They started arguing, none of them willing to
pay. Carol was furious but helpless.
Finally, Sarah yelled, “Let’s just call the cops!
We don’t have the money. And even if we did,
how do we know the kidnappers will actually
let them go? Calling the cops is the best
option!”
I shook my head frantically. “Calling the cops
will get Kevin killed! Mom, we can’t!”
Carol was overwhelmed. “If not the cops, then
what?!”
already had a plan. “The house. I was
thinking about selling Mom’s and Kevin’s house. That should get us enough.”
That sounded good to the sisters. They knew they wouldn’t get anything out of Carol’s house. Selling it didn’t affect them.
Carol didn’t like it, but she didn’t have a
choice. She reluctantly agreed, and we listed
both houses for a quick sale. Then, she called
the kidnappers.
Six:
The kidnappers answered the video call, and
Carol started demanding to see Kevin.
Kevin looked the same as before, like he
with Tiffany.
After some back and forth, I wired the money to the kidnappers‘ account. “Okay, you have the money. Now, let them go, right? You’re not going to go back on your word?”
The kidnapper checked his phone. Then, he
shook his head. “We’re men of our word. You
pay, we let them go.”
Carol sighed in relief. But the kidnapper went
on, “But… this is only five million.”
I was confused. “Isn’t that what you asked
for?”
The kidnapper scoffed. “I said five million, and
I meant it. But that’s the price for one. Not
two!”
“Since you only have five million, I can only let
one of them go. The other one… you’ll have to
get another five million. When you get the
money together, we’ll let them go!”
“So, which one do you choose? The guy or
the girl?”
It was obvious who we’d pick. Kevin, of
course. But before Carol or I could say
anything, Kevin shouted, “Don’t pick me! Save
Tiffany!”
Then, he turned to the kidnappers. “Let
Tiffany go. It’s my fault she’s in this mess. It’s
all my fault. If you want to kill someone, take
me!”
looked deeply into Tiffany’s eyes. “As long as
Tiffany’s alive, I’d be happy to die.‘
I bit my cheek hard, trying not to laugh.
Kevin was acting nothing like the scared,
selfish guy who blamed Tiffany for getting
him kidnapped last time.
Seven:
Tiffany was touched. Carol, on the other
hand, was furious. “Kevin, are you insane?
That tramp dragged you into this mess! Why
are you acting like an idiot?”
Amy rolled her eyes. “Kevin, don’t be crazy.
Your wife and Mom had to sell their houses
<
to get this money. You know the situation. If
you don’t go now, we’ll never get another five
million,”
Beth was a little calmer. She grabbed my
hand. “Kevin’s your husband. Say something!
If anything happens to him, I’ll never forgive
you,”
I rolled my eyes but said, “Honey, please,
come home. We’ll figure out how to get the
money. Think of Mom. You’re all she has!”
That got to Kevin.
He shook his head. “I’ve made up my mind.
Plus, Tiffany’s pregnant with my baby. I can’t
leave her. I can’t be a coward!”
Seeing that the kidnappers were still hesitant,
<
Kevin kept going. “Listen to me. Let Tiffany
- go.
If you let me go, my family won’t spend
another dime on Tiffany. But if you let Tiffany
go, my Mom and sisters will find a way to get
more money. If they can’t save me… then it’s just my fate!”
Kevin looked deeply into Tiffany’s eyes.
“Tiffany, I love you. If something happens to
me, don’t keep the baby. I don’t want the
child to be a burden.”
Tiffany started crying. “Kevin, I knew you
loved me! I knew I was right about you!”
Eight:
The kidnappers decided to let Tiffany go.
く
They untied her. Tiffany didn’t leave. Instead,
she ran to Kevin and sobbed in his arms.
“Kevin, don’t worry. We’re going home now.”
Kevin acted surprised. “Tiffany, I know you
want me to go with you, but I can’t. I’m a
man. I can’t leave you.”
20
Tiffany cried even harder. “Actually, the
kidnapping was fake.”
Seeing that Kevin was shocked, Tiffany
quickly explained. “Don’t be mad. But you
wouldn’t get a divorce, and I couldn’t tell if
you actually loved me or if you just wanted
something new and exciting.”
“You know I’m pregnant. I kept wondering if I
should even have the baby. So, I hired some
actors to stage this kidnapping. I needed to
<
know if your love was real.”
“Now I know. I’m going to have your baby. I
want to marry you!”
2010
Kevin had already known the whole time, but
he pretended to be shocked. He didn’t look
angry. He just sighed. “It’s my fault. I didn’t
make you feel safe. I don’t blame you. When
we get out of here, I’ll get a divorce and
marry you. We’ll give our baby a real family.”
They were deeply in love. Carol, Kevin’s
sisters, and I were staring in disbelief.
Tiffany turned to the kidnappers. “Are you
guys stupid? What are you waiting for? Untie
him!”
The kidnappers didn’t move. They started
く
laughing. “Are you out of your minds? I said,
five million more, then we’ll let him go. What
kind of sob story are you putting on?”
“Yeah, when did we say we were letting you
both go?”
Chapter 2
Nine:
Tiffany frowned. “Okay, that’s enough. You’ve
made your point. You can stop acting now, or
I’m docking your pay.”
“Seriously, guys? Don’t tell me you think.
you’re actually kidnappers? I hired you as
extras. Give me back the money, and let
Kevin go.”
But the kidnappers just laughed even harder.
く
“What are you, dumb or something? Can’t you
tell we’re real?”
