Chapter: 3

Kaitlin refused to draw comparisons to someone who had passed away, but Ashley was a continual source of pain in their marriage, stabbing her heart over and over.

After three years of enduring, all she had to show was a shattered heart.

“Damn it! You say you're Alan Hewitt's wife, yet he won't even answer your calls!"

The group leader pulled her hair and struck her across the face with a sharp slap. “We feared the Hewitt family might retaliate, but it's clear they don't care about you, so we're free to do as we please! Come on, guys, let's enjoy ourselves! Who cares if she's Alan Hewitt's wife?"

The sharp pain in her scalp elicited a groan from Kaitlin. Seeing the vile grins on her kidnappers’ faces, she balled her hands into fists.

She was determined to resist them, even if it meant her death!

As they approached, she lunged at the closest man, striking his abdomen. Seizing the moment, she sprinted towards a partially open window.

Her vision clouded with blood, her head spun, and blood dripped from a wound on her forehead as she lost consciousness.

"The patient is stable, but her head injury is severe. It's uncertain when she will regain consciousness."

"Thank heavens the special forces were already on their trail. Otherwise, who knows..."

Soft, indistinct voices surrounded her.

Struggling to regain her senses, Kaitlin managed to pry her eyes open, only to see a blur of white.

The pungent scent of disinfectant overwhelmed her senses, and through the haze, she caught the murmur of Alan's assistant. "Thank you, doctor."

She was still alive?

Gradually, Kaitlin's awareness crept back. Pain radiated through her, as if her body had been shredded.

“Mrs. Hewitt, you're awake?!" The assistant noticed her stirring and hurried over, his voice laced with concern. "Does it hurt?"

Kaitlin glanced around the sterile hospital room, her voice barely a whisper. “Where's Alan?"

The assistant's face tensed, and after a moment's hesitation, he muttered, “He... had to handle something. He might be here later."

Kaitlin was overwhelmed by disappointment.

Was there something more urgent than this?

Did he really not care for her?

Could he really be so indifferent to whether she survived?

Her voice rough, Kaitlin murmured, "I see. You may leave. Thanks for coming."

The assistant lingered, as if he wanted to add more, but remembering Alan's stern orders, he remained silent and exited the room.