Chapter 3

The utility closet door slammed shut.

No windows. Just one emergency light flickering on and off.

The space was crammed with mops and buckets, reeking of mildew.

Officer Chen threw me on the floor and stood guard at the door.

Derek walked in, locked the door, and turned off his body camera.

His heroic expression disappeared, replaced by something sinister.

He stood over me, looking down.

"Madison, what were you yelling about? Bastard son? Illegitimate child?"

He squatted down, grabbed my hair, and forced my head up.

"You're pretty damn clever, aren't you? When did you figure it out? Huh?"

The rag was yanked from my mouth. I gasped for air, staring at him.

"Derek Vaughn, you'll burn in hell!"

"Lily is your own daughter. How could you do this?"

"Own daughter?"

Derek sneered and backhanded me again.

"Crack!"

My lip split. Blood dripped onto my collar.

"That little money-waster is the one I hate most!"

"Just like you—stuck-up rich girl with an attitude!"

He grabbed my chin.

"You think I wanted to be your family's trophy son-in-law?"

"Dealing with your parents' stuck-up faces every day—I've had enough!"

"For seven years I've been their doormat in your house, treated worse than a servant!"

"Has your family ever shown me an ounce of respect?"

His face contorted, eyes full of venom.

"As long as Cameron gets out safely, you and your little money-waster can die for all I care!"

"An accident. Clean and simple!"

"Then the Monroe fortune will all be mine!"

"Cameron and I can spend it however we want!"

So that's it... He was planning to eliminate the whole family and take the assets!

He wanted to use the hijackers to get rid of us and take the Monroe fortune!

I trembled with rage and spat blood in his face.

"Dream on! My parents are still alive. You'll never get your hands on it!"

Derek wiped the blood from his face, eyes turning vicious.

"You won't play along? Then you'll pay the price!"

He pulled out his baton and jabbed it hard into my ribs.

Searing pain shot through me. I curled up, cold sweat soaking my back.

He didn't stop. Again and again.

"So high and mighty! So stuck-up!"

"On this train, I'm in charge! If I say you're crazy, you're crazy!"

"If I say you die, you die!"

I clenched my teeth, refusing to beg, my nails digging into the floorboards.

Just then, his walkie-talkie crackled to life.

"Hey! Cop! What's taking so long?"

"Three minutes! If the kid ain't out by then, I start shooting hostages!"

Derek paused, checked his watch, panic flashing in his eyes.

"Right away! Right away! The kid's getting ready!"

He shouted into the walkie-talkie, then glared at me viciously.

"No time to deal with you now."

He pulled out handcuffs and cuffed my hands behind me to a water pipe.

The cuffs dug painfully into my wrists.

"You just stay put."

"When that little money-waster gets blown up, your turn comes next."

He grabbed the dirty rag to stuff it back in my mouth.

"Derek Vaughn! You'll regret this!"

"That bastard Cameron won't get away with it either!"

I twisted my head frantically to avoid it.

"Shut your mouth!"

He punched me in the stomach. As I gasped, he forced the gag back in.

"Mmm! Mmm!"

A child's voice came from outside the door.

"Daddy, are you done yet? I'm scared. Is that mean lady dead?"

It was Cameron!

Derek's expression softened immediately.

Through the door, he spoke gently.

"Don't worry. Daddy's taking care of the problem."

"That mean lady will never bother Cameron again."

This double standard made my blood boil.

My Lily was out there with a bomb, while his bastard was asking if I was dead!

Derek stood up and adjusted his uniform in front of the cracked mirror on the wall.

He straightened his cap and practiced a determined smile in the mirror.

"Madison, next time you're reborn, remember to choose better."

He gave me one last cold look, pulled open the door, and walked out.

The door closed and locked. I was left in darkness.

But I didn't cry. I couldn't afford to despair.

In my past life, all I did was cry and beg. That got my daughter killed.

This life, I'd crawl out if I had to—even if I had to bite my way through!

I had to save my daughter!

I'd make those bastards pay with their blood!

By the emergency light, I looked at that cracked mirror.

In it, I saw my disheveled hair, bloodied face, and eyes full of rage.

Kill them! Make them pay!