“Martin,” I whispered when he answered. My voice cracked, raw and desperate. “It’s me. Do you still want to marry me? If yes… then help me with the ransom for my daughter. I’ll do everything you say.”
“Martin,” I whispered when he answered. My voice cracked, raw and desperate. “It’s me. Do you still want to marry me? If yes… then help me with the ransom for my daughter. I’ll do everything you say.”
For a moment, silence filled the line. Then laughter—low, mocking, unkind—spilled from the other end.
“Wow,” Martin drawled. “So you finally came to your senses. Regretting choosing that bastard over me, aren’t you?”
I closed my eyes, breathing through the sting of his words. “If you’re going to laugh at me, and not help… then let’s not have this conversation again.”
“Alright, alright,” he said quickly, tone shifting, though I could still hear the smugness in it. “Don’t be so serious, Emerald. I’ll help. But remember your words. If I do this for you, then you’re mine. Forever. No running this time.”
“Yes,” I whispered, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Just make sure my daughter will be safe.”