“Aunt Evie…”
He choked.
“S-she was talking on the phone yesterday. She told Daddy… that ‘you two will be free soon.’ I didn’t know what it meant.”
My brave boy had understood the danger before I did.
We crawled for hours—my limbs screaming, Aiden guiding me with heartbreaking determination.
He broke sticks for me to use as crutches.
He checked the ground before I stepped.
He whispered, “You can do it, Mom,” every time I faltered.
Near dawn, we stumbled onto a marked trail.
A couple hiking early found us and called 911.
The last thing I remembered before blacking out was Aiden holding my face and whispering:
“We beat them, Mom. We did.”
At the hospital, detectives arrived.
I told them everything.
Within 24 hours, Brad, Evan, and my parents were in custody.
Evidence poured out:
• A $3 million insurance policy Brad had taken out on me.
• Phone records between him and Evan.
• Bank transfers to my parents.
• Their plan to kill Aiden so there’d be no witness.
In court, Aiden bravely testified:
“Grandpa held me. Grandma pushed my mom. Uncle Evan said no one would miss us. My mom saved me.”
The courtroom wept.
Brad and Evan received 30 years.
My parents received 18.
I never saw them again.
