Chapter 683

The silence on the other end of the line made Alexander think Andrew was hesitating. "I heard you came from money," he taunted. "Now your whole family's gone except for that sister of yours. What's wrong? Don't care if she lives or dies?"

"Give me the address. Don’t touch her."

"We'll talk when you get here."

The call ended, and Andrew’s expression darkened.

Daniel Foster had an army of men loyal to him. Walking into their hideout alone would be suicide.

Given how much they despised him, they’d tear him apart the second he stepped inside.

And Daniel had made it clear—come alone, or Isabella dies.

Andrew knew the odds.

If he wanted to survive this, he’d need backup.

But the police had been breathing down their necks lately. A full-scale operation would draw too much attention—risk exposing everything they’d built.

Yet, within minutes, his decision was made.

Isabella was non-negotiable.

He headed for the door.

Sebastian rushed after him. "I'm coming with you!"

Andrew didn’t even glance back.

Evelyn had just reached the stairwell when her phone buzzed.

Alexander.

Her pulse jumped as she answered.

His voice was tense. "Damian? Where did you see him?"

"At Willow Mall. I got Natalie a gift and picked up ties for you. Heading back now."

"You went alone?" His tone sharpened. "With your stomach that big, you should’ve told me. What if something happened?"

The sound of wind rushing through the phone told her he was already speeding toward her.

"I went with Gale. Besides, you were busy looking for Isabella. I checked your study—you weren’t there." Her voice softened, fingers tightening around the shopping bag.

A beat of silence. Then, guilt laced his words.

"I was searching for her. Extremists took her. The police are on it. But if you wanted to shop, you should’ve told me. I’d have made time."

Evelyn said nothing.

"Are you angry?" he murmured.

"No."

"Then why so quiet?"

"Just don’t feel like talking."

Alexander exhaled. "Andrew’s death… it’s on me. For years, I’ve dreamed of killing him with my own hands, Evelyn. It haunts me."

She understood.

Alexander was a man of principle. Years ago, he and Andrew had been taken hostage by drug lords.

Only Alexander came back.

The captors forced them to fight—only one would survive. The trauma nearly broke him.

Andrew’s disappearance left Alexander convinced he’d killed him in a blind rage.

Now, that guilt extended to Isabella.

Evelyn hadn’t lived through his nightmares, but she knew he’d move heaven and earth to keep Isabella safe.

"Any leads?" she asked.

"If I had any, I wouldn’t be losing my mind." He rubbed his temples. "I’ll meet you at the mall. Where exactly are you?"

"Don’t bother. I’m already leaving."

As she spoke, she stepped into the parking garage.

The space was vast, shadows stretching between flickering lights.

Then—headlights.

Blinding high beams seared her vision.

She barely had time to react before Ethan’s shout echoed behind her. "Evelyn, MOVE!"

Her blood turned to ice.

The truck wasn’t slowing down.

It was accelerating.

Alexander’s voice crackled through the phone. "Evelyn? What’s happening?"

No time to answer.

Pregnant. Exposed. Nowhere to run.

The driver swerved, matching her frantic steps.

Then—pain.

A contraction ripped through her, dropping her to her knees.

She twisted, shielding her belly with her body as the truck bore down.

Ethan sprinted toward her, screaming at the driver. "STOP!"

But Damian Cross didn’t care.

Revenge burned in his bloodshot eyes.

Alexander had put him behind bars. Now, he’d take everything from him.

He floored the gas.

BANG.

A figure lunged from the shadows—colliding with the truck.

The impact sent Dominic Powell crashing onto the hood, cracking the windshield.

Damian slammed the brakes.

Evelyn gasped, clutching her stomach.

Blood pooled beneath her.

"EVELYN!"

Ethan skidded to her side, hands shaking as he pulled her into his arms.

"I’ve got you—hospital now—just hold on—"

His voice broke.

His palms were slick with her blood.

Dominic groaned, pushing himself up from the pavement, blood dripping from his lips.

Evelyn’s vision blurred.

The last thing she heard was Alexander’s distant scream through the phone.

Then—darkness.