Chapter 1000:

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For several seconds, he said nothing. Then came another cold, unsettling laugh. “I know exactly what I’m doing. I’ve never been more certain of anything. I’ve simply realized that if I can’t have what I want, then I’ll make sure nobody else gets it either.”

His next words sent another wave of dread through me. “Listen carefully. Melisa is the only one capable of making the antidote. Now she’s in my hands, which means I control whether you and Ethan live or die. So tell me, Lianne. Do you think Ethan will come running to save her?”

My heart sank.

His voice became increasingly manic. “The moment this call ends, Ethan’s countdown begins. Let’s find out whether he can reach her before I end her life.”

The line went dead before I could bargain with him.

I stood there with the phone pressed against my ear, my fingers numb with cold.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps came from upstairs. Silas appeared at the bottom of the staircase, his little face unusually serious. He hurried toward me with his tablet held tightly in both hands. “Mom! Something about that call felt wrong, so I secretly tracked where it came from. He had several layers of protection around his location, but I managed to narrow it down.”

I stared at him in surprise before taking the tablet from his hands. A red marker blinked steadily on the map.

Silas looked up at me, clearly pleased with himself. “Dad taught me that whenever we get a suspicious call, I should try to trace the source first. I did what he taught me. Was that good?”

I crouched down and pulled him into a tight embrace. “Yes, sweetheart. You did an amazing job.”

I immediately took the tablet and went looking for Ethan. He had just stepped out of the study when he saw my expression. His face tightened with concern. I handed him the device and quickly told him everything Brian had said, including the fact that Melisa had been taken.

а𝘤𝗍𝗶𝘷е c𝗈𝘮muո𝗶ty 𝗈𝘯 𝘨𝖺𝘭𝗻𝗼𝘷els.со𝘮

Ethan’s expression became grim. He studied the location for barely a moment before turning toward the door.

I instinctively moved after him. “I’m going with you.”

He stopped and turned back. Taking my hand firmly, he looked straight into my eyes. “No. I’ve already contacted Jeremy. We have no idea what we’re walking into, and your condition makes this too dangerous. If you come along, I’ll have to worry about protecting you as well.”

Fear twisted painfully inside me, but the determination in his eyes made it clear that arguing wouldn’t change his mind. Reluctantly, I nodded.

As he started toward the door, I tightened my hold on his hand.

He glanced back.

My eyes burned, and when I spoke, my voice came out unsteady. “Ethan, forget about the antidote. I don’t care about it anymore. I just need you to come home safely.”

He stared at me without answering.

For several heartbeats, neither of us moved. Then he slowly loosened my fingers one by one, turned away, and walked out in haste.

The door closed behind him. I remained where I was, listening as his footsteps gradually disappeared, while an unbearable ache tore through my chest.

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