Chapter 12
Wilder’s heart felt like it was being ripped apart, one piece at a time. His fists clenched so hard that his knuckles turned white.
Suddenly, he turned to Ben, gripping his arm with force.
“Get them out,” he ordered through gritted teeth.
Ben didn’t even bother answering. He had been waiting for this. He turned and stormed out.
In the depths of the underground cell that night, screams echoed off the walls.
The women who had brutalized Summer were now hanging by their wrists, blood dripping from their bodies, staining the floor beneath them.
“It wasn’t us! We were just doing what we were paid to do!”
“Yeah, yeah! It was that woman by your side who told us what to do. She said if we did a good job, we’d be released early!”
“We have proof! We recorded it–we’ll play it for you!”
Despite being on the verge of collapse, they clung to the hope of survival, selling out their employer without hesitation.
One of the recordings played.
“You want us to beat Summer? Are you insane? Do you even know who she is?”
“Wilder treasures her like his life. Touching a single hair on her head would get us all killed. You’ve got the wrong people, lady–we’re not taking this job.”
Then came a woman’s cold, mocking laugh. Wilder’s body stiffened. That voice–he knew it too
well.
“What do you idiots know? Wilder loves her? Don’t make me laugh. Do you even know who I am? Take a look at this.”
“A marriage certificate…? Female: Grace Caldwell… Male: Wilder? Wait, what?! Isn’t Wilder married to Summer? This… this can’t be real!”
“Look closer. This is the official certificate. Wilder personally brought me back to the States to get married. The one Summer has is fake! Now you tell me who’s his real wife?”
“Do as I say, and I’ll make sure you’re all well–compensated. Be brutal. I want that bitch crippled. Hit her where it counts. I want her womb destroyed so she can never have kids in this lifetime!” Chapter 12 LE!
7.84%
Ben couldn’t listen anymore. He grabbed a whip from the wall and lashed it hard against one of the women strung up before him.
Before they could even start pleading again, another blow landed, then another–merciless,
relentless.
Wilder said nothing. He simply picked up his car keys and walked away.
When he arrived, Grace lit up with joy and rushed to embrace him.
“Wilder! Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? Were you missing me? Or… maybe our baby?”
She giggled shyly and slid her hand down toward his waist.
But the moment her hand made contact, he gripped her wrist with iron force.
She cried out in pain, startled by the cold fury in his eyes.
“W–Wilder? What’s wrong? Did I say something? Just talk to me–please?”
“You’re hurting me-‘
Before she could finish, his other hand shot out and clamped around her throat.
Her eyes rolled back as her fingernails dug into his hand, trying desperately to loosen his grip.
She couldn’t breathe. Her face turned red. Her feet left the floor.
“Th–the baby-!” she choked out.
With a low snarl, Wilder threw her to the ground like she was nothing but trash.
Grace curled on the floor, clutching her belly, her face pale and contorted in pain.
“Wilder… what are you doing?! I’m pregnant with your child! You were going to kill me!”
His voice dropped to a chilling growl.
“Grace Caldwell… I truly underestimated you.”
Chapter 12
