Side Chick Era... Over

Loving Mom 14

Chapter 14

As they waited, Sharon and the man who had taken her hostage began to talk about family, about children, about marriage.

He told her he used to have a good life. A gentle wife, a clever daughter. A home filled with warmth. He’d only wanted to give them something better. So he took a risk–invested in a project that promised a good return–and ended up losing everything. Swindled, broken, ruined.

we debt, I’ll still end up behind bars. But I don’t want my family to be chased by

“I know,” he said miserably, “even if 11 creditors. They deserve a quiet life.”

His words left a strange feeling in her heart.

Outside, the police shouted, negotiators tryi calmer. His hands had stopped shaking.

to keep things from slipping out of control. But the man, once on edge, was now

“So, rich people’s lives aren’t so great either,” he said with a bitter laugh. “If it hadn’t been me today, you’d probably be dead by now. I lost money. You, on the other hand, might’ve lost your life.“”

He glanced at his watch. Too much time had passed. Whis eyes returned to her, there was something different there. A

flicker of sympathy.

with me,” he said. “You know, maybe I’m not the

her go. But the police, watching everything, misunderstood his

through the

He crumpled instantly.

splashed across

Her mind went blank.

had never seen death like that. Never seen

and paramedics rushed

Carter never called

It was there, in the hallway, she ran into

called

mockery. “Oh please. If she was kidnapped, why is she standing here without a scratch on her? Must’ve been a stunt. Just trying to get your attention. Look at her, Carter. Not even a bruise.

you find it such hassle to bring me the medicinal soup, then don’t. But please… don’t joke

sound like she had staged the whole thing. Like the kidnapping never happened. Like she had made

known the truth. It wouldn’t have taken much. A quick

He didn’t bother.

was as if

never existed.

began to wither then. Quietly.