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.

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

if to let her go. But the

tore through

He crumpled instantly.

blood splashed

Her mind went blank.

had never seen death like that. Never seen life snuffed out right in front

moment he hit the ground, officers and paramedics rushed in. They helped her out,

never called her

ended up in the hospital for checkups. It was there, in the hallway, she ran into Kelly–fresh

did Carter remember her call. “You called me earlier,” he said.

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. What a

pale but conscious, added softly, “Sharon, if you find it such hassle to bring me the medicinal soup,

it sound like she had staged the whole thing. Like the kidnapping never happened. Like she had made it all up to steal

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

He didn’t bother.

It was as if

never existed.

inside her began to