Chapter 2
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“Martin,” I whispered when he answered. My voice cracked, raw and desperate. “It’s me. Do you still want to marry me? If yes… then help me with the ransom for my daughter. I’ll do everything you say.”
For a moment, silence filled the line. Then laughter–low, mocking, unkind–spilled from the
other end.
“Wow,” Martin drawled. “So you finally came to your senses. Regretting choosing that bastard over me, aren’t you?”
I closed my eyes, breathing through the sting of his words. “If you’re going to laugh at me, and not help… then let’s not have this conversation again.”
“Alright, alright,” he said quickly, tone shifting, though I could still hear the smugness in it. “Don’t be so serious, Emerald. I’ll help. But remember your words. If I do this for you, then you’re mine. Forever. No running this time.”
“Yes,” I whispered, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Just make sure my daughter will be safe.”
“Good girl. Send me the details of the kidnappers, and I’ll deal with it. Five days. Be ready- I’ll pick you up.”
And then the call ended. I stared at the phone in my hand, my fingers trembling, my mind. screaming at me to hang up, to change my mind, to run. But what choice did I have? Being with my enemy back in college was better than depending on the man who swore to love me, only to replace me.
7
My thoughts dragged me backward, to the years I had wasted. Back in college, I had been so foolish, so certain. I had fallen in love with Leandro first. My heart beat only for him. So when my father demanded I marry him to merge our families‘ businesses, I didn’t even hesitate. I thought it was destiny–that he wanted me, too. For a time, it even felt true. He had been sweet, attentive, the perfect fiancé.
But that didn’t last. His true nature revealed itself slowly–whispers of late nights, lipstick–stained collars, excuses wrapped in lies. And then Nadine. My best friend. The betrayal was so sharp, I should have walked away then. But I stayed. Now I saw the price of my silence. And it was my daughter paying it.
I returned home with a weight crushing me from all sides. The house felt emptier than it had ever been. My hands shook as I pressed them against the dining table, trying to steady my breath. That was when I heard footsteps–heels clicking against the marble floor.
Nadine.
She stood there like she owned the place, her hand resting over her stomach, a smug smile on her lips. And then Leandro entered, his hand casually brushing her arm. My chest tightened with rage.
“What is she doing here?” I snapped.
Chapter 2
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“What is she doing here?” I snapped.
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“She’ll be staying with us for a while,” Leandro said casually, as if announcing the weather. “And you’ll be cooking. For her.”
I stared at him, stunned. “And why would I do that?”
“Because you’re the reason the baby is in danger. You should take responsibility.” His voice was sharp, commanding, as if I were nothing but a servant.
“I don’t want to,” I spat, shaking my head.
Leandro’s eyes hardened. “I’m not asking, Emerald. I’m ordering.” He stepped closer, his voice low and dangerous.
I pulled away, rage and heartbreak colliding in my chest. “I don’t want to. Let’s just divorce
now.”
He blinked, then laughed bitterly. “Divorce? Is that it? You’re threatening me with divorce because I asked you to cook for your friend?”
“You know that’s not it!” I shouted. “This is about Gwen! She’s kidnapped! And instead of helping me, you froze my accounts–you won’t even lift a finger to save her!”
Leandro sneered. “Gwen? Come on. You’re not even sure they have Gwen. What if they’re lying? Or… what if you’re using her to get money out of me?”
“What?” My voice broke.
“Why not?” His eyes narrowed. “Isn’t that the truth? You’re your father’s daughter. Have you forgotten how he scammed me and ran away? Maybe you’re just like him–using the child. to get what you want.”
His words cut deeper than knives. My heart squeezed so tight I could barely breathe.
“Leandro, do you even hear yourself?”
Before I could say more, Nadine’s soft voice cut in, feigning guilt. “Please… if this is my fault, don’t fight.”
“No,” Leandro snapped, glaring at me. “This is her fault–for not taking care of Gwen in the first place.”
I staggered back, my legs weakening, when the butler entered. He carried a small box, his expression pale.
“A delivery… for you, sir,” he said, handing it over.
Leandro opened it. Nadine gasped. I screamed.
Inside was a small toe. Gwen’s. Wrapped in cloth, stained in blood.
I collapsed to the floor, my body wracked with sobs. “Gwen…” My baby.
And then Leandro’s phone buzzed. He played the video the kidnappers sent. Gwen’s tiny voice echoed through the speakers, muffled by her cries. “Mommy… mommy, help…”
The kidnapper’s voice followed, cold and merciless. “If you don’t send the money, she
When my Daughter was Vidneseed My Husband Laughed so I left
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dies.”
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My chest shattered, but before I could beg, Leandro scoffed. “That’s a huge amount. I won’t waste my money on this. Just let her be. When the kidnappers realize we don’t care, they’ll return her.”
I stared at him, horrified. “Leandro! That’s my child-”
But he only smirked, turning toward Nadine. “After all, I still have another child.” He wrapped an arm around her, protective, possessive, and walked her away like I was nothing.
There I sat, on the cold marble floor, my tears falling endlessly. Realizing in that moment the brutal truth–Leandro had replaced me completely. Nadine wasn’t a secret anymore. She was his future. His priority. His family.
And I? I was nothing.
