Chapter 1

When Seth married me, everyone congratulated him on finally fulfilling his long-held dream.

Only I knew the truth.

He wasn't marrying me for love. He was marrying me for revenge.

Three years ago, on the day he proposed, his father met with me and jumped from the top of a building.

The love Seth once had for me died that day, leaving only pure, burning hatred.

After getting married, he tortured me in every possible way, desperate to make me reveal a secret I had sworn never to tell.

It wasn't until he caused the death of the child I was carrying that my heart finally broke, and I told the truth.

Seth finally learned the truth, and he was filled with regret. He begged for forgiveness.

However, no matter what he did, he could never heal my broken heart or bring back our lost child.

*****

There were only two hours left until the deadline to pay the ransom for my son.

By the time I got to Seth Jennings's company, it was already late at night. Only his secretary, Abby, was in his office, sorting through documents.

I just barged in and demanded, "Where's Seth?"

She paused, glanced up at me, then went back to her work. "It's Mr. Jennings's private time. I can't tell you where he is."

I stepped forward and placed my hand over hers, trying to steady my trembling voice. "Where is Seth?"

Abby pulled her hand away and gave me a smug smile. "Beg me, and I'll tell you where Mr. Jennings is."

"Okay." Without hesitation, I bowed. "Please, tell me. Where is Seth?"

Abby's smile grew even more smug. "You're Mr. Jennings's wife, and you don't even know where he is. How would I possibly know?"

I couldn't hold it together anymore. I wiped my tears away, grabbed her hand, and pleaded, "Please, there's no time. My son has been kidnapped. I'm begging you, just tell me where Seth is."

She yanked her hand away. "Matteo isn't Mr. Jennings's kid. Why should he care about that boy?" Then she changed her tune. "Divorce Mr. Jennings. You never belonged here anyway."

"Okay, I'll do it. Just tell me where he is, and I'll sign the divorce papers right now," I said.

Abby's eyes lit up. "Really?"

By the time I tracked down the club using the address she gave me, it was already one in the morning. I only had an hour left before the deadline the kidnappers set.

When I pushed the door open, Seth had just finished his drink. He looked genuinely surprised to see me.

I rushed over and grabbed Seth's hand, desperation in my voice. "Matteo has been kidnapped. They want 600 thousand dollars, and there's less than an hour left. Please, Seth, help me."

He glanced down at my hand, his expression unreadable.

He let out a mocking laugh. "Macy, have you lost your mind? That brat isn't even mine. What does his life have to do with me? Why should I give a damn about helping you?"

I collapsed to the floor, tears streaming down my face. "I know you hate me. Whatever you want, I'll do it. Just please save Matteo."

Seth tensed up for a moment, then, with a careless gesture, pointed at the bottle of red wine on the table.

He sneered. "Down it in one gulp, and maybe I'll help you."

I glanced at the bottle and tipped it back, draining it in one go.

The people around started cheering. "Mr. Jennings sure knows how to keep his wife in check."

Dirty jokes and mocking laughter echoed in my ears, making my skin crawl.

However, with Matteo's life on the line, none of it mattered.

The wine hit me, my face burning like fire. I looked up at Seth, my voice shaking. "Is that enough?"

Before Seth could say anything, my phone started ringing. My fingers trembled as I hit answer.

"Did you fucking call the cops? You'll never see your son again." Then he hung up.

I called back immediately, but the phone was already switched off.

I couldn't stop shaking all over, and my mind was a total blank.

Please, Matteo, you had to be safe.

However, I knew I was just fooling myself.

My phone rang again, but I was too numb to even answer.

Seth took the phone from my hand.

"Is this Matteo's mother? We're so sorry. When we arrived, the kidnapper was desperate and threw the boy off the roof. Please come to the hospital as soon as you can," someone said.

I couldn't hear the rest. I just felt dizzy.

Seth reached out to support me.

I shoved him away with everything I had, my voice breaking as I screamed, "Are you happy now? Is this what you wanted?"

"Macy, what do you mean? I wasn't the one who called the cops. Are you out of your mind?" Seth snapped.

I said, "Ninety-eight times, Seth. I called you ninety-eight times. You probably had no clue, but every single time, I was just praying you'd answer. What was I even thinking?

"Well, I just forgot that you hate me so much."