Unknowingly, my tears and exhaustion lulled me into a restless sleep. I was startled awake by the sudden ringing of my phone, my heart racing as if I’d fallen from a great height.
I searched for my phone and saw that the call was from an unknown number. I answered it, and a woman’s laugh greeted me on the line.
“Hello, who is this?” I asked.
“Lily, Lily, Lily,” she repeated my name several times.
“Valerie Garcia,” I said through gritted teeth, my jaw tightening.
“Calm down, Lily. I told you to stay away from Arlo, but you’re so stubborn. You refused to listen. You really pushed me to my limits. I warned you, but you wouldn’t heed my words, and now we’ve ended up here,” Valerie said.
“Let my child go! Tell me what you want, and we’ll give it to you. Just return my child to me. If anything happens to her, Valerie, I swear I’ll kill you!” I shouted.
“There you go again. You’re the one making me lose my temper even more. You infuriate me. If only you hadn’t come back into Arlo’s life, he and I would be happy together with the child in my womb. But look at what you’ve done,” Valerie said, her words making my chest tighten and my heart race.
“Valerie, just tell me what you want and give my child back,” I said firmly.
“Oh,! So you’re finally willing to give and do everything I want?”
“Yes, Valerie, for my child. Please let her go!” I couldn’t calm myself any longer. Valerie laughed like a madwoman over the line.
My eyes widened when she turned on the front camera and showed me my daughter sleeping on a small bed.
“My child,” I whispered.
When I saw my child, I froze. My hands and knees were trembling. I wanted to reach out and hold her, but I couldn’t. When I touched the screen of Valerie’s phone, she ended the video call.
“Valerie, please, for the love of God, return my child to me. Just tell me what you want,” I pleaded.
“Okay, I’m reasonable if you are. First, leave Arlo. Take your children to another country and never let Arlo hear from you again. Second, arrange for your annulment with Arlo. Third, prepare $500 million. And fourth, no police involvement. You must tell them I didn’t kidnap your child. Remember, Lily, if you fail to do any of this, you will regret it for the rest of your life if something bad happens to your child. Think about your child’s life. You have until tomorrow. Once everything is settled, I will give you your child, and no authorities should be involved—not even Arlo. He must not know where we meet. I’ll call you again tomorrow,” Valerie said quickly before hanging up.
“Valerie, Valerie!” I called out into the line, but it was already disconnected.
For my child, I will do everything. The only people I should talk to about this are Dad and Mom. I left Gabriella’s room and descended the stairs, where I ran into Arlo. He looked concerned, seeing me so agitated and frantic.
“Babe, what’s wrong?” he asked, but I didn’t answer.
“Do you have any news about our child?” I asked instead.
“Not yet, babe. Did Valerie call you?” Arlo asked. I shook my head.
“No,” I replied, my voice trembling.
“Babe, tell me the truth. Did she call you?” he asked again, his tone firm. I couldn’t look Arlo directly in the eye.
He held both of my arms and asked again.
The next morning, Arlo and I woke up early, unable to wait for Valerie’s call. Dad and uncle Philip had already prepared the amount Valerie demanded. Thomas was furious with Valerie and her mother, thinking their dealings with Valerie had already ended. Dad reassured Thomas not to concern himself with it, as Valerie’s lies would eventually catch up with her and she would pay for them.
“It’s already nine o’clock. Why hasn’t she called yet?” I said, unable to stay still.
Then I saw Violet rushing in, accompanied by Mr. Anthony. They were holding a white envelope, which sis handed to Arlo. Arlo quickly opened it, his mouth dropping open as he looked at the contents, his expression unreadable.
“sis, what’s in the envelope?” I asked her, anxious to know.
“Valerie aborted the baby in her womb,” Violet said, shocking even me with her words.
I took the envelope from Arlo’s hand. I couldn’t believe Valerie could do something like that—terminate her own pregnancy. I felt a wave of sadness for Arlo because, no matter what, that child was still his.
