I Can Hear You

I stood my ground, refusing to get in the car with Zack, no matter what.

Mom and Elle rushed out when they saw us fighting, immediately trying to intervene.

“I should’ve never given birth to such an ungrateful child! Don’t you know how much Elle has done for you? Why can’t you just give her a baby first, then have your own later? It’s not going to kill you.”

The warmth Mom had shown me over the past few weeks was completely gone. Now, her eyes were colder than ice.

Beside her, Elle’s eyes filled with tears as she choked out, “If you want to blame someone, blame me. This has nothing to do with Zack.”

Zack kept up his polished facade. “Don’t worry. We’ll go home and talk this out. Everything can be resolved. I believe Raye is willing to sacrifice a little for her sister.”

However, in his head, his thoughts were wicked. “What a stupid woman. Once we’re back, I’ll skin you alive.”

Mom and Elle just stood there, watching me struggle in pain, yet neither of them moved to help.

Zack was already reaching for the car, about to pull out a stun baton. In sheer desperation, I fought back, slamming my elbow into his face and quickly pulling a small knife from my pocket.

“If you come any closer, I’ll take us all down with me!” My voice shook with fear, but I refused to back down.

While I was stuck with Zack, I screamed for help countless times. I thought in this unfamiliar city, no one would ever step in. However, within moments, curious neighbors began poking their heads out.

For the first time, hope flickered inside me.

I bolted toward the small crowd, screaming at the top of my lungs, “Help me! My family is trying to kidnap me. Please, someone, get me out of here! My husband and my sister swapped out my IVF embryo. They’re using me as a surrogate for their child. Please, I’m begging you. Help me!”

More and more people gathered, and one brave man even stepped in front of me.

“What kind of monsters do this? Let’s get to the bottom of this!”

I broke down crying, convinced I’d finally found safety. With so many people here, there was no way they could drag me away.

Zack approached slowly, towering over me, his smile cruel.

“Honey, your delusions are getting worse. When did you supposedly get pregnant? We don’t know anything about that…”

My mind went blank, my body frozen in place.

He chuckled softly, turning to address the neighbors behind me. “My wife has been like this for years. Her therapy hasn’t been going well. I’m so sorry for the trouble.”

“No… That’s not true!” I spun around, pale and frantic. “I really am pregnant! I have proof! I don’t have a mental illness!”

Zack put on a pitiful expression. “I’m at fault for letting a mentally ill woman disturb everyone’s evening. I’ll take her home right now.”

The neighbors’ gazes shifted back to me, but the concern from earlier was gone.

“So she’s mentally unstable. It’s best to stay away.”

“This man is remarkable, though. Even with a sick wife, he hasn’t abandoned her. What a good husband.”

I watched helplessly as Zack pinned me again, forcing me toward the car.

His inner voice spilled out. “The proof of pregnancy is in the house. If she runs back to get it, I’ll just lock her inside forever. She’ll never get out. If she can’t prove it, there’s no chance she’ll escape tonight.”

I fought with everything I had, still crying out for help. However, no one paid attention anymore. I was like a dying fish flopping helplessly on the shore, struggling for life while hope slipped further away.

Zack’s patience snapped. His hand clamped around my throat, cutting off my voice.

“Don’t even think about escaping.”

His cold, cruel eyes bore into me as his grip tightened. I couldn’t breathe.

I glared back at him, a bitter, mocking smile tugging at my lips. “The one who should be running… is you.”

With trembling arms, I lifted a finger, pointing at the space behind him.

Zack’s head whipped around, and when he saw what was standing there, his eyes widened in shock.