Chapter 109

Kathy wiped her tears and glared at Simon.

Then she turned to me and said, "Good thing you're okay. With your health, even a small injury could take forever to heal."

I couldn't help but laugh. "It's not that bad. See? I'm fine."

Royce frowned at me. "Is Kathy wrong? You're an adult. Don't you know how to take care of yourself?"

I pouted at Kathy.

Kathy chuckled at my expression. "You have no idea how worried Royce has been about you these past few days. He stayed by your bedside the whole time, didn't go anywhere. You didn't eat for days, and neither did he."

I glanced at Royce, who avoided my gaze and stood by the window, silent.

I didn't know what to feel, so I asked Simon to set the table and invited Royce to join us for dinner.

At the table, we talked about my kidnapping.

I asked, "Did you catch anyone else besides the guy who grabbed me?"

"There were more than one person involved. I remember at least four or five people around me when I was shoved into that van."

Simon shook his head, looking serious. "No, the suspects were very cunning. They seemed to have gotten wind of our plans and escaped early, leaving that one guy to take the fall."

"We're trying to find traces in the area, but it rained heavily a couple of days ago, so it's going to be tough."

I nodded and voiced my suspicion. "I think my kidnapping might have something to do with Renee."

Everyone looked at me, and Simon asked, "What makes you say that?"

I replied, "The guy kept saying he kidnapped me for ransom, demanding Brandon pay up. But does Brandon even know about this? If he did, with his dramatic personality, he would have been right there with the police to rescue me."

"So, the ransom story is probably a lie. If they didn't kidnap me for money, what was their motive? Remember when Asher was kidnapped?"

"Asher said he was taken by a group planning to sell his organs at the border. I suspect they had the same plan for me. But I don't know why they kept me in that abandoned factory for two days."

My theory left everyone in silence.

Without evidence, it was just a theory. The key was to find the kidnappers and get them to talk.

But that was easier said than done.

I felt like we were fighting an invisible hand, always one step ahead, controlling everything from the shadows. The sense of powerlessness was overwhelming.

We had to take it one step at a time. Overthinking wouldn't get us anywhere.

I suddenly remembered Jason and looked at Simon. "Any news about Jason?"

Simon shook his head. "No, we still don't know where they're hiding him. We've ramped up surveillance on Shirley, but she hasn't made any moves."

I sighed, recalling a dream I had while I was unconscious.

In the dream, Jason was calling out to me. We were in a thick fog, and I could only hear his voice, guiding me. But the fog never cleared, and I couldn't see him.

I felt like he was waiting for me to save him.

"Shirley and Paula must know something. We need to find a way to get them to talk."

Simon and the others nodded in agreement. "You're right."

After dinner, Kathy suddenly pulled Simon to leave. Before they left, she winked and said, "Royce has been really worried about you. We'll give you two some alone time. Brandon will be back from work soon, and you won't have any time then."

I reached out to stop them, but Simon and Kathy were already out the door, leaving me alone with Royce.

I gave Royce an awkward smile. Why did it always end up like this? Just the two of us alone. It made me anxious.

I forced a smile. "Did you get enough to eat?"

Royce looked at me with deep eyes and nodded. "Did you?"

"Yeah, I'm full."

The room fell into silence. Neither of us knew what to say.

After all, we had a ten-year gap between us. No amount of talking could bridge that gap.

"Um," I finally broke the silence, feeling conflicted. "Thank you for everything."

Royce leaned against the window, chuckling softly. "When will you stop thanking me?"

I held my breath, my heart racing, making me restless.

"Thanks are in order when they're due."

He laughed and walked closer.

I felt a sudden tension, gripping the blanket. "What are you doing?"

Royce smiled. "Why are you so nervous?"

I clutched the blanket tighter, retreating a bit.

But Royce kept advancing.

Until he was right in front of me, like that time in the private room. I closed my eyes, tense.

The touch I expected didn't come.

I opened my eyes to see Royce smiling at me.

He asked softly, "Why did you close your eyes?"

I felt embarrassed. I was a mother of three, yet I still made such a blunder.

I couldn't help but feel annoyed. "Royce, can you stop teasing me?"

Royce laughed but said nothing.

I glared at him, but he suddenly leaned in.

Before I could react, he kissed me.

In that moment, I could hear my own breathing and heartbeat.

Thankfully, Royce didn't do anything more, just a brief kiss.

But my heart was already in chaos. "What are you doing? Why did you do that?"

Royce chuckled. "You closed your eyes. If I didn't meet your expectations, wouldn't you be disappointed?"

"So, I was just fulfilling your wish."