Chapter 9

y eyes widened, as if struck by a lightning bolt, and I froze instantly.

I couldn't believe my ears, staring at Vicki in disbelief.

“You… want me to take the fall for him?”

Vicki took a step closer, her voice softening slightly:

“Liam, Felix truly cannot be implicated. If he goes to prison, his life will be ruined! You go take the fall, and I’ll find a way to get you out quickly.”

My heart chilled once more.

I had sacrificed so much for Vicki, even my dignity.

Yet, in her heart, I was merely a pawn to be sacrificed at will.

After a moment, I took a deep breath, suppressing the humiliation in my heart, and slowly nodded:

“Okay, I’ll do it.”

Vicki was stunned when I agreed.

“You… really willing?”

A few days ago, my agreement to swap myself for Felix from the kidnappers was already unbelievable to her.

Now, this was even more incomprehensible.

“Yes, I’m willing.”

I smiled.

“I won’t refuse any of your demands.”

*To save my Audrey and our child,* I told myself inwardly.

Vicki’s heart trembled, and a complex emotion flickered in her eyes.

“Don’t worry, I’ll definitely help you get acquitted, and I won’t shortchange you.”

But to me, those words sounded like the cruelest irony.

That day, I walked step by heavy step towards the police station.

The moment I entered the police station, I was met with strange looks.

I straightened my back and walked towards the confession window, my voice calm yet firm:

“I’m here to turn myself in. The hit-and-run last night, I did it.”

And just like that, after turning myself in, I was quickly taken into custody.

The iron gate of the detention center slowly closed behind me with a heavy clang.

It felt like fate’s final ultimatum.

Inside the dimly lit detention cell, the lights flickered, and the air was thick with a damp, decaying smell.

The moment I was brought in, I drew the attention of a group of men.

Seeing them, my face involuntarily changed.

They too were stunned when they saw me, then their expressions turned savage.

Because these men were none other than the group of kidnappers arrested a few days prior!

“Well, well, isn’t this Miss Sterling’s husband? Such a distinguished person, how did you end up in jail?”

I remained silent.

Seeing me not respond, Butch, the former leader, suddenly rushed forward.

He kicked me viciously. I stumbled, falling to the ground.

“I’m talking to you! Why are you playing dumb? Are you looking down on me? I’ll teach you a lesson today!”

“If you hadn’t run away, me and my brothers would have been living it up with the money already. How else would we be stuck in here?!”

With that, Butch waved his hand.

A group of men swarmed around me, laying into me.

I curled up on the ground, protecting my injured head with my hands.

I let their punches and kicks rain down on me.

Their curses and jeers echoed in my ears, but my heart was utterly numb.

I knew I had no help now; resisting would only provoke a more brutal beating.

I don’t know how long it lasted before they seemed to tire, finally scattering with a string of curses.

I lay on the ground, covered in wounds.

New and old injuries mingled, and I tasted rust in my mouth.

I slowly closed my eyes, feeling the pain spread through my body, waiting for the moment of release.