Chapter 8
Liam looked considerably thinner.]
He handed me the divorce certificate.
“Savannah’s in prison. Attempted murder charges. She likely won’t get out in this lifetime.”
I nodded, turning to leave when he called after me.[]
“Miranda, will we ever see each other again?”
“As friends, or… as strangers.”
His voice broke with emotion.
For the first time, he lost his composure in front of me.
0
“Whether you believe it or not, I truly loved you. The ten years we spent together were the happiest of my life. The reason I was drawn to Savannah was because she reminded me of you when you were younger.”
“I made up excuses to contact you just to hear your voice again.“]
“Miranda, I don’t want to lose you…”
1 didn’t answer and didn’t look back.
The blizzard had ended. Love had run its course.]
I had my own path to follow now.
Chapter
Chapter 1
My world shattered when my son disappeared from summer camp, and the kidnappers demanded fifty million for his return.
I frantically called my billionaire husband, but his response left me cold. “You’re just staging this whole thing to compete with Brielle for attention. Today is her birthday. If you need to create drama, couldn’t you pick another time?”
Brielle, standing beside him, spoke up, “Knox, Jax is your biological son, after all. Your wife wouldn’t use something this serious just to cause trouble. Maybe we should call the 911.”
Hearing this, I actually believed Brielle was genuinely trying to help me.
But I couldn’t imagine how wrong I was. She didn’t call the authorities–instead, she alerted every media outlet she could find, leaking the story that the billionaire’s son had been kidnapped.[]
Within hours, the internet exploded with coverage. I panicked and immediately knelled down to beg everyone not to alert the kidnappers.
But, Knox acted completely unbothered. “Brielle is helping you. Stop being so dramatic, would you?“[]
Three days later, the package arrived. The kidnappers had sent my son’s little fingers to to indicate that son’s death. That’s when the hatred I felt toward Knox and Brielle reached its peak.
Looking at my child’s tiny finger, the blood already dark and congealed, unbearable rage and grief shot through my brain. My vision blurred and my chest felt like it was being torn apart as blood rushed into my mouth.
Outside, reporters swarmed our door, broadcasting the devastating news to the world.[]
“Breaking news: Billionaire Knox Riverstone’s son has been murdered by kidnappers!“[]
“After three days of intensive search efforts, tragically, the child couldn’t be saved.“[]
“Police have reached the crime scene, but the perpetrators have vanished. We’ll continue to follow this developing story.”
…0
Their voices outside the door turned into a deafening ringing in my ears. I knew that without their widespread reporting, the kidnappers wouldn’t have killed my son so quickly. I had promised them their fifty million.
Bue I couldn’t blame the media. My hatred was reserved for Brielle Morgan who leaked the story, and especially for Knox Riverstone–Jax’s father who couldn’t be bothered to care about his own son’s life. Because over the past three days, everything I thought I knew about this man had been completely
shattered…
On the first day, I begged Knox not to let the online public outcry reach the abductors. I could just deliver the fifty million to the designated location, we might still save
our son.
He responded with maddening calmness: “Riley, of course I’ll save the kid. But fifty million isn’t pocket change. Let’s wait a bit longer.“]
On the second day, I followed his advice and waited. What I got instead was news that he and Brielle had purchased a luxury estate in a resort area, which was worth over a hundred million
I confronted him, almost out of my mind with rage: “So our son’s life means nothing to you? That estate could save Jax’s life four times over!“]]
His response remained cold and detached. “Riley, stop overreacting. Jax is a boy–a little character building won’t hurt him. Why are you panicking? Maybe he’ll escape on his own.”
0
“Those lidnappers wouldn’t dare actually harm Knox Riverstone’s son. And I already told you, once I gather enough money, I’ll save him…“]
I couldn’t bear to listen anymore.
“Once you gather enough money?” The words were unbelievable. Knox was the wealthiest man in the city. He could sell just one property and save our son’s life immediately. He simply didn’t want toll
By the third day, Knox had completely disappeared. Desperate. I sold all my designer bags, jewelry, and luxury items, but only managed to raise less than ten million.]
1 frantically contacted Knox’s friends and business partners, hoping they might lend me money temporarily.
But they either hung up immediately or politely declined–as if they’d been instructed beforehand []
Suddenly, loud banging on the door from reporters trying to get in interrupted my thoughts.]
I wiped away my tears, found a piece of gauze, and carefully wrapped my son’s tiny finger.
Then I opened the door and fell to my knees: “Please help me find my son’s body as quickly as possible.”
16.5
Chapter 1
“Can you stop reporting on this now? I can’t bear having my wounds reopened over and over again.“]]
After saying these words, I began to knock my head against the floor repeatedly until blood appeared, until a compassionate reporter couldn’t watch anymore and helped me up.
Right at that moment, Knox returned with Brielle by his side.
“Well, well. Quite the commotion we have here.”
