-8
On the day of discharge, the hospital room was eerily empty.
Carice knew Rufus had gone to find Annalise again.
In three years of marriage, the days he spent by her side could be counted on one hand.
She’d grown accustomed to it, silently waiting for her immigration paperwork to be approved.
Meanwhile, Annalise’s social media updates never stopped-
Skiing in Switzerland, the Eiffel Tower, island sunsets. In every photo, Rufus’s gaze was unbearably tender.
The latest post showed them at a mountain base–Rufus’s slender fingers adjusting Annalise’s scarf as he tied it snugly, while she leaned against his chest with a radiant smile. The caption read: [He promised to show me the whole world.]
Carice scrolled past calmly, as if viewing a stranger’s feed.
Three days later, the immigration office finally called to confirm her documents were ready.
She immediately took a taxi there. After collecting her passport and visa, she visited the law firm to retrieve the divorce agreement and Adult Child’s Petition to Sever Legal Ties.
Everything was in order. She could finally leave.
Carice carefully folded the divorce agreement and the severance statement, then tucked them into the innermost compartment of her bag.
Just as she zipped it up, her phone screen suddenly lit up..
Annalise Carice, let’s have a talk.j
Carice: *About what?]
Annalise: “You’ve held the position of Mrs. Sackhoff for three years. It’s time to give it back.J
Carice curled her lips into a cold smile and replied directly-“It’s already returned
After sending it, she tossed her phone into her bag and walked home without leaking back.
When she pushed open the door, the sensor light in the entryway surprisingly didn’t turn on.
Frowning she fumbled for the wall switch when suddenly a sharp pain exploded at the back of her head-
Before her consciousness faded, she heard Annalise speaking to a man.
When she woke again, a biting wind lashed her face. Carice jerked her eyes open to find herself dangling from a cliff’s edge!
The rough rope dug into her wrists, and beneath her feet was a bottomless abyss.
She strained to turn her head and saw Annalise also hanging not far away, her face ghostly pale and trembling violently.
“Awake?” The kidnapper stood nearby, sneering around a cigarette, “Don’t worry, your man will be here soon.
As soon as he spoke, the roar of engines echoed in the distance
Several black SUVs sped over, screeching to a halt at the cliff’s edge
The doors opened, and Rufus strode forward.
Dressed in a black trench coat, his features were icy, and the aura around him was terrifyingly oppressive. The
“The money’s yours. Release them,” His voice was low, carrying an undeniable command.
The kidnapper grinned:“As expected of Mr. Sackhoff, efficient.”
He took the briefcase handed by the bodyguard, confirmed the amount, then waved his hand. “They are yours. You can save them now.”
With that, he left with his group, swaggering away.
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Carice hung mid–air, the rope already loosening, gravel from the cliff edge crumbling down.
She clenched her teeth, forcing herself to stay calm.
“Rufus! I’m so scared!” Annalise cried pitifully, “Save me…”
The bodyguard quickly checked the rope and grimaced.“Mr. Sackhoff, the ropes won’t hold for long. We can only save one at a time.”
Rufus didn’t hesitate for even a second, walking straight toward Annalise
At the same time, Mr. and Mrs. Thwaites‘ car arrived.
As soon as they got out, they saw the scene by the cliff and gasped:“Annalise!”
“Save Annalise first! Hurry! She’s frail, she can’t take this!” Mrs. Thwaites voice was shrill, almost cracking.
Mr. Thwaites rushed over to help, and the three of them quickly pulled Annalise up.
Meanwhile, the rope holding Carice was already making ominous snapping sounds,
“Snap-
She suddenly dropped a section, gravel from the cliff edge cumbling down, vanishing into the bottomless darkness below!
The bodyguard dashed forward in a flash, gripping the rope tightly.
The rough hemp rope out into his palm, blood dripping between his fingers as he finally pulled the person up.
Carice collapsed onto the ground, her wrists rubbed raw and bloody. She looked up-
Rufus was cradling Annalise in his arms, his thumb gently wiping away her tears, his voice so tender it could mek: “Don’t be afraid, I’m here.”
Mr. Thwaites hurriedly draped a coat over his adopted daughter, while Mrs. Thwaites cupped her face, examining her anxiously, “My darling. you scared mommy to death.”
How ironic–her husband, her parents, cared less about her than a stranger did.
The group shielded Annalise as they headed to the car, no one sparing a thought for her well–being.
“Madam… the bodyguard hesitated, “Are you alright?”
Carice slowly stood up, dusted herself off, and suddenly smiled.
“Thank you for saving me,” she said softly, “Could you do me one more favor?”
She pulled out two prepared documents from her bag the divorce agreement and the Adult Child’s Petition to Sever Legal Ties–and handed them to the bodyguard.
“Deliver these
gifts to my parents and Rufus.”
The bodyguard didn’t scrutinize them or ask questions, simply nodding as he took them: “Yes, I’ll do it right away.”
Carice stood still, watching the bodyguard approach Rufus.
Rufus didn’t lift his head, saying coldly,“At that FKing time? I’m still looking at the gift she sent? Throw it in the car.”
Mr. Thwaites and Mrs. Thwaites also didn’t pay any attention, only focused on comforting Annalise:“You’re terrified, aren’t you? Mama will take you home…”
The bodyguard had no choice but to stuff the documents into the car.
Carice watched this scene and suddenly hughed, her eyes burning with the intensity of her smile.
It’s okay. Sooner or later, they’ll see.
She turned and walked toward the highway without looking back, hailing a taxi.
“Airport, please.”
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The car door closed, and the engine started.
In the rearview mirror, Rufus carried Annalise into the car, with Mr. Thwaites and Mrs. Thwaites following closely behind-not a single one of them glanced back at her.
Carice withdrew her gaze, looked at the scenery speeding past outside the window, and gently closed her eyes.
It’s okay. From now on, her life won’t include these people anymore.
The taxi accelerated away, carrying her toward a brand–new life.
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