Chapter 60
Rylie Ryker…
That was all I could think of the moment I opened my eyes. But it was dark–too dark
I tried to call their names, but nothing came out of my mouth.
And then I felt i
I was floating and then falling_
Into a nightmare in
But this time. I wasn’t living in it.
I was watching it
Suddenly, I was standing in a dimly lit room, staring at her.
Camille.
She’s lying on a dirty mattress, arms wrapped protectively around her swollen belly. Her eyes were shut tightly, pretending to sleep
There were bruises all over her face. She was trembling from the cold
She looked pitiful. A mess.
I took a step forward, my hands reaching out, desperate to touch her, to help her escape this nightmare.
But I couldn’t
Because I was nothing but a ghost in my own past.
Then-
The door burst open.
Two prople entered.
A man with an X–shaped scar on his face, and a woman–pregnant, 100.
“We should just kill her.” The man’s voice was low and sharp, laced
d with ami
amusement, as if the idea thrilled him.
“Not yet,” the woman, Megan, replied, shooting him a glare. “We wait for the boss’s orders. We can’t rush things. And tell those bastards to stop abusing her. The boss only ordered us to take and lock her up. What if he gets mad?”
The man scoffed. “Stop it, Megan. Don’t tell me you’re growing soft just because she’s pregnant, too. She’s that monster’s wife
The woman, Megan, stepped closer to Camille, her expression unreadable. She looked down at her with a hint of something almost like sympathy But when she turned back to the man, her lips curled into a smirk.
“Of course, I know that. But what if we were wrong in abducting this woman? You saw the news–Liam Anderson publicly admitted his divorce from her and is shamelessly parading his lover… the twin sister of this poor woman”
I turned my head to Camille. I could feel her pain, of course, because we were one
Her lips were trembling, silent tears streamed down her bruised face.
She heard it all.
Everything they said about the man she thought would never hurt her
While she was being held captive here, Liam Anderson was living a life with her sister.
While she mourned the death of her grandmother, hiding in fear that he would come for her children, Liam was happy with Callic
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Chapter 00
I wasn’t just unfair. It was cruel.
she had to survive.
She wanted to give up but she couldn’t. She still have her children. She had to
For them. For her promise to her grandma that she’ll take care of them. She will live.
“But what if that was just a front? We found her under the care of Hunter. He’s Liam trusted man, if she’s under his care, Liam knows that-
“But what if she’s having an affair with Hunter?”
Wher
Megan crossed her arms. Think about it. Remember where we found her? In the middle of a goddamn forest, secluded, hidden, completely off the grid And guess what? My intel says Liam’s been asking Hunter where his ex–wife disappeared, not because he wants her back, but because he wants to abort their child. Sounds like someone’s been lying to him.”
“Fucking monster.”
“I know.right”
The man sadistically laughed. “Oh, this is good. Should I tell the boss? He’d have so much fun using this against Liam. Liam’s getting betrayed by this trusted man! Nice.
“No. We can use this information later to play with that Anderson. Don’t you think sol”
The man nodded, “Yeah”
I looked at myself, Camille flinched at the sound of a ringing that cut through the heavy silence.
My heart started pounding
No–no…
Not again.
I don’t want to hear this.
I shut my eyes, hoping I’ll wake up. I don’t want to watch what will happen next or hear whatever this man would say
“It’s boss”
I opened my eyes, I’m still here. Still watching. Camille listened to them.
“Got it, boss,” the man said, podding slowly, eyes flicking to Camille with a glint of amusement.
“What did he say!”
I tried to cover my ears. I don’t want to hear it again.
“That woman is useless. He pointed in Camille’s direction. “We can’t use her against Liam”
The man let out a sadistic laugh as he moved closer. “You know what the monster said to the boss? Kill her. I don’t care about her. You’re even doing me a favor.”
I watched Camille’s reaction. Ah, this moment. She could even hear Liam’s voice when he said those words.
Cold Ruddess. A monster.
That’s i
The scarred man shrugged until he stopped before Camille. I stepped in, but he just passed through me.
Right.
They can’t see me
see me. I was powerless. Nothing but a ghost watching my own suffering-
“That’s it. The boss doesn’t give a damn what happens to her. No leverage, no use. Just a discarded woman carrying that monster’s kids”
“So, how should we do it! But first, can I have a taste of her!”
1 fhnched
201 PM D
Chapter 60
1 knew what was coming next.
I had lived it. I had survived it.
Vet now, as I watched from this nightmare, I could do nothing but relive it.
I turned back to Camille–my past self.
Her fingers curled tighter around her belly.
And for the first time, I saw what I never could before.
How scared the
How her lips moved in a silent prayer. Desperate to escape this misery.
UP screaming.
No…no please! Stop touching her!
But I couldn’t stop the man from touching Camille.
I was trapped in the past, forced to watch my own suffering
And then-
Camille’s eyes snapped open.
And she looked right at me
Eyes begging to save her.
IWOKE
My throat burned as I struggled to breathe, my chest rising and falling in short, panicked gasps.
- ps. Hot tears streamed down
my
face.
“Please….please, someone help me!” I cried, clawing at something–anything–as if I were still trapped in that nightmare.
“It’s cold… so cold H–help me, I’m begging you!”
Strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me close, offering the warmth and protection I desperately wanted,
1 gasped, instinctively clinging to them. A sob tore through my throat, raw and desperate, as I sought comfort–something real to hold onto.
I inhaled shakily, trying to ground myself. And then-
I’m here… I’m here, dolcezza.
My body went rigid.
I knew this scent. The arms I was holding, gripping so tightly–they were familiar,
My eyes flew open, and my breath caught in my throat when I saw him.
Liam.
Panic seized me.
He wanted to kill me. He would hurt me.
I showed him away with all the strength I had, scrambling backward until my back slammed against the headboard.
The voices in my head screamed at me, echoing the cruel words that had once come from his lips.
“Camille. His voice was quiet, laced with something I refused to acknowledge. Regret? No. He wasn’t capable of that.
I shook my head violently. “N–no! It–told you. I’m not her!”
He took a hesitant step forward.
Stay away!” I shrieked. my entire body trembling. Don’t you dare touch me!”
My frantic gaze darted around the room, searching for answers. Then I saw it–the IV line wagging at my skin.
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Chapter 60
I was in a hospital.
And then-
Memories crashed into me.
The attack in the restroom. The chaos at the school. The smoke. The loud bang
Kylie’s terrified cries. Ryker calling out for me, his voice frantic and helpless.
“Rylie… Ryken…”
My eyes widened, and fear took over me
“Where are my kids!!”
1 hastily threw the blanket off me and tried to get out of bed, but my legs gave out
“Camille–Mial”
need to see them! Where are my children! They need me!” My voice broke as I desperately tried to remove the IV from my arm, but Liam stopped me.
“Mia, stop”
1 yanked my hands away, but he wouldn’t let go. “I said don’t touch me!”
His jaw clenched. He exhaled sharply, and I panicked when his expression darkened.
“Y–you’re going to hurt me. I whispered, my body trembling
His grip loosened instantly. “No, I’m not, M–Mix I would never
do that.”
He reached out, but I flinched away. “Liar… you were about to hurt me
I lowered my gaze, fear pressing down on my chest. “I just want to see my kids. Where are they?” I sobbel
“They’re safe. They’re in the next room, but you can’t see them like this, Mia. You need to calm down first
They’re safe… nothing bad happened. They’re okay.
I repeated those words, trying to let them sink in, but my body refused to be eye them.
My heart was still hammering in my chest, my breath coming in short, uneven gasps. I was shaking so badly that my fingers felt numb.
I need to calm down.
But how could I
My body was stuck in the nightmare, my mind unable to separate the past from the present.
And I hated it.
I hated being this weak.
The familiar voice made me look up. Relief crashed over me when I saw Gavin.
“Gavin “My voice broke as I desperately called for him.
Fresh tears spilled down my cheeks. A sob tore from my throat, my body trembling as I reached for him
Gavin rushed to my side, making Liam step back to give him space. He wrapped his arms around me, holding me tightly.
“It’s okay, Mia. I’m here”
I clung to him, my fingers digging into his shirt as I sobbed. “I was so scared. I thought. – My words caught in my throat, my whole body trembling as the memories threatened to pull me under again.
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Chapter 60
That man, his hands on me, his laughter, the feeling of being powerless all over again.
“You’re safe now… hush” Gavin whispered, lifting me and gently placing me back on the bed.
“Rylie Ryker. Gavin, they-
“They’re safe. They’re just in the next room, waiting for you,” he said, rubbing my back gently, repeating what Liam had told me.
“Really
“Yes. They’re okay. I swear to you”
I let out a shaky breath, my heart still racing. slowly, I calmed down with Gavin holding me.
I felt like I could breathe for the first time since waking up.
Then, my gaze shifted.
-were shadowed by something I refused to acknowledge.
He was watching us, his jaw tight, and his eyes–the same green eyes my children have -w
Regret Guilt Envy?
“I’ll call the doctor,” he said, his voice low, before turning and walking away.
AD
