The Night He Chose Her, His Hair Turned White

1 The night my in-laws were kidnapped, my husband was off camping with Scarlett, the girl he’d always carried a torch for. I didn't try to stop him, not a word. I just called 911 immediately. In my last life, I’d held him back. He stayed to rescue his parents, missing his chance to be with Scarlett. Later, she was found in the mountains, mauled to death by wolves, a truly horrific sight. Afterwards, my husband became a ghost in his own home, silent and distant, until I was heavily pregnant, on the verge of labor. He abandoned me deep in those same mountains. “Sarah Wilson,” he’d snarled, his eyes blazing with a chilling madness, “if it weren’t for you, Scarlett would be alive! How can you live so peacefully? I want to watch you suffer every agonizing moment she did!” Torn apart by wild beasts, both my child and I perished. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the very day my in-laws were kidnapped. This time, he didn't join the rescue. He got his wish, saving Scarlett, but the experience turned his hair white overnight. A terrified scream tore from my throat as my eyes snapped open. My body was drenched in a cold sweat, my clothes clinging to me. The phantom agony of flesh being ripped still lingered. I reached down, my hand pressing against my flat stomach, listening to the frantic thrum of my heart. Tears, like broken strings of pearls, streamed down my face. I fumbled for my phone, squinting at the time. I was reborn. It was the very day my in-laws would be taken. Any moment now, the kidnappers would call, demanding thirty million dollars in ransom money, to be delivered within thirty minutes, or they’d execute them. Ethan and I had been childhood sweethearts. Our families had agreed to an arranged marriage for us when we were just children. Whether it was for a strategic family alliance or simply because of my heart’s unwavering devotion, I knew I was destined to be his wife. I was aware of his previous girlfriend, but his family had never approved. Before we married, I’d asked him, searching his eyes for truth: was he marrying me willingly? Was it out of love? He’d answered yes, both times. reassured, I walked down the aisle with him, into what I hoped would be a lifetime of happiness. After the wedding, he grew distant, cold, and still tangled with his ex. I pretended not to see, not to hear, silent. I loved him. I didn't want to lose him, didn't want to lose our marriage. For that, I’d paid with my life, and tragically, the life of the child I’d carried for ten months. Given this second chance, I wouldn't make the same mistakes. I watched Ethan Miller jog down the stairs, his footsteps echoing in the silence of the vast living room. Slowly, deliberately, I rose from the sofa. Our eyes met. His voice was low, laced with an unsettling edge. “I won’t be home tonight.” I said nothing, merely turning my head toward the phone beside the sofa. It was ringing. The kidnappers. I snatched it up, hitting speakerphone. “Robert Miller and Eleanor Miller are in our hands. Thirty million dollars in ransom. Deliver it to Grandview Plaza in thirty minutes. If you dare call the police, they die instantly!” The kidnapper’s harsh voice filled the room. Ethan merely frowned, then let out a scoffing, disbelieving laugh. “Sarah Wilson, isn't this getting a little old?” he sneered. “How long are you going to keep them playing this charade for you?” I looked at his face, remembering how he’d watched me fall into that hellish abyss. Ten years of love, perhaps more, dissolved like smoke. “Ethan Miller, you heard the call. What you choose to do is your business. I'm not involved. If you want to believe it's a performance, that's fine. But let me emphasize this: I am not putting on a show with them.” Perhaps my voice was too calm, too devoid of the panic he expected. Ethan hesitated for a moment, a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. But in the end, he turned and strode out, his footsteps echoing with finality. In the last life, when he received that same call, Ethan had reacted the same way. But I knew it wasn't a charade. I’d desperately held him back, and after a night of frantic searching, his parents were rescued. But as soon as they were safe, he vanished, only to return with the devastating news of Scarlett Reed’s death. 2 He blamed me for everything. After Ethan left, I immediately called 911. Thirty million dollars wasn’t a small sum, and it had to be cash. I couldn't just produce it instantly. Besides, there was no guarantee the kidnappers would release them even if they got the money. I had to call the police, let the professionals handle this. I dialed 911, and they dispatched officers from the nearest precinct. But before the police arrived at my door, I received a call from someone familiar. “Hey, Sarah, it’s Mike Davis. Are you and Ethan having problems?” My brow furrowed. “What do you want, Mike?” I asked, my voice edged with impatience. “Well, you just called 911, didn’t you? I know we’re friends, but making false police reports isn’t a small matter. You and Ethan can argue all you want, but you can’t go wild like this. Ethan and Scarlett have nothing going on. You’re being so relentless, it's making Ethan look like a fool.” I listened for a while, finally understanding what he was implying. “What are you saying? Did Ethan tell you I made a false report?” A silence stretched on the other end. I let out a soft, humorless laugh. “Mike, I advise you to dispatch officers immediately to handle this situation. Otherwise, I’ll be filing a complaint.” Mike scoffed. “Sarah Wilson, don’t treat everyone like Ethan Miller, ready to do your bidding. I’m not your family’s security. You’re a shrew. Scarlett’s little finger is worth more than you.” I hung up. Then I redialed 911, and immediately reported Mike. The second police unit arrived about fifteen minutes later. They asked me a few questions and listened to the recording of the first call. Everyone’s expression was grim. They quickly traced the incoming number; it was unregistered, and calling back got a disconnected signal. All they could do was wait for another call. While the officers waited, I contacted my private financial manager. “How much liquid cash do I have available?” I asked, my voice steady despite the turmoil within. “Seventeen million? Prepare all of it.” After hanging up, I called Ethan’s uncle, David Miller. Hearing that Robert and Eleanor had been kidnapped, he gasped. “Who did it? Is Ethan there?” “I don’t know who the kidnappers are, Uncle. Ethan went camping with Scarlett. They’re demanding thirty million dollars in cash. I can’t raise enough on my own. Can you gather what you can? I’ll pay you back in a week.” “Sarah, child, for my brother and sister-in-law? Don’t talk about paying me back! How much are you short?” “Thirteen million.” “Don’t worry, I’ll get it.” The half-hour flew by. The phone rang again. I snatched it up, and the tech officer beside me immediately began tracing the call, but quickly shook his head. Untraceable. My heart sank. I heard the kidnapper’s harsh voice. “Time’s up. Is the money delivered?” “Not yet. Please, I need more time. My husband isn’t here, and I don’t have that much money on hand.” “I told you. If the money isn’t here when time’s up, we execute them!” I pleaded desperately, “Don’t hurt them! You want money, don’t you? Killing them means you get nothing. That’s a loss. Give me another half-hour. I promise I’ll have the money then.” No sooner had I spoken than my in-laws’ agonizing screams echoed from the phone. The kidnapper’s cruel voice cut in again. “Half an hour. Five fingers per person! If you want to stall, then stall away!” The call disconnected. Just then, Mike appeared in the doorway. He’d heard everything. His face was ashen, his eyes wide with horror. 3 “Ethan told me,” Mike stammered, his voice barely a whisper, “he said your parents were just putting on a show to keep him home…” I didn’t bother to reply. The officer beside me spoke instead. “Call Ethan. Tell him what’s happening.” Mike nodded, stepping aside to make the call. A dial tone, then a voice: “The number you have dialed is currently busy.” I thought of Eleanor, so delicate, needing even a hot water scald to be blown on. Now, I couldn’t imagine the pain she was enduring. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself, and quickly called Uncle David. His line was also busy. Just minutes after I hung up, Uncle David called me. Before I could even ask if he’d managed to gather the money, he sighed deeply. “Sarah, it’s not that your uncle is scolding you, but how could you use such a thing to trick your elders? Your aunt and uncle spoil you, but you need to tell them to be reasonable. If I hadn’t asked Ethan, my heart would’ve given out from the shock.” In that moment, my heart turned to ashes. “Ethan told you this was a charade? Uncle, you don’t have to believe me, but can you reach my in-laws? The police are here with me right now.” The person on the other end sighed repeatedly. Then he said, “Ethan has someone else in his heart, child. If it’s truly not working, just divorce him. It would be a relief for both of you.” I hung up. Mike, meanwhile, had finally gotten through to Ethan. “Ethan, you need to come back now,” Mike urged, his voice strained. “Your mom and dad… it looks like they really have been kidnapped.” But it wasn’t Ethan who replied. It was Scarlett. “Mikey, are you playing along with Miss Sarah’s little act too? Your Ethan is barbecuing right now. I’ll tell him to pick up.” A moment later, I heard Scarlett relay Mike’s words to Ethan. Ethan didn’t even take the phone. He just told Scarlett, “Hang up. That lunatic Sarah. She can’t stand to see anyone happy for a day.” The call ended. Mike looked at me, his brow deeply furrowed. I lowered my gaze, a bitter smile twisting my lips. “I have no other ideas, but they told me to bring the money to Grandview Plaza. Even though it’s not enough, I have to go. If I go as bait, won't that increase your chances of solving the case?” The female officer beside me stepped forward. “Miss Wilson, I’ll go deliver it.” I smiled. “What if the kidnappers recognize me? If you go, they’ll know something’s up. You protect me from the perimeter. I’ll deliver it myself.” Since no one else had a viable plan, they agreed to my request. When the kidnappers called again, I bluffed, telling them I had gathered the money. I pressed them to confirm the delivery location, assuring them I’d bring it myself, a direct exchange of people for money. I heard a cold chuckle on the other end, then a casual reply: “Alright.” A sudden, chilling dread settled in my gut. Before he hung up, I quickly asked, “I need to hear them.” “Why the rush, Miss Wilson? You’ll see them soon enough.” With that, the call ended. I had my financial manager withdraw the cash. I dragged a suitcase stuffed with money to the designated spot. Then, the kidnappers called again, telling me to go to the underground parking lot; my in-laws were waiting there. I ignored the money; the police were upstairs. I sprinted into the underground parking garage. I found Eleanor and Robert’s car. The door was open. Both of them had their throats slit, blood gushing from the horrific wounds. Tears streamed down my face, uncontrollable. I stumbled forward, my legs threatening to give out, pulling out my phone and dialing 911 as I ran. “Grandview Plaza, underground parking! Two people, throats slit! Please hurry!” I desperately clutched their hands. “Mom, Dad, hold on! The doctors will be here soon!”

? Continue the story here ?? ? Download the "MotoNovel" app ? search for "392881", and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel