9
Soon after, Ethan called off the wedding.
It was all over the news. Everyone was talking
about it.
I was packing my bags, ready to leave the
country.
My sister and her husband had gotten funding
for a new business overseas.
We were moving together.
<
The Rileys couldn’t reach us there.
And I wanted to give Riley a fresh start,
without Ethan.
Bethany blamed me for ruining everything.
I knew she wouldn’t let Ethan go without a
fight.
And Ethan announced that Savannah wasn’t
his daughter.
Bethany went crazy and lashed out.
She kidnapped Riley.
My sister had taken Riley to the playground.
<
Halfway through the day, she called me,
frantic. Riley was gone.
I called the police and raced to the park.
I suddenly remembered a threatening
message from Bethany.
“Riley, I’m going to take Ethan from you!”
I opened the message and realized it wasn’t
finished.
I thought she wanted Ethan.
I didn’t want him, so I ignored her.
Now I understood.
I sent the message to the police, and they
started tracking Bethany.
But Bethany and Savannah had vanished.
I thought Ethan might be able to reach her. I
called him.
Ethan arrived quickly and said he would find
her.
Just then, my phone rang.
It was Bethany.
“Riley, why did you come back? Savannah
doesn’t have a father, and it’s your fault! You
ruined our lives! If you want your daughter,
trade places with her!”
Ethan told the police and rushed me to the
scene.
Bethany’s hair was a mess. She screamed
when she saw me.
Seeing Ethan with me seemed to push her
over the edge.
She started laughing.
“Honey, I got your daughter back! We’re
getting rid of this bitch. Then we can be a
family!”
Ethan held me back and slowly walked toward
Bethany.
“Baby, you’re the best. But let me hold Riley
first. I don’t want her to get hurt.”
Ethan was close to getting her, but Bethany grabbed Riley and held her over a cliff.
“You’re lying! You’re working with her. You
won’t let me be happy, so I’m gonna ruin you too!”
As she was about to drop her, my heart stopped.
Seeing how desperate things were, Ethan said,
“I’ve got Savannah. If you don’t put Riley
down, she dies too! Don’t move!”
Bethany froze.
She hadn’t expected Ethan to go after her
child. Her eyes glazed over and she collapsed.
Ethan gestured, and his bodyguard grabbed Riley.
Bethany lunged forward. Ethan shoved her off the cliff.
There was a deep canyon below her.
Ethan turned around and saw the police
arrive.
Ethan handed Riley to me.
Then he raised his hands and was taken
away.
