Chapter 9 - Vivian Kidnapped Ava From the Hospital—But She Didn't Know Reed Had Already Turned Every Person She Trusted Against HerAva developed a fever.
We took her to the hospital.
Everything seemed normal.
Until the lights went out.
When they came back, Ava was gone.
My scream echoed through the hallway.
Reed grabbed my shoulders.
“Claire.”
“She has Ava.”
“Who?”
“Vivian.”
We found security footage.
A nurse.
Two guards.
A doctor.
All working for her.
But Vivian made one mistake.
She left the locket.
Reed picked it up.
“She doesn't have the evidence.”
“Then why take Ava?”
“To force us to trade.”
I looked at him.
May you like
“Trade what?”
“Her freedom.”
Related Stories
Chapter 10 - Reed Walked Into His Mother's Trap Alone—But the Woman Who Expected Him to Beg Had No Idea He Had Already WonVivian held Ava inside an abandoned mansion.
Chapter 11 - The Woman Who Controlled Chicago's Powerful Men Finally Went to Prison—But Her Last Words to Reed Changed EverythingVivian was arrested.
Chapter 12 - Reed Gave Me a Choice I Never Expected—And I Realized the Mafia Boss I Feared Had Become the Man I Trusted MostOne evening, Reed found me closing the restaurant.
Chapter 13 - Ava Took Reed's Hand in Front of the Entire Restaurant and Called Him Daddy—And He Couldn't Hide His TearsAva was three now.
Chapter 14 - Five Years Later, Ava Asked Me Why I Once Hid Her Under My Coat—And My Answer Made Reed CryAva was eight.
Chapter 15 - Years After I Hid My Baby in the Mafia Restaurant, Ava Returned to That Same Supply Room—And Gave Reed the One Gift Money Could Never BuyTen years later, Ava stood in the old supply room.
