Chris’s POVMeghan’s expression hardened, and she leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. “I don’t care about your family drama, Chris. I’m pregnant with your child, and I need to make arrangements for myself and the baby.”I ran my hand through my hair, frustration mounting. “Look, I understand that this is a difficult situation, but I need time to figure things out. I can’t just hand over a large sum of money to you and never have to see my child again. That would like like selling him or her to you.” And the very thought disgusted me. “This is not only your child, and I have made my decision. I need to leave with my boyfriend for Cyprus very soon,” She replied. “Like I said, if you can’t give me my money, then I would just have to ruin your life and marriage.” She shrugged, daringly smirking at me. And bingo, an idea popped into my head. It was not the brightest and most modest of ideas that I had but it would have to do. If she wanted to blackmail me, then I think I could do the sa
Linda’s POVIt was a new day, I was showering and the warm water felt like heaven. It cascaded over my body and I closed my eyes, enjoying the bliss. After the shower, I wrapped myself in a plush towel and stepped out into the cool air of the bathroom. The steam from the shower lingered in the air, creating a comforting atmosphere as I dried off and began to get ready for the day ahead. I knew that Chris was coming today, and he would be reaching by seven in the evening. I did not know if seven was considered evening or night, but either way, that was when he was supposed to land in China. I knew about what had happened to his family. It was all on the news and on talk shows. It was crazy. But I think I knew before the arrest even happened. I could remember that afternoon after Fallon had gotten the arrest warrant. It was the day I was set free. She had drawn another contract up but this one was to point out that I was now free from her. I did not have to kill anyone again. I did
Linda’s POVI quickened my pace, trying to shake off the unease that gripped me. Glancing around, I didn’t see anyone who stood out, but the sensation persisted, gnawing at the edges of my mind like a persistent itch. Was I just being paranoid? I would understand because the past couple of weeks had been a rollercoaster. With a nervous glance over my shoulder, I hastened my steps, the sound of my heels clicking against the pavement echoing in the empty corridor. The dim lighting added to the eerie atmosphere, casting long shadows that danced along the walls. As I approached the entrance to the parking lot, I fumbled for my keys, my heart pounding in my chest. Damn, I needed to stop doing this to myself. There was no one here. But I just could not help it. Just a few steps and I would be safe inside my car, away from whatever unseen presence was making my skin crawl. But before I could reach the door, a voice cut through the silence like a knife, freezing me in place. “Linda.” T
Linda’s POVMy heart sank at Kirby’s words, a cold knot of dread forming in the pit of my stomach. Whatever she had planned for me, certainly did not sound promising. I was so stupid, I was. I was stupid for thinking that everything was finally going to be okay now. I was stupid for thinking that I could be happy and start anew with my husband. Maybe I just didn’t deserve a simple or quiet life. Maybe chaos was all that was written in the cards for me. The car was going faster than I had ever driven a car and even if my hands and feet weren’t tied, there would be no way that I could jump out. So I just gave up and waited in fear and nervousness as to where this crazy lady was taking me. We were soon out of the city and heading towards the rural outskirts, where the landscape transformed from bustling streets to rolling hills and dense forests. It reminded me of when Fallon, Mitch, and I were going on the little road trip. But that was obviously not where we were headed right now.
Linda’s POVKirby untied me and studied me for a few seconds before she walked out of the room and closed the door, leaving me in the almost dark, cold, and smelly room. My heart thumped in my chest and I felt so queasy but maybe that was because of how badly the room was. I rubbed my hands and then my feet, feeling a bit better now that I was untied. But how in the world was I going to get out of this situation? I felt tired and wanted to sit down, but the only way to do that was by sitting on the floor which looked like there was puke spilled all over it. Or it would be the thin dirty mattress. I chose the mattress. I lowered myself onto the mattress, wincing as the musty odor filled my senses. I resisted the urge to vomit and tried to ignore the smell. The bed was uncomfortable and dirty, but at least it offered some semblance of relief from the hard, cold floor. As I sat there in the dim light, my mind raced with a million thoughts and fears. How long would Kirby keep me here?
Linda’s POVThe tension was thick in the air and my heart was thumping in my chest as fear danced in me. I waited with bated breath for what Kirby was about to do. For now, in these couple of seconds that felt like hours, she was just staring at me.“What kind of information did you help Fallon with?” She broke the silence as she led me out of the room, holding onto my arm tightly. I did not struggle against her pull, I did not want to make things worse for me. So I just followed where she was leading me, although it was hard for me because my feet and hands were tied.Again, I was contemplating whether I should tell her everything that I knew. It could make things worse for me, but again, withholding may do just the same.“I don’t know,” I told her the truth. “I told you, I’m not here for games, Linda,” She replied coldly, pushing me into a metal chair that sat in the middle of the empty space. “I swear, I don’t! I only helped her get what she wanted. And found out about the char
Linda’s POVTerror gripped me as the wet towel covered my face once again, cutting off my air supply. I struggled against the bonds that held me to the chair, panic rising within me like a tidal wave. Kirby’s laughter echoed in the room, cruel and unforgiving. “I need more, Linda. I feel like you’re still keeping things from me!” She taunted, her voice barely audible through the soaked fabric pressed against my face. I thrashed against the restraint, desperate for air, for freedom. But her grip on the towel was relentless, the water she was pouring seeping into every crevice, suffocating me. Just when I thought I couldn’t hold on any longer, the pressure on my face lifted, and I gasped for air, my chest heaving with exertion. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I struggled to regain my composure, the fear still strangling me. “Ready to talk now, dear?” Her voice cut through the silence, cold and calculated. I was exhausted, I was barely hanging on. “The codes, you can find a way to
Linda’s POVMr. Kingston stood in the doorway, his expression unreadable as he looked at me. His presence raised goosebumps on my skin, reminding me of the danger I was in. How was he out of jail? I knew that he, his wife, and his son had been arrested. So how was this possible? Was there a bail hearing already? And if there had been one, then it was obvious that they had won the case. That meant they could walk free until the trial, they just did not have the luxury of leaving the country. So yeah, it surprised me that he was here, in China. He should have not been allowed to leave London. But of course, he was a Kingston, he was almost above the law. “Linda,” He said, stepping into the room. He was wearing a suit that looked like it cost a lot, and I could bet my life on it that it did. He had his hands in his pockets and although it seemed like he was calm, I could see the rage in his eyes. “Mr. Kingston…you have to understand…”“Shhh…” He stopped me from going further. He the