Chapter 8
“Putting up with your uncle all these years was worth it to live hands–free. But this? Nope.” []
He grabbed his car keys by the door. []
“World’s gone crazy. I’m out. We’re getting divorced.“]]
I choked up. [
“Dad… what about me?“]
When Mom was beating me, he’d always just sit there. []
I’d thought he was scared of her. Now I knew better.[]
He glanced back at me.
“You? You’re grown. Why would I need to take care of you?“]
I said nothing. just grabbed my phone and tried calling Uncle Jake–no answer.
With no choice, I headed to the spot the “kidnappers” had told Dad to meet them. []
Just in case, I brought a fake, losing lottery ticket.]
On the way, my mind spun through every possibility.
When I got to the ridge, I finally understood what was going on.
“Amy!” Mom was tied to a post on the slope, flailing her arms. “Over here!“]
“Where’s your dad?” one of the kidnappers demanded, his voice obviously disguised.]
He was standing with his back to Mom, a ways off.[]
I spotted a hiking backpack by her feet and two broken trekking poles.[]
“Dad said… there’s no money left. He also said he’s divorcing you,” I stammered, clutching my shirt hem. []
“He said all our money went to Uncle Jake.“]]
Sure enough, the kidnapper’s shoulders stiffened.[]
I almost laughed.
Aunt Karen was even more vicious this time around.[]
In my last life, she’d bullied and stolen from me until it cost me my life–only to get herself killed in a fight. []
2005
Сартит
Her dream of that $600,000 payout had died with her. [
Now, because I’d said I’d take care of Mom yesterday, she’d decided to kill her.[]
“What now?” a man in the shadows rasped, stepping forward with a cigarette in hand.[]
“Then we take her out. Divorce or not, she’s still in the way,” the first kidnapper said, pulling out a short knife and walking toward Mom.]
As the blade hovered over the rope, I fumbled out the ticket. []
“Please–just let her go! I just bought this today. I checked on the way here–it’s a winner!“]]
I crumpled it up and held it out with shaking hands. “Will this buy my mom’s life?“]
The kidnapper’s eyes lit up instantly. []
“How much?“]
I held up my hand. ]
“Seven… seven hundred fifty thousand.“]]
I stepped closer, ready to pass it over–then yanked off his ski mask in one move.[]
“Jake!” Mom screamed.]]
Before they could react, I ripped the hood off the other one too.]
The bulky frame was unmistakable–Aunt Karen.[]
“Karen! You…?” Mom’s voice cracked like she’d been struck by lightning.[]
She froze for several seconds before screaming, “You were gonna kill me?!“],
“Why?! What did I ever do to you?!“]
Aunt Karen’s face twisted, her act gone. []
“Jessi, what gives you the right to live the good life? That money is mine!” [
She snatched the ticket, glaring at Mom.]]
“Babe, you’re amazing–how’d you know this brat was gonna win?” []
Uncle Jake said, crouching beside Mom and picking up the knife again. []
“Sis, just make it easy for us. Don’t worry–I’ll live well for you.“[]
Aunt Karen even covered my eyes in mock–protection.
“Don’t look, Amy. Aunt Karen will always take care of you.“[]
1
Chapter
The next second–there was a thud, the sound of someone tumbling down the cliff.]
And the shouting wasn’t Mom’s–it was Uncle Jake’s.]
