Chapter 9
Dinner was a tense, silent affair.
Colton’s parents already knew about the incident earlier that evening. Their gaze toward Natalie brimmed with silent blame and disappointment.
She knew exactly what they were thinking–that her pettiness had upset Clarissa, ruining
everyone’s appetite.
Mr. Taylor gave his wife a look.
Catching on, Mrs. Taylor awkwardly picked up a dish and placed it in Natalie’s bowl.
“Natalie, try this one.”
She didn’t move. “Mom, I’m allergic to peanuts.”
Mrs. Taylor froze for a second, then quickly switched.
“Then have some of the fish. It’s good for the baby.”
Natalie didn’t even blink. “It’s spicy, Mom. You forgot?“.
The older woman slowly withdrew her knife & fork. The atmosphere turned even heavier.
Mr. Taylor finally sighed and set his knife & fork down.
“Natalie, that was out of line.”
“Your mother’s trying to care for you. Was that really necessary?”
Natalie shook her head. “So I should eat something that will make me physically ill just to spare her
feelings?”
Her calm rebuttal only made Mr. Taylor angrier.
“That’s enough, Natalie! Is this how you talk to your
elders?”
“Don’t think I don’t see it–you’re holding a grudge because of that misunderstanding with Nate
and Clarissa!”
“Ever since Clarissa moved in, you’ve been nitpicking everything she does–showing her attitude.”
“We’ve tolerated you so far, but what are you trying to prove now?”
“Think you’re better than the rest of us?”
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Natalie quietly set down her knife & fork. “I’m done. I’ll be going back to my room.”
Colton snapped.
“Natalie, they’re trying to be nice. They’re giving you a way out. And this is how you act?”
“Sit down and finish your food. Stop acting like a drama queen.”
“We’ve already apologized for the misunderstanding. What more do you want?”
Natalie drew in a sharp breath, then looked at the two elders.
“So if I eat what makes me sick, I’m allowed to leave?”
They didn’t say a word.
Without hesitation, Natalie picked up the bowl and swallowed every bite–hives already blooming across her skin. She didn’t chew, just forced it down.
Hives broke out across her skin almost immediately.
The others tried to stop her, but it was too late.
She didn’t look at anyone as she got up and walked to her room.
Just two more days, Natalie thought.
Two more days and I’ll be gone. For good.
Her body was on fire, but maybe sleep would dull the pain.
She climbed into bed early, but in the middle of the night, the agony woke her.
The itching was unbearable. No one came to help.
She had to drag herself out of bed and head to the drugstore on her own.
She barely made it a hundred yards outside when something heavy slammed into the back of her
head.
When she woke up, Natalie found herself hanging from the ceiling–bound and suspended.
Next to her, Clarissa was tied up as well.
A figure stood nearby, but she couldn’t make out who it was. Still, something about him felt
familiar.
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Her voice trembled, but she tried to sound stronger than she felt.
“Who are you? What do you want?”
“If it’s money, just say how much. My husband’s Commander Blackwood–my father’s a high–ranking officer too. If you hurt us, you’ll regret it.”
The man stepped into the light.
Natalie’s body went rigid, her blood running cold.
It was that old creep–the one who’d almost raped her years ago.
“Well, well. Look who’s back. Miss Greene.”
“Clarissa promised me a bride back then. You were right in my hands, and then your boyfriend had me locked up for over a decade.”
“Now I’m out, and I’m here to settle the score.”
Natalie gritted her teeth. “You got what you deserved.”
“I’m warning you–let us go and I won’t press charges. But if you lay a finger on us again, you
won’t just get another ten years.”
The man–Walt–grinned with a sick kind of glee.
“Word is, your darling husband and that little sister of yours have a kid now.”
“You really think he’ll still pick you?”
Natalie froze.
“I wanna see who he chooses–his wife or the mother of his child.”
Before long, Colton arrived with his team, fury written all over his face.
“Walt, you’ve got a death wish.”
“You think you can take on my entire squad? Let them
go now!”
Walt stepped behind Natalie and stabbed her thigh with a knife.
She cried out in pain.
“Don’t think your rank means shit to me, Captain Lowell,” he sneered.
“One more word, and I’ll stab her somewhere more important.”
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Colton’s face drained of color as he stared at Natalie’s bleeding leg.
Just then, Clarissa regained consciousness–and immediately screamed in terror.
“Colton! Help me!”
Walt ran the knife along her skin.
“I want what I came for.”
Colton’s men brought in a suitcase full of cash.
Walt smirked.
“Pick one.”
“Your wife, or your sister–in–law.”
“The one you don’t choose stays with me.”
Colton’s jaw clenched. “Don’t play games with me.
})
“I never said you could take them both,” Walt said. “I’ve been locked up for years. I want a woman
to give me a big, healthy son.”
Colton’s eyes burned with rage.
“Shut your filthy mouth and let them go!”
Walt laughed maniacally. “Relax, Captain. I’ve got nothing to lose.”
“If I die, I’ll take a beautiful woman with me. That’s a win in my book.”
Clarissa wept hysterically.
“Colton, please! Little Joey is waiting for me at home. I can’t die–he’s just a baby!”
“He’s your son too! Can you really leave him without a mother?”
Colton froze. His eyes instinctively darted toward Natalie.
She only offered a broken smile.
“Have you decided yet?” Walt roared, eyes wild with glee.
Still no response.
So Walt drove his knife straight into Natalie’s abdomen.
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She screamed as blood gushed from her side.
“Pick, or they both die!”
“I’m counting down–three… two…”
“I choose Clarissa!”
Colton’s voice cracked.
“I choose… Clarissa…”
“I’m sorry, Natalie. I can’t let Joey lose his mom.‘
“Hang in there. I’ll come back for you.”
He scooped Clarissa into his arms and turned to leave.
Natalie heard Walt’s triumphant laugh behind her.
“See? For all his talk, he still left you.”
“Clarissa was right about him all along.”
Clarissa?
Realization struck Natalie like lightning.
“This whole kidnapping… it was your plan.”
Walt didn’t answer. But the truth was obvious.
Clarissa hadn’t just wanted her gone. She wanted her destroyed.
Walt’s filthy hands roamed over Natalie’s body.
Memories she’d tried so hard to bury came flooding back.
Her entire body trembled with revulsion.
“Don’t touch me…”
H
Her whisper was too weak to stop him.
Natalie could feel herself slipping away, blood pouring from her wounds.
But just before blacking out, she grabbed something from the floor and slammed it into the back of
Walt’s head.
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He stumbled.
“You little bitch-
Before he could retaliate, Natalie forced herself to her feet, lit a match, and dropped it onto a pile of
flammable debris.
The old warehouse erupted into flames.
She staggered toward the exit.
Through the blaze, she saw Colton carrying Clarissa to safety.
“Colton Lowell!”
He turned, eyes wide in shock.
There she stood, soaked in blood, clothes torn, silhouetted by fire–her expression one of
soul–crushing despair.
“Natalie, no–don’t do this!”
She didn’t listen. Her voice rang out, strong and final:
“Colton Lowell, in the next life—I never want to see you again.”
Then she turned and walked back into the fire.
“No-!”
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