Vivienne was stunned by Tristan's question, unable to hide the shock on her face. She lowered her voice and said reproachfully, "What nonsense are you talking about? Of course, he's your father. Everyone knows you as Tristan Carlson.""No, I'm not Tristan! I'm Ricky!" Tristan suddenly roared, his white teeth biting down on his lower lip. He tried to contain the emotions building up inside him for too long with every fiber of his being.The name "Tristan Carlson" had always felt like a shackle, binding him from a very young age. He had assumed becoming Tristan would mean having a father but realized he was still fatherless, even without a mother now."No, you're Tristan Carlson! You are!" Vivienne shook her head desperately, almost as if she was trying to hypnotize herself.The frantic behavior caused Tristan to release his lip, which had turned purple from the bite.Unexpectedly, he chuckled. "None of you have ever asked me whether I prefer being Tristan or Ricky. Mom, I hate you!
The police convoy transporting Vivienne cruised steadily along the spacious road.Vivienne's hands were cuffed, her face pale, and she looked disheveled.As the car hit a speed bump, causing a slight jolt, it quickly regained stability. However, Vivienne clasped her stomach with both hands, her face contorted in pain. "Ouch, my stomach hurts.""Why does your stomach hurt?" The officer in charge of escorting her looked tense. Although she was a criminal, he could not afford to be careless with her."Maybe because my wound hasn't fully recovered yet. The bump just now might've torn the wound. Officer, could I use the restroom?" Vivienne shed tears from the pain, her vulnerable appearance tugging at the heartstrings of the escorting officer.However, there was still a hint of hesitation in his gaze. "We're almost reaching the precinct. Just hold on a little longer.""Officer, I'm in so much pain right now." Vivienne clutched her stomach with one hand and tugged at the officer's slee
Realizing he had driven someone who did not plan to pay, the driver cursed loudly through the open window, "What the fuck?! Don't fucking take a taxi if you're fucking broke!"Eventually, he could only accept his luck and drive away.Mrs. Carrie stood at the school gate, holding a large bag and constantly checking the electronic clock in the security room nearby. 'Ms. Cherry's about to finish school.'As the school bell rang, Cherry came out bouncing soon after, her face beaming with sweetness. "Mrs. Carrie, make something delicious for dinner tonight. It's a day worth celebrating."'The bad woman is going to prison today, and Mommy won't have to be unhappy because of her anymore.'"Sure thing," Mrs. Carrie indulgently replied, held her hand lovingly, and got into the car parked nearby.The car started, but suddenly, someone yanked open the door.Before Mrs. Carrie could react, she was struck hard on the back of her head with a solid object, causing her to lose consciousness ins
"Vivienne has kidnapped Cherry!" Sophie said, her voice trembling as fear clutched her heart. Vivienne had indeed kidnapped Cherry!"What?! That woman deserves to die!" Jeanna exclaimed, pulling out her phone to call the police.However, Linda intervened, "Wait a moment.""What are we waiting for? That woman is a lunatic now! Who knows what she could do to Cherry!" Jeanna’s voice trembled with urgency. She wanted to stay calm, but the thought of Cherry being taken away by Vivienne made it impossible.Linda appeared worried yet restrained, sensing that Sophie had a reason for not immediately calling the police. "Ms. Luxford?"Sophie seemed not to hear them, her gaze locked intensely on the phone clutched in her hand.Vivienne had bided her time for a week, choosing the moment when Sophie's defenses were lowest to strike. It wasn't merely about inflicting pain on Cherry to unsettle Sophie.Her eyes were bloodshot, and each passing second felt like an eternity of agony.At that
Cedric's expression darkened as he received the documents from Evander, his concentration shattered by his ringing phone. He glanced at the caller ID, his expression turning sharp as he answered, not waiting for the other party to speak before urgently asking, "What's happened?""Mr. Carlson, Vivienne... Vivienne has escaped and taken Ms. Luxford's daughter. They're at the coastal cliffs," came the trembling response, chilling Cedric to the core."Turn around immediately!" Cedric commanded Evander."But the meeting—" Evander began, but Cedric's icy demeanor silenced him. Whatever had caused Cedric's face to harden must mean that Sophie and Cherry were in trouble.Fortunately, they were near a highway toll booth.Evander swiftly took the next exit to loop back onto the bridge, but the chill on Cedric’s face seemed to deepen, becoming frighteningly intense."Mr. Carlson."Remaining on the call, Cedric listened intently as the police officer continued to report. Frustrated, he wa
"Heh, Tristan? He hates me! My own son hates me!" Vivienne's emotions suddenly surged violently.With a roar, she suddenly yanked Cherry closer. "Sophie, if not for you, Tristan wouldn't despise me, and Cedric wouldn't treat me this way. It's all because of you. Five years ago, you should have died in the sea. You shouldn't have survived and certainly shouldn't have returned!"Hearing Vivienne's accusations, Sophie felt a crushing weight on her heart, especially as Vivienne nudged Cherry dangerously close to the cliff's edge.Losing composure, Sophie cried out, "Don't!""I won't give you time to wait for the police. Want to save your daughter? If you jump, I'll release her." Vivienne gripped Cherry’s arm while pointing toward the raging sea below. It was high tide, and a single wave could render a person unconscious, unable to struggle before sinking."Mommy, don't listen to her!" Cherry cried, shaking with fear. She was afraid of the sea but feared losing her mother more."Shut
From a distance, Cedric watched in terror as the scene unfolded at the cliff's edge. He understood Vivienne's deadly intentions and Sophie's grave decision.Anxious, he stretched his arm out of the car window, honking the horn forcefully while shouting, "Sophie, don’t jump!"Hearing the horn, Sophie turned to see Cedric's car. A final bit of unease settled in her heart. Knowing he was there, Cherry should no longer be in danger."Jump, or I’ll throw her over!" Vivienne was caught off guard by Cedric's swift arrival and shoved Cherry toward the cliff’s edge.Cherry's legs dangled in the air as she cried out, "Mommy!"Sophie's heart pounded fiercely. "I’ll jump! Cherry, Mommy loves you."Resigned yet determined, she smiled faintly, ready to face her darkest fear to save her daughter."Mommy!""Sophie!"The sound of the water impact mingled with Cherry and Cedric’s cries as Sophie vanished beneath the waves.Vivienne leaned forward, watching as the dark sea enveloped Sophie's bo
Sophie could not tell if it was the lack of oxygen or Cedric's presence that made her heart, nearly stilled by fear, pound uncontrollably. She felt a sudden rush of strength.Cedric smiled and pulled her into his embrace. His almost purple lips pressed against hers, transferring the last bit of oxygen from his mouth into hers without a word.'Cedric!' Sophie's eyes widened in panic. 'What is he trying to do?'"This time, I've finally caught you," Cedric managed to mouth as the sea invaded his lungs. His grip weakened, but he held her waist tightly, using his fading strength to push her toward the surface.'No!'Sophie realized his intention, and her heart sank with dread, mirroring the fear she felt five years ago when she first faced death. Propelled by his push, her body moved toward the surface, but her spirit felt anchored in despair.'Die? I never wanted him to die! Not even in my most resentful state!'In a desperate move, she kicked hard, managing to twist her body in the