Chapter 210

chapter.

Whether this nightmare would end or continue to haunt me for the rest of my life depended on what happened next. I couldn't help but worry.

Savannah and Simon moved ahead, following Shirley closely and leaving markers for us along the way.

Royce and I followed, step by step.

The walkie-talkie in my hand kept transmitting their voices.

"We see Shirley. She's heading deeper into the woods."

Just then, I heard a child's loud cry piercing through the night.

It was like something exploded in the dark sky.

My hands trembled uncontrollably. I quickly asked, "What's happening?"

Simon's voice sounded a bit excited. "We found Aria. Don't worry, she's still in Shirley's arms."

"She's holding the kid and hasn't moved. We didn't approach her, afraid she might do something to the kid."

Royce and I rushed over and saw Shirley sitting in a cave, holding the child.

As soon as I arrived, Shirley looked up sharply, her eyes, now dark and terrifying, fixed on me.

"Caroline, you really came?"

"I thought Paula was lying to me, but..."

Seeing that she had noticed me, I didn't bother hiding anymore. My voice trembled, "Shirley, I don't care what you think, the kid is innocent. If you have any issues, take them out on me. Just let my kid go."

Shirley chuckled softly. "Aria has been with me since she was little. I never intended to hurt her. Why would you say that?"

"But if you take another step forward, I will kill her right here."

Shirley pulled out a small knife from somewhere and held it to Aria's neck.

Feeling the cold blade, Aria started crying loudly, her voice echoing through the forest.

I bit my lip, too scared to move, as we all stood there, facing off against Shirley.

"Mom, mom!"

Aria couldn't speak yet, only managing to utter a few sounds, but even those small sounds broke my heart.

I looked at the child in Shirley's arms and pleaded, "Shirley, I'm begging you. Take me instead. Let my kid go. She's innocent. She doesn't deserve this."

Shirley scoffed, "You wish. I'm taking Aria and Brandon to a place where no one knows us. We'll never be apart. We'll be a happy family."

She looked down at Aria and asked eerily, "Isn't that right?"

But Aria, sensing the danger, cried even harder.

Aria's reaction seemed to annoy Shirley. She tightened her grip on Aria's neck. "Shut up! What's so bad about being with me?"

"I'll take you abroad. You'll be my and Brandon's child. We'll live a happy life together. Isn't that good?"

Aria's face turned blue and purple from lack of oxygen, her cries becoming intermittent.

I felt my heart shatter and fell to my knees. "Shirley, I'm begging you. Please let her go."

But Shirley wasn't moved. She snorted and didn't say a word.

However, she did loosen her grip on Aria's neck, and the child immediately took deep breaths, looking pitiful.

Just then, we heard footsteps behind us. Turning around, we saw Brandon approaching.

He glared at Shirley. "You wretch, you've already killed one of my kids. Are you trying to kill another?"

Shirley's eyes lit up when she saw Brandon. "Brandon, this is our child. Let's take her abroad and settle down, okay?"

"I'll be a full-time housewife, cook for the child, and take her to school. You just need to earn money. I'll take care of everything at home."

Her eyes showed a glimmer of hope as she looked at Brandon cautiously. "Let's live like that, okay?"

Brandon sneered and spat on the ground. "Shirley, look at yourself. Do you think you're worthy?"

"To be honest, I only tricked you into going abroad to use you. You're just the most useful dog I have."

"You're even better than a dog. A dog needs a bone to be controlled, but I just need to say a few words, and you obey me."

"Why would I want a woman as cheap as you?"

Shirley's hopeful look shattered into pieces.

She looked at Brandon in despair. "Why did you lie to me? Why?"

Her voice was heart-wrenching, filled with pain.

"Fine, if you lied to me, then I'll kill this child right now. If I can't have that life, then this child doesn't need to exist in this world!"

Her eyes turned cold as she reached for Aria's neck, seemingly intent on killing her.

At that moment, Aria murmured softly, "Ms. Ross, save me."

Shirley froze, looking at Aria in disbelief.

Shirley had been with Aria during her early years and had taught her that phrase many times.

But by the time the children could speak, Shirley had already been driven away by me, so they might have remembered it in their hearts.

Hearing it now, in this situation, Shirley hesitated, her eyes showing a struggle.

I quickly urged, "Shirley, what does Brandon matter? This child was raised by you. Can you really bear to hurt her?"

"Even though she was separated from you, she still remembers you."

"Shirley, do you really want to harm a child who truly loves you? Maybe she's the only one in this world who will treat you sincerely."

Tears streamed down Shirley's face.

She held Aria and cried uncontrollably.

Just then, we heard a whistling sound, and something hit the wall of the cave where Shirley was standing.