Chapter 6

The nurse seemed flustered by her earlier comments and quickly apologized. Elise simply shook her head calmly. It didn't matter anymore. Soon, they would no longer be her family. That night, she lay in bed, unable to sleep. Her phone kept lighting up with message notifications from Alicia. She had sent dozens of photos and messages, all showing off how gentle and doting Alexander and Aaron were toward her. Alexander was shown personally peeling apples for her, while Aaron lay beside her, reading her stories. Anything she wanted was delivered to her without her having to ask. At the end of the messages, there was a video. In the video, Alicia held up a small cake and sweetly told Aaron, "It's not past midnight yet, so your birthday isn't over. Go ahead, make a wish." Alexander stood to the side, watching the two of them fondly. Aaron closed his eyes and pressed his palms together in front of his chest. "I wish Daddy could be with the person he truly loves. I wish Alicia could be my mommy," he said. When the video ended, Elise felt her heart go cold. All these years, she had poured herself out for that father and son, giving everything she could without hesitation. And yet, in their eyes, she had become nothing more than an unnecessary presence. What did her years of devotion even count for? During her entire stay in the hospital, neither of them had visited. They had been too preoccupied with Alicia to even spare her a glance. Elise had never realized they were capable of such cruelty. That night, she went up to the rooftop alone. From there, the moon looked clear and serene, just like it had from the top floor of Cullen Manor, where she used to sit alone, bathing in moonlight. It had been days since she called Duncan. Why hadn't anyone come? A breeze picked up, and the chill in the air prompted her to turn back toward her room. Just as she did, Alicia appeared behind her. She stood in the doorway, blocking Elise's path and slowly forcing her back toward the rooftop's edge. Alicia smiled and asked mockingly, "Out here all by yourself? Didn't Alex and Aaron come to keep you company?" She gave a soft laugh and added, "Oh, right. They went out to buy me cheesecake. Of course they wouldn't have time for you. Elise, honestly, I don't understand. Things have already reached this point. Why are you still clinging to them? Do you really think you can win against me?" Elise had no desire to argue, nor to compete for affection. She stepped forward to push past her, but Alicia grabbed her arm and refused to let go. "Don't be in such a hurry. Let's make a bet," Alicia said with a smirk. "Let's see who Alex and Aaron would choose between the two of us. If I lose, I promise I'll never appear in front of you again. But if you lose, you must divorce Alexander immediately." Before Elise could respond, Alicia gave a signal. A man who had been hiding behind the door rushed out. Since Elise was already weakened and injured, she had no strength to resist. Within moments, her wrists were bound. Everything had been orchestrated by Alicia. She had deliberately sent Alexander and Aaron away so the kidnapper could take both her and Elise at once. Elise had no idea what the point of it all was. Even she could see that, in their hearts, Alicia meant far more to them than she ever did. Maybe Alicia just wanted her to give up once and for all, but what she didn't know was that Elise already had. After receiving the kidnapper's call, Alexander quickly rushed over with Aaron in tow. The moment they saw Alicia bound and gagged, both of them were so shaken their eyes turned bloodshot. "Let them go, or I'll make you wish you were never born!" Alexander threatened. The kidnapper sneered and forced both Elise and Alicia closer to the edge of the rooftop. "Stay back! If you take one more step, I'll throw them both off!" Alexander frowned deeply. Panic and fear swept across his otherwise cold, sharp features. "Stop! Whatever you want, I'll give it to you. Just don't hurt them," he pleaded. The kidnapper's eyes gleamed coldly. "Prepare five million dollars," he said. Then, he continued, "You can only save one of them. Tell me, who will it be? Alexander froze. His gaze flickered back and forth between Elise and Alicia. Beside him, Aaron tugged desperately at his pants. "Daddy! Save Alicia! Please save Alicia!" Alexander looked up at last and finally said, "We'll save Alicia!"