The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 25

As Stella waited, she chatted with her captor about family, kids, and marriage.

Surprisingly, the kidnapper had a happy family—a loving wife and a bright daughter. He had invested in a project to provide a better life for them but ended up losing everything.

He confided in Stella, admitting even if he managed to pay off his debts, he would still end up behind bars. But he wanted to ensure his wife and daughter wouldn't be harassed by debt collectors, hoping to give them a peaceful future.

Stella listened, her emotions a whirlwind of sympathy and confusion.

Outside, negotiators and police officers' voices echoed without pause. The kidnapper's initial frenzy gradually gave way to a calmer demeanor.

"You know," he said, "the lives of wealthy folks aren't that happy, either. If it weren't for me, you'd be dead today. What I lost was just money, but you, you could have lost your life."

with a hint of pity. "Miss, thanks

police watching must have misunderstood his gesture to let her go. A sudden, terrifying gunshot rang out, and the kidnapper

mind went blank. It was the first

rushed in to rescue her.

underwent a series of check-ups, she ran into Rachel, who had

"Did you call

get Haynie's attention, huh? Haynie, look

to bring my meals,

pegged her kidnapping as

could have easily looked into it to see if her kidnap was true. But he didn't. His focus was solely on Rachel, oblivious to Stella's ordeal. From that moment, Stella felt her heart slowly die. Even now, he still believed that call

"If you think I'm playing games, I'll see you