The Kidnapped Child Is Actually His Mistress's Son

My phone screen flashed to life.

A video started playing on its own.

There was Liam—my Liam—tied to a chair.

A masked kidnapper swung a hammer hard against his fingers.

One finger.

Then another.

Blood sprayed everywhere.

A message flashed across the screen:

"One hundred million dollars ransom. Wire the money. Or next time, it's his head."

My hands shook so badly I could barely keep hold of the phone. My heart hammered against my ribs like it wanted out.

I fought to stay calm and immediately logged into my bank account to make the transfer.

A system alert blinked back at me:

"Account Frozen."

The one who froze it? Scarlett Roscente.

Alexander Roscente's secretary.

And his very public mistress.

I charged into the CEO's office.

Scarlett was lounging in Alexander's chair, casually applying lipstick.

She glanced up, her eyes full of contempt.

"Oh, you made it here quick. Need money?"

She pulled a single bill from her wallet and flung it right at my face.

The edge of it scratched my cheek—stung just enough to be insulting.

"Two hundred fifty dollars. For you."

She burst out laughing, her whole body shaking with spite.

"Try negotiating with the kidnappers. Pay in installments. Get the child back in installments too. How about that?"

I raised my hand and slapped her.

Then I hit her again with the back of my hand.

The sharp crack echoed through the office.

Scarlett covered her face and shrieked, "How dare you hit me!"

The office door flew open.

Alexander rushed in, shoving me aside like I was nothing. He moved straight to shield Scarlett.

I stumbled back, crashing hard into the coffee table. A sharp pain shot through my ribs.

His voice was ice. "Apologize."

I braced myself against the table and stood back up. "She froze the joint account. Liam's been kidnapped!"

Alexander scoffed. "Quite the story. Let me tell you the truth. Scarlett and I already have a son. Be smart about this. That child might still call you 'Mom'."

My phone buzzed.

Another video from the kidnapper.

Liam's fingers were a bloody, mangled mess.

But as the camera zoomed in…

I froze.

That wasn't Liam.

They looked almost identical—but this boy had no mole by his eye.

Suddenly, everything went still inside me.

I transferred the two hundred and fifty dollars to the kidnapper and made the note perfectly clear:

"Partial payment as requested by the child's biological mother. Please return the child in partial installments."

Scarlett's face went pale.

Alexander didn't notice. He was too busy gently stroking her cheek.

I walked out into the hallway, found a quiet corner, and video-called Liam.

He picked up after two rings.

His little face filled the screen. "Mommy! I'm at the airport! Uncle and I won the championship!"

Airport announcements echoed in the background.

Tears pricked at my eyes. "My baby is amazing. Mommy will wait for you to come home."

I ended the call.

When I turned around, I saw Scarlett directing employees to hang up a black-and-white photo.

It was Liam's face.

Underneath, it read: "In Loving Memory."

I rushed over and tore it to pieces. Shreds of paper fluttered to the floor.

Scarlett put on a fake sad face. "My condolences, sister. I'm only doing this for your own good."

I laughed coldly. "Save your condolences for yourself. It's your son who's been kidnapped."

Scarlett's face went ghost white. She threw herself into Alexander's arms, sobbing. "She cursed Noah!"

Alexander slapped me hard across the face. "You bitch! Haven't you and your son sucked enough of my blood? You want money? Then take your clothes off! One thousand dollars per piece!"