Chapter 54

Andrew Lucas's gaze lingered briefly on Nicole Capra's tear-streaked face before settling on Daniel Almond.

The small figure trembled slightly in the cold wind.

A three-and-a-half-year-old child, who should have been carefree and joyful, stood heartbreakingly still.

Daniel's eyes remained fixed on Susan Thompson, filled with reluctance and longing.

Andrew's heart clenched. His hand instinctively reached out.

Then he froze mid-air.

"Andy, save Daniel!" Susan's forehead was bleeding from hitting the ground. "You'll regret this!"

Her plea stabbed through Andrew like a knife.

"Susan, Nicole can't be harmed."

Those words felt like a death sentence.

Susan went rigid. The light in her eyes dimmed.

She turned to the kidnapper, her voice hoarse. "Kill me! Take my life instead of his!"

"Your life is worthless," the kidnapper sneered.

"Mommy, don't cry." Daniel forced a smile, tears glistening in his eyes. "I like it when Mommy smiles."

Susan's tears hit the ground.

"Mommy should be happy every day." Daniel's voice grew fainter. "I don't want Daddy anymore. Mommy shouldn't want him either."

"Daniel!" Susan struggled desperately.

Daniel's final glance at Andrew held one word: "Unworthy."

The kidnapper shoved.

"No—!"

Susan lunged toward the cliff edge, grasping only air.

Swirling mist swallowed the small figure.

Blood and tears blurred her vision.

For a fleeting moment, she saw Andrew as a young man smiling at her.

"My dream is to be the best husband for Susan."

"I'll be the best father for Daniel."

Memories receded like the tide.

Reality pierced like ice.

Standing at the cliff's edge, Susan suddenly smiled.

The smile was breathtakingly beautiful yet hollow enough to chill the soul.

"Daniel, Mommy's coming."

She stepped forward.

The wind lifted her hair like a silent farewell.