Chapter 4
Some commenters defended them: “What’s the problem? They can’t just wallow in grief forever.“[]
“This child better be well protected after it’s born.“[]
That’s when it hit
1 lost interest in
me
what Brielle’s “good news” was–she was pregnant too.[]
nding more and closed the page, turning instead to search for kidnapping cases in our city, trying to find clues on my own.
After hours of research, deep into the night, Knox suddenly called to say he needed to go on an urgent business trip for a few days. He told me to take care of myself and promised to pick up Jax from summer camp on his way back.
I laughed coldly and hung up.
He didn’t know, half an hour earlier, I’d already received a notification about Brielle’s latest social media update. She’d posted her prenatal report along with a photo of her hand intertwined with Knox’s, captioned:[]
ITo celebrate my twins pregnancy, Knox is taking me to Hawaii for vacation!)]
Knox had commented: [Hope they’re girls, beautiful just like you.]]]
Thinking about this, I went back to find her post and clicked “like.“[]
Shortly after, my phone rang again: “Hello, is this Riley Winters? This is the police department from Daleview City.“]
My heart instantly clenched at the word “police.“[]
“Yes, that’s me.”
“We’ve found your son Jax Riverstone’s body. Please come to Daleview City to identify him.”
I couldn’t help but cry, thanking them through my tears before immediately booking the next available flight.]
Four hours later, I landed in Daleview.
Throughout the journey, I kept remembering Jax’s sweet face, desperately hoping this was all a mistake.
My precious Jax was missing a finger, had no eyes, only one ear, and his body was badly decomposed.]]
Just before summer camp, he had happily promised to bring me berries when he returned.[]
And now this was our reunion!]]
M
But when I finally saw his remains, I collapsed beside him.]
over for
my helplessness.
I couldn’t imagine what my child had endured. I could only stroke his tiny body, blaming myself over and
After what seemed like forever my tears ran dry, leaving me numb as I mechanically patted Jax’s body–just like I used to do on countless nights when putting him to sleep.
A nearby officer was quietly sobbing, but continued his duty, gently helping me up to explain how
found him-
After falling Jax, the kidnappers had dumped his body in a remote reservoir.
His body had floated downstream into a river channel where a fisherman discovered it and reported it. By then, Jax’s unrecognizable. DNA testing confirmed his identity.
By the time he finished speaking, I had ground my teeth so hard that my lips bled.[]
was so swollen and distorted it was
“I’m truly sorry for your loss, ma’am. Please be assured we’ll investigate this case thoroughly and bring the criminals to justice,” some composure.
Just then, Knox called again But I didn’t answer.[]
After repeatedly calling and being ignored, he texted me:[]
The business trip is legitimate. I brought Brielle along since she understands certain company matters.]]
Even after Brielle has her babies, I won’t neglect our child, I promise.1]
fTake care of your pregnancy this time. Don’t cause trouble.
officer promised, helping me regain
Hmph. I should be happy for him, because I definitely wouldn’t be causing any more “trouble.” Whatever he did was no longer my concern
Collecting myself, I gave my statement at the police station, signed the body identification documents, and arranged for Jax’s temporary placement at a funeral home. By dawn after a night of painful arrangements, I found a hotel to rest briefly []
19.3%
Chapter
Just as I lay down, Brielle messaged: [Just arrived and Knox is already insisting on buying gifts for the babies. He spent hundreds of thousands in one go.]]
She followed with a flirtatious emoji.[]
I couldn’t be bothered and tossed my phone aside, but two minutes later, she sent another message: [Oops, sent to the wrong person! Don’t worry, Knox definitely loves your two children more.]
Reading this made me sick. Their act was painfully obvious. So I just turned off my phone.[]
When I woke up after sleeping for a few hours, my first action was contacting a lawyer. I had him prepare divorce papers and include my abortion medical records, then instructed him to mail everything to Knox. Afterward, I went out and changed my phone number before focusing entirely on Jax’s funera
Larrangements.
Days later in Hawaii, Knox received my package. Upon opening it, he was immediately furious, shoving away Brielle who was approaching him in lingerie. He grabbed his phone to text me.
[What gave you the right to abort my child, Riley? Is this your revenge?]]
[You’ve completely lost your mind!]]]
After seeing he’d been blocked, his anger intensified, but with Brielle present, he restrained himself. Later, while she was showering, he called his assistant: “Pick up Jax from summer camp tomorrow.”
His chest heaved with rage. He didn’t believe I could possibly divorce him, especially not for Jax’s sake.
But his assistant replied timidly: “Sir, the summer camp ended yesterday. I couldn’t pick up Jax.“]
“The counselor told me that Jax… is really dead.“]
