Chapter 2

New Year's Eve. Cold wind howled against the train windows.

The heating had cut out. The air reeked of gunpowder and sweat.

"No one calls the police!"

"Anyone tries to call the cops, I'll blow this whole car sky-high right now!"

The lead hijacker was bald, clutching a red remote in one hand and a hunting rifle in the other, sweeping the barrel across the passengers' heads.

"Listen up! Within ten minutes, whoever pays the highest ransom gets released first!"

"Every ten minutes after that, I'll execute one hostage!"

The car filled with sobs and pleas.

I hugged my five-year-old daughter Lily, huddled in the corner, my heart racing.

I'm Madison Monroe, only daughter of the Monroe Group.

My hands shook as I pulled out my phone and frantically made the transfer.

"I'll pay! Fifty million dollars!"

I held up my phone and yelled.

"I just want two spots—me and my daughter!"

The car fell silent. All eyes turned to me.

The lead hijacker paused, stared at my phone screen, then burst into manic laughter.

"Now that's what I'm talking about! That's how the 1% handles things!"

"This mother and daughter—put 'em on the first release list!"

I let out a shaky breath, squeezing Lily tighter.

"Don't be scared, Lily. Mommy's taking you home."

Just then, a uniformed hand snatched my phone away.

"Crack!"

The phone shattered on the floor.

I looked up into the eyes of my husband, Conductor Derek Vaughn.

He wore his uniform, cap pulled low.

"Madison, have you no sense of decency?"

Derek's voice echoed through the silent car.

"People are fighting for their lives, and you're flashing your cash?"

"Trying to buy special treatment? Want everyone to watch you escape first?"

"Derek, that's fifty million! I'm trying to save our daughter!"

"Shut your mouth!"

Derek raised his hand and struck me hard across the face. My ears rang.

"I'm the conductor. I'm in charge of negotiations on this train!"

"Your money can't buy special treatment!"

He turned and pointed to a boy in the crowd, raising his voice.

"This child is Cameron. He has severe asthma."

"His inhaler ran out. He needs medical help immediately!"

"I'm changing the first release list!"

"Madison and her daughter are off. This asthmatic boy takes their place!"

The crowd erupted in applause. Passengers gave Derek thumbs up.

"Conductor Vaughn is such a hero!"

"Exactly! Who does she think she is, throwing money around? Why should she get to leave first?"

"That woman is so selfish. Her husband's a conductor and she still doesn't get it."

I ignored the stinging in my cheek and grabbed Derek's sleeve.

"No! Lily is a child too! She's only five!"

"I paid that fifty million! Why should someone else take our spot?"

"Derek, are you out of your mind?"

Derek wrenched his hand free from mine, his face twisted with disgust. I crashed hard against the handrail, a searing pain shooting through my lower back.

"Officer Chen!"

he barked.

His colleague Officer Chen rushed over, pinning my arms behind my back and pressing a knee into my spine.

He leaned down, speaking coldly in my ear.

"Stop causing trouble!"

"Derek is doing this for everyone's good. You need to understand!"

I struggled frantically. My cheek scraped raw, blood stinging my eyes.

Through the blood haze, I saw the boy named Cameron hiding behind Derek.

His face was flushed—no sign of asthma at all.

Right then, he was smirking at me, making a malicious face.

His eyes didn't look like a child's—they were full of triumphant malice.

Cameron...

Memories from my past life flooded back with the pain.

Same train, same New Year's Eve. Derek had forced me to give our spot to Cameron.

I'd agreed, thinking my husband was truly that noble.

Then the hijackers detonated the bomb.

I watched Lily die in the explosion.

And Derek, holding Cameron on the platform, became everyone's hero.

Only after death did I learn—Cameron was his illegitimate son!

To save his bastard child, he'd personally pushed his wife and daughter into hell!

"Derek! That's your bastard son!"

"You're trading my daughter's life for that bastard!"

Derek's expression changed instantly, panic and murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

"Gag her! She's hysterical!"

"Take her to the vestibule until she calms down!"

Officer Chen immediately pulled out a dirty rag and stuffed it in my mouth.

"Mmph! Mmm!"

I couldn't make a sound. I kicked wildly, watching Lily burst into terrified tears.

"Mommy! Don't hurt Mommy! Daddy, you're mean! I want Mommy!"

Lily tried to run over, but Derek roughly pushed her away.

"Get lost, you little brat!"

"Cry again and I'll hand you over to the hijackers!"

That was his own daughter!

Lily fell to the floor, a bump swelling on her forehead. Her sobs grew quieter.

My eyes nearly bulged with rage. My heart ached, but Officer Chen held me down.

"Drag her out! Don't let her spread lies in here!"

Derek straightened his collar, putting his heroic face back on, and called out to the hijackers.

"Boss, the money's been transferred. I'm sending the boy over now."

"This woman's delusional. I'll take care of her!"

The hijacker nodded in approval.

"Smart man. Make it quick!"

Officer Chen dragged me toward the utility closet in the vestibule.

I stared desperately at Lily in the corner.

She was curled up. Less than six feet away sat a ticking time bomb.

That was my child!

Derek Vaughn, you monster!