Love in Peril

My husband, Alex Walter, was the head of the Bodyguard Association.

When I was about to be killed by the kidnappers, he was comforting his childhood crush, Susan Miller, who was sobbing in his arms.

While the kidnappers stopped for a meal, I called Alex five times calmly. He was angry when he finally answered.

"Susan was just rescued from the kidnappers, and she needs me. If you want me to come home, stop using your own kidnapping as some excuse to compete for attention. It is pathetic!"

Hearing Susan's sweet and delicate voice in the background, I had no time to argue with him. Instead, I called the Bodyguard Association.

The operator informed me that Alex had pulled all the city's bodyguards away thirty minutes earlier to rescue Susan. When the kidnappers returned, they mocked Alex's heroic efforts to save Susan, mobilizing the entire force for her.

If I remember correctly, this was Susan's twenty-eighth kidnapping this month. As the kidnappers approached me with guns and tasers, I closed my eyes in despair.

Before I died, I used all my strength to send Alex one last text message, [No matter what, I loved you. Move on from me.]

I stood before a body, beaten so badly that it was a bloody mess, limp and lifeless on the ground. Even though her breathing had stopped, her hands still clutched a handful of grass as if enduring immense pain.

The sock covering her face was blown away by the wind and revealed a terrifying expression with no eyes and shattered teeth.

I froze.

It was me.

I was dead.

Just two hours ago, I was kidnapped on my way home. Even though I offered to pay the ransom, they seemed uninterested in money. All their talk implied that they wanted my life instead.

While they were eating at a rest area, I stayed calm and managed to untie the ropes on my hands.

Alex Walter, my husband, was the head of the city's largest Bodyguard Association. After being with him for seven years, I learned a lot about first aid.

After freeing my hands, I searched the car and finally found the phone left by one of the kidnappers.

I saw they were still eating, so I called Alex, who had just run away from our wedding yesterday.

I tried calling five times as I felt my heart racing.

However, I was unable to reach Alex.

"Sorry, the number you dialed is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later..." A cold female voice from the mailbox responded.

I double-checked if I had dialled the right number.

I tried to call the police, but then, I remembered him telling me, "Mia, 13560 is our emergency number. It is available 24/7. I will answer as long as you dial it. It's only between us."

I decided to dial the number I had never used before.

"Speak. Do not waste my time. I'm busy saving Susan."

Alex's voice almost brought me to tears. I knew how capable he was. I would be safe from the kidnappers if he ever came to rescue me.

"Alex, I have been kidnapped. All they want is to kill me. I do not know where I am, maybe at some rest area—"

Before I could finish, Alex interrupted me impatiently, "Enough, Mia! Are you really doing this now? Why not go to the police instead of calling me?

"Susan was just rescued, and she is emotionally unstable. What am I supposed to do? She is not just my sister; she is my client. I have a responsibility to protect her!

"We are just childhood friends. I don't know what you're jealous about. I'm not coming home if you ever do this again!"

As I heard Alex's harsh words, I dropped the phone and cried.

I heard Susan's delicate voice say, "Alex, you are so wonderful."

Then, Alex's cold words came through as he hung up, "By the way, Susan gets into danger more often than you. This number will be hers from now on. Give me the SIM card when you get home."

I remember when Alex gave me the SIM card as an engagement gift. His eyes were filled with tears, and his hands trembled as he handed it to me.

I did not cry hysterically but just bitterly looked at the wedding ring.