CHAPTER 2 – The Recording Ryan Never Knew Existed
The moment Ry
an walked out with Sophia, Emily didn't cry.
She waited.
She counted every second until the front door slammed shut.
Only then did she crawl across the floor, ignoring the pain in her bruised knees.
Her shaking fingers lifted the loose floorboard beneath the staircase.
The tiny recorder was still there.
Its red light was blinking.
Still recording.
Emily pressed playback.
Every word echoed through the silent house.
Ryan threatening her.
Sophia laughing.
The confession about forging signatures.
Even the chilling sentence:
"You'll never see Lily again unless you obey me."
Emily clutched the recorder against her chest.
Finally...
Proof.
But before she could stand, her phone vibrated.
Unknown Number.
She answered immediately.
Instead of Ryan's voice...
A little girl whispered.
"Mommy..."
Emily burst into tears.
"Lily! Where are you?"
"I'm scared..."
Before Lily could say another word, someone grabbed the phone.
A deep male voice spoke calmly.
"If you want your daughter alive... come alone."
The call ended.
Emily stared at the recorder.
Should she rush to save Lily...
Or take the evidence straight to the police?
Then another notification appeared.
A photo.
Ryan and Sophia were already celebrating at a luxury restaurant, raising champagne glasses.
The caption read:
"To new beginnings."
Emily almost broke.
Until she noticed something hidden in the background of the photo.
A reflection in the restaurant window.
Someone was secretly watching Ryan.
Someone holding a police badge.
Emily smiled for the first time that night.
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Ryan believed he'd already won.
He had no idea the real game had only just begun...
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