Chapter 96 Chapter 96
Amelia
“Ma’am?” Cynthia called as she watched, I had already ruined one pan. She stood by the counter watching me struggle with the second one. I wasn’t even sure what I was trying to cook anymore.
My hands were shaking, but I needed this to keep my mind sabe or I would lose myself completely.
“Ma’am,” Cynthia said gently, stepping closer. “Let me do it.”
“I am fine,” I muttered, staring into the pot.
“You are not.” She said.,
I gripped the wooden spoon tighter. “I need to do something. If I sit down, I will start thinking. And if I start thinking…” My voice cracked. “I won’t stop.” Cynthia’s face softened. “I need to keep my mind sane,” I whispered.
Before Cynthia could say anything else, I heard footsteps behind me, I turned and Declan walked into the kitchen. I froze, I wasn’t expecting to see him.
He was wearing a simple T-shirt and sweatpants. His hair was still wet, like he had just showered. That meant one thing, he had spent the night here. I didn’t step out of my room the entire day yesterday. I assumed he left with their mom.
He noticed the look on my face. “Mom insisted I stay,” he said from the doorway. “To help with the investigation, or whatever you people need.” His eyes hardened. “And I don’t want to see your face either, so don’t give me that look.”
Cynthia stiffened beside me. She looked from him to me, clearly uncomfortable. Then she wiped her hands on a towel.
“If you need anything, I will be outside,” she said quietly. I nodded, she slipped out of the kitchen, leaving us alone.
The air immediately felt tighter.
“If you had any dignity,” I said slowly, “you would have refused to stay. Your presence here is useless.” He didn’t respond. “Unless,” I continued, my voice sharper, “you are here to keep an eye on us. Makes it easier to send updates to your gang. That way they know every move we make.”
His jaw tightened as he stepped closer. “I know you are desperate to blame someone,” he said calmly, but there was anger underneath. “But this is entirely your fault. Not mine.”
I let out a short laugh. “My fault?”
“Yes,” he said, taking another step forward. “You created this mess.” I folded my arms, refusing to step back. “You slept with two brothers,” he continued. “Got engaged to one. Married the other, had his children. Hide them for five years because of your selfishness and greed.” He said.
“So don't stand there and pretend you are innocent.” He spat.
My chest burned. “I have no regret dumping your stupid ass,” I shot back. “Not one.” His eyes flashed. “I would do it again,” I continued. “Over and over. Imagine being stuck with someone like you for life. You are useless, to me, to everyone. No wonder your own family cast you out.”
His face darkened, before I could react, he stepped forward and grabbed my neck. My back hit the kitchen cabinet. “If you ever call me useless again,” he said through clenched teeth, “I will make you disappear without a trace, you whore.”
His fingers tightened around my throat. I tried to pull his hands away, but he was stronger. My nails dug into his wrists. I kicked at him, but he didn’t move.
“This is the worst you can do?” I forced out, my voice strained. “You coward.” His grip tightened. “You will never be a quarter of the man your brother is,” I choked. “That’s why your parents will always choose him over you.”
His eyes went wild, he squeezed harder. Dark spots began to form at the edge of my vision. I kept hitting his hands, trying to get free.
“What the hell are you doing?!” Maxwell’s voice thundered into the kitchen, Declan released me instantly. I gasped for air, sliding slightly against the cabinet as oxygen rushed back into my lungs.
But Maxwell was already moving, he didn’t hesitate. His fist connected with Declan’s face so hard that Declan stumbled backward and fell to the floor.
Maxwell followed him down, he grabbed his shirt and started punching him. Declan tried to shield his face, but Maxwell was beyond reasoning. Each punch landed with a sickening sound. Blood splattered across the tiles.
I stood there frozen, my hand was still on my throat. And somewhere deep inside me, I felt satisfaction. Declan’s lip split open. Blood poured from his mouth, his face was already swelling.
Maxwell finally stopped, he stood up slowly, breathing heavily. His knuckles were stained red. Declan lay on the floor, bleeding, barely moving.
“You come into my house,” Maxwell shouted, his voice shaking with rage, “and lay your hands on my woman?!”
His chest rose and fell rapidly. “How dare you!”
Maxwell stepped back, his chest rising fast, fists still clenched. “Get out,” he said coldly.
Declan slowly pushed himself off the floor. His lip was split, blood running down his chin, one eye already swelling.
“I said get out of my house. Now,” Maxwell repeated.
Declan wiped his mouth and looked at both of us.
His eyes were cold. “You will both regret this,” he said quietly.
Maxwell took a step forward, but Declan turned before he could touch him again. A moment later, the front door slammed.
Few hours later, I kept checking my phone every minute, waiting for calls from the kidnappers, but there has been radio silence since their call yesterday to request for cash. Maxwell said his accountant had the cash ready but still no call from them.
The silence was worse than the threat. My heart felt like it was being squeezed slowly. I couldn’t breathe properly. I couldn’t sit still. Why weren’t they calling?
A knock sounded at the front door, I froze. One of the maids hurried to answer it. Maxwell stepped out of his office at the same time, his eyes immediately finding mine. The maid came back seconds later.
She was holding a medium-sized box. “I found this outside the door,” she said nervously. “There was no one there.”
Maxwell moved forward, but I was faster. I rushed to the box and grabbed it from her hands. My fingers trembled as I pulled it open.
For a split second, my mind refused to process what I was seeing, then I saw it clearly, a small finger. Severed Inside the box.
The world tilted, the sound that left my throat didn’t even feel human and everything went black.