Chapter 5

Sara POV

When I woke again, I found myself hanging from the rafters of an abandoned warehouse with Meredith.

After a huge explosion, Lucas emerged from the smoke.

"Meredith!"

Seeing this scene, the veins on Lucas's forehead throbbed. His eyes bloodshot, he looked at the kidnapper.

"If you have a problem, come at me. Let Meredith go."

The kidnapper laughed wildly.

"Let her go? Of course I can. But I'm livestreaming for my brothers. We've got to give them a show."

"Two women, you choose one. Strip her down for my brothers to see!"

Only then did Lucas notice me, also tied up above.

My heart filled with bitterness. In this kind of choice, Lucas would never choose me.

"I'm only giving you ten seconds to decide. Ten."

"Nine."

"However much money or women you want, the Knight family can provide it. Just let both of them go!"

Lucas roared.

"Six."

The kidnapper ignored his words and continued counting down.

Lucas's gaze shifted between us, finally settling on me.

He spoke with difficulty.

"Sara, Meredith is the daughter of the Rivers family. Her reputation can't have any stain."

"Don't worry. I'll compensate you. No one in the Knight family will know about this."

Lucas raised his hand and pointed at me.

Seeing this, the kidnapper walked straight to me.

"Looks like you're very unlucky. This gentleman's feelings for you are pretty lukewarm."

The man's greasy hands roamed over my body, removing my clothes piece by piece until I was completely naked.

The moment Lucas pointed at me, I closed my eyes.

Cold wind blew across every inch of my skin. Tears silently slid from the corners of my eyes.

No matter what, I had to survive. This was my brother's wish and my only desire now.

Even if I suffered every humiliation and lost all dignity, I had to survive.

"Can you let them go now?"

Lucas shouted at the kidnapper.

The kidnapper shook his head.

"Years ago, your father took my wife and daughter and played a game with them."

"He said only one of them could live. If one volunteered to die, the other could survive."

"Now I want to play this game with you. If one of these two women volunteers to die, the other can live."

The kidnapper toyed with the knife in his hand, waiting for Lucas's answer.

"Again, ten seconds."

Hearing the kidnapper's words, Meredith cried out to Lucas.

"Lucas, I don't want to die. We grew up together. You even bought me my first sanitary pad. Because of our families, we've already missed five years. Lucas, I really want to be with you forever."

Lucas's heart shook. Without any hesitation, he shouted at me.

"Sara, I will definitely rescue you. Tell the kidnapper you're willing to die first. Stall for time."

I opened my eyes and stared straight at Lucas.

The man who once was willing to harm himself and defy his mother for me was now asking me to die.

"Five."

The kidnapper's countdown continued.

"Sara, your brother's grave is still in my family cemetery. If you don't agree, I'll have someone blow it up."

I never imagined Lucas would use my brother's grave to threaten me.

"My brother died because of you. How dare you?"

"Two."

"For Meredith, there's nothing I won't dare do. Are you sure you want to bet on this?"

Looking at Lucas in his manic state, I knew at this moment he would do anything for Meredith.

I closed my eyes and nodded in resignation.

"I'm willing to die."

Two streams of tears ran down my cheeks.

Meredith was released as promised. Lucas held her tightly, carefully examining the injuries on her body.

The kidnapper took out dozens of throwing knives and threw them at my body one by one.

The blades cut across my body. Before long, I was covered in blood.

The blood loss made me feel weaker and weaker.

Before losing consciousness, I seemed to see someone rushing toward me.

"Sara!"