but one of the kidnappers sent him sprawling with a hard kick.
"Shut up!" the guy barked.
I strode over to Gordon and stood looking down at him.
He looked up at me, his face twisted with fear and confusion.
"Sarah, you can't do this! We're husband and wife. Adam is your son," he pleaded.
"Husband and wife?" I let out a cold, mocking laugh. "That ended the moment you decided Natalie deserved to live more than me."
"My son?" I glanced at Adam, who was peeking out from behind Gordon. "I don't need a son who sides with an outsider and would rather see his own mother dead."
Adam's face went ghostly pale.
He never expected I'd actually hear his tiny whisper.
I cut them off completely, turned to Scarface, and said coldly, "All my money is in a private account. No name attached. The password's in my head. I need a phone and a laptop.
Scarface nodded without hesitation. "They're in the car. Follow me."
I walked after him, heading out of the warehouse.
Behind me, Gordon's desperate, furious yelling echoed off the walls.
"Sarah, you poisonous bitch! How dare you walk out on me? If you leave, don't you ever come back. I'm never divorcing you. I'll drag you down with me. You'll never escape me for the rest of your life," he screamed.
Drag me down with you?
Gordon, you really underestimated me.
I didn't slow down. I didn't even look back.
As I stepped out of the warehouse, the harsh sunlight hit my face, and I squinted against it.
I felt reborn. Like life was giving me a second chance.