7
That night, Benjamin came home and ordered the maids to pack.
“What happened today? A one-off. I was just cleaning up your mess.” His frown cut deep. “Stop being jealous. No more stunts.”
He hesitated, then added, “Sophia’s stressed. She needs comfort, so I’ll be with her these next few days. Don’t worry, I won’t marry her. I won’t be alone with her either-I’ll bring the kids,”
I almost laughed.
Won’t marry
her? They already had two kids.
Not alone? Just a happy family of four.
Fine by me. I wanted the peace and quiet anyway.
Weeks later, the divorce was final.
I stood in the empty living room with the divorce decree in hand, like I’d finally woken from a nightmare.
I was about to grab my suitcase when Sophia stormed in with bodyguards.
“Running away? Playing hard to get?” She sneered at my suitcase. “Bitches always have tricks.”
Her eyes glinted sharp, full of malice. She wasn’t letting me walk free.
I didn’t argue. I pulled the divorce decree from my bag and handed it over.
“Give this to Benjamin. Mrs. Carter’s spot is all yours. I’m not coming back.”
Sophia snatched it, her face lighting with ecstasy-then twisting with rage.
“Sorry. Only dead people stop being threats. Don’t worry, I’ll be Mrs. Carter. And your two little bastards? I’ll ruin them too.”
Even now, Benjamin still hadn’t told her the truth about those kids. Pathetic.
Ethan and Olivia worshiped her, defended her. Their real mother? She saw them as garbage in her way.
I opened my mouth-then white-hot pain exploded at the back of my head. Darkness swallowed me whole.
When I woke, I was tied to a cliff edge, bombs strapped to me. Below me yawned a bottomless chasm.
Sophia was tied up too, eyes burning with hate.
“Just thinking you had Ben’s kids because you look like me makes me sick! I want you to watch as Ben and your brats choose me.
better!”
Then her face shifted-pained, desperate-when Benjamin arrived with the kids.
The kidnapper barked, “Pay the ransom, one goes free. You choose!”
Wind whipped my hair as Benjamin’s voice shook. “Both of them. Let them go.”
“No. One, or they both die.”
The kids panicked.
“Dad, pick Aunt Sophia! I only want her!”
“Mom’s extra anyway. If she dies, no more embarrassment. Olivia wants Aunt Sophia as Mom!”
Benjamin’s jaw clenched, but his assistant whispered, “Mr. Carter, it’s him-the brother of that guy from the club.”
Benjamin’s eyes went cold.
Ella again. Always dragging trouble.
His rage boiled over. He didn’t hesitate.
I choose Sophia.”
The kidnapper sneered. “What about your real wife?”
12:31
Only then will I feel
1.1%
Benjamin’s gaze turned to ice. Her life or death means nothing,”
Sophia was untied and shoved forward. Benjamin caught her. Ethan and Olivia clung to her, voices tender with concern.
The four of them walked away without a single glance back.
Leaving me strapped with a live bomb.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
I choked out, “Whatever Sophia’s paying, I’ll double it.”
The kidnapper’s eyes flickered.
“I’ll pay ten times!”
Money works miracles.
The countdown stopped.
Shaking, I collapsed at the cliffs edge. Then I forced myself up, went back to the mansion, and grabbed all my documents.
On the computer, the family photo still glowed on the screen.
But when it came to life or death, Benjamin and the kids had chosen Sophia.
Thinking of her spitting “bitch” at me every chance she got, I let the truth die with me. Their karma wasn’t mine to fix.
I deleted the family photo and set the background to a wide, blue sky.
The car sped toward the airport, scenery blurring past.
Those dark years of lies, betrayal, and pain were finally behind me.
Ahead stretched a brand new world-free, vast, and mine alone.
Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy DaisyNovel. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.