Chapter 2

2

"Rainey? Are you there? If you hurry, you might see Caleb one last time."

Silas spoke tentatively when I didn't respond for a long time.

"…Fine. I'm coming."

I faked a voice full of grief and hung up the phone.

I didn't have a second to waste. I checked my phone―Yara's GPS smartwatch was still on.

The signal was near Silas's retreat, but it was moving fast toward the highway.

I immediately dialed the police.

"Hello? I believe my daughter is being kidnapped! The vehicle likely just left Silas's Mountain Retreat in the West Hills. Please, you have to intercept them!"

The operator became alert instantly. I provided all the descriptions and personal details.

She assured me that patrol cars in the area were being deployed.

Thinking of my poor daughter made my heart ache with a violent physical pain.

I never imagined her own father and grandmother would sell her to human traffickers for money.

This time, I will save you, even if it costs me my life!

I couldn't afford to break down yet. I called my boss to take leave and raced toward the retreat.

……

"Silas, where is my daughter!"

I screamed the moment I saw him.

He wiped the sweat from his forehead, looking heartbroken.

"Rainey, calm down. Yara was already sent to the hospital. But Caleb… he's gone. I kept him here so you could say goodbye."

He pointed toward the small courtyard. A body was lying silently under the sun.

The heat was blistering, at least 104 degrees. The retreat courtyard had low walls and offered zero shade.

My husband, that bastard Caleb, was really committed to the act. It was high noon, and the ground was hot enough to fry an egg.

"Are you sure he's dead?"

"Yeah… the paramedics who took Yara checked him. They confirmed he was gone. We're just waiting for the coroner's certificate."

Silas was lying through his teeth. His eyes never left my hands.

"Rainey… just look from here. Don't go closer. It's a gruesome sight, and I don't want you to collapse."

Just like in my previous life, Silas tried to keep me away. He was terrified I would actually examine the "corpse."

But I wasn't that fragile, grieving woman anymore.

I shoved Silas aside with all my strength and ran toward Caleb's "body."

I had been practicing boxing for years. My arms were toned, and my strength caught him off guard.

The scrawny Silas stumbled back, then tried to rush forward to grab me.

I pulled a sharp paring knife out of my bag, which I had prepared beforehand.

"Is there something you're hiding about my husband's death? Why won't you let me see him!"

Silas froze, clearly not expecting this reaction.

His lips trembled as he spoke.

"Rainey, what are you saying? Be reasonable! Caleb has been my best friend for years. Why would I hurt him?"

"Then why didn't you send him to the hospital with Yara? Why are you keeping me away from his body!"

I sneered, acting like a woman driven mad by grief. I stood over the body, swinging the knife to keep Silas back.

As I yelled, my other hand reached down and flipped up a corner of the white sheet.

Caleb's eyes were tightly shut. He didn't move a muscle, but his face was dripping with sweat.

I confirmed it was really him. I felt a sense of relief and tucked the sheet back over him carefully.

I began to wail loudly while waving the knife.

"I've already called the police! Nobody touches my husband until the authorities get here!"