6
Three days passed quickly. Liam intimately linked his arm through mine, and under the relieved gazes of my parents, we got into the car headed for the airport.
The car drove smoothly towards the airport. Just as we were about to turn onto the on–ramp for the airport highway, a black sedan suddenly sped from the side, cutting us off and forcing us to a stop.
Liam slammed on the brakes, a flicker of anger crossing his face: “What the hell??”
The car door opened, and Maya, wearing a baseball cap, quickly walked over.
Liam’s expression instantly changed. He gripped my wrist tightly, alert.
Maya walked straight to my car window, her voice gentle: “Anya, have a good trip. You forgot your passport. Your mom asked me to bring it to you.”
Maya’s voice was urgent. She pulled open the car door, shoved a passport holder into my hand, and seized the chance to pull me out of the car.
“What are you doing?!” Liam roared, trying to get out to stop her.
Just then, Maya whispered in my ear, so quickly I could barely make it out: “Anya, the police have set up a perimeter, but the hideout’s location is still unknown.”
“They need your cooperation. This is a tracker and a voice recorder, hidden in the passport holder. Safety first, you can back out anytime. Our people will be following you the whole time.”
After she finished, she quickly patted my lower back reassuringly.
I tightened my grip on the passport holder and turned to Liam in the car, forcing a smile: “It’s fine. Let’s go.”
My docility seemed to make him lower his guard.
After getting my passport back, I got back into the car. Maya waved at us and quickly disappeared into the crowd.
Liam gave me a few suspicious glances, but seeing me still appear submissive, he eventually dismissed his doubts.
After the plane landed, we were picked up by a battered old van with black–tinted windows.
The van bounced along a bumpy dirt road for nearly two hours, finally stopping in front of an isolated country estate.
I was escorted out of the car by two silent, burly men and led into the main house of the estate.
My heart sank to my stomach. I gripped Liam’s arm tightly, my voice trembling: “Liam, what kind of place is this?”
Liam’s face was ashen, his forehead covered in cold sweat.
He forced himself to stay calm, patting my hand, and whispered: “Don’t be scared, Anya. Trust me, it’ll be over soon.”
We were led further into the estate. The scam boss sat on a sofa.
Liam abruptly pushed me towards the boss. I stumbled, turning back to him in shock.
“Boss,” Liam pulled documents from his briefcase, pointed at me, his voice strained: “The person… I’ve brought her.”
“The property transfer documents under my wife’s name are all here. I can give you the password. Now, can you give Chloe back to me and let us go?”
I was struck as if by lightning. All the blood in my body seemed to freeze at that moment.
An exchange?
So Liam had lured me into this den of thieves, disregarding the danger, and given away all my assets, all for Chloe!
Liam, you’re truly devoted, aren’t you?!
The boss watched the scene with interest and laughed.
He gestured towards the second floor: “A lovesick fool. Interesting.”
“Go, bring his little lover down. I want to see this touching reunion.”
Soon, Chloe was brought down from upstairs.
Seeing Liam, tears immediately welled up in her eyes. She rushed to him and hugged him, her voice trembling: “Liam!”
>
“I was so scared… I was so scared I’d never see you again!”
Liam hugged her back, tenderly stroking her hair, softly comforting her: “Chloe, don’t be scared. I’m here.”
“They didn’t do anything to you, did they?”
“It’s fine, it’s all over now. I brought Anya. We’ll be able to leave here soon.”
O
Hearing that, Chloe turned and looked at me, her voice mocking: “Sister, see? Brother–in–law loves me most.“‘
“Unlike you, you’ll be stuck experiencing hellish life here.”
The boss stood up and slowly walked over to Liam, patting his face like he was patting a dog: “Leave?”
“Young man, have you been watching too many movies?”
“I only promised to let you bring her here,
you
another chance to see your little lover. I never promised to let you go.”
Liam instantly lost all color in his face, his lips trembling, his voice shaking: “Boss, didn’t we agree…”
