In the Wake of the Shattered Promises

Opening her eyes again, Kimberly found herself in the back seat of a car, her hands bound with rope.

Richard sat beside her, still in his wedding suit, urging the driver anxiously, "Faster! Step on it!"

Unease gripped her. "Where are you taking me? Untie me!"

Richard's face was stone-cold. "Lotta's been kidnapped. I need to save her."

Her eyes widened. "What does that have to do with me?"

"They meant to grab Mrs. Munoz but took the wrong person," he said. "You have to swap places with her."

Mrs. Munoz? Conveniently, she was his wife when it suited him. Otherwise, he was marrying someone else.

Her heart sinking, she thrashed tearfully. "Trading me for her? You're out of your mind! This is your fault. You two paraded a public wedding, making them think she's your wife."

"You know?" He blinked, his emotions swirling.

He reached for her hand, but she slapped it away. His chest ached, and he looked away. "I'll explain later. Saving Lotta comes first. These guys are rough. She's young and can't handle it. Just switch with her, and I'll send help right away. Don't worry. They're after me, not you."

He said it so casually, but her heart broke. No matter how she begged, he remained silent.

Soon, they reached an abandoned construction site.

He donned a mask and hat, posing as an assistant. Lotta was seen tied to a pillar, a gunman beside her.

"I've brought Kimberly Munoz," he said, shoving her forward like an object on a leash. "Release Lotta as agreed."

Lotta's eyes filled with tears. "Save me. I'm so scared."

"Don't worry. I'm here with you," he soothed, then turned to the kidnapper. "What are you waiting for? You have whom you want."

The kidnapper eyed both women suspiciously. "You claim she is Richard's wife, but he just married another. Without proof, why should I believe you?"

Richard tossed over their marriage certificate. "I stole this from Mr. Munoz. Take a look. Lotta's the woman I love—I'll save her no matter what, even if it means betraying my boss. That wedding? Just a ploy to make his real wife jealous. She's always been his true love."

Gagged, Kimberly couldn't speak.

The kidnapper glanced at the certificate, then aimed his gun at Lotta. "Stay back. Let the women switch themselves. Any tricks, and I shoot."

Richard pushed Kimberly forward. "Go."

She closed her