Chapter 6
The chat blew up, but Aunt Karen was still
trying to claim it was all Photoshopped to
“scam” them.
Nobody was buying it.
Then Uncle Gary sent a voice note that shut
everyone up real fast.
“I already wired the freakin‘ money, now get my
daughter back safe!”
Chapter 7
I got the wire transfer and immediately sent it
to Earl.
A few minutes later, Earl confirmed receipt, but
then sent a cold text.
“Should have paid sooner, now its too late! We
<
hate people who don’t hold up their end of the
bargain!”
I waited a minute, sending back a “nooo” but it
was marked as unread.
I sent a screenshot in the group chat, following
up with a voice note, faking tears.
“Uncle, it’s too late! I’m begging you, call the
cops!”
Uncle Gary replied with a minute–long voice
message, nothing but curses and threats.
Soon, my parents told me he was going to the
police.
Days later, I was outside the bank, and my
parents called me again.
I could hear my mom sobbing in the
background.
<
“Come back right now. Your uncle’s getting
threats, the guys are demanding a million bucks
or they’ll kill her!”
“We saw the videos, Tiffany’s barely
recognizable. Come home and help us get her
back!”
I said, “Mom, haven’t we helped him enough
over the years? Is it ever gonna end?”
My mom was quiet for a second.
“But they’re our family!”
I couldn’t hold back.
“Family? When did he ever treat us like family?
He said you were his slave, and I was his
daughter’s slave! You remember that? When
they locked me in the bathroom so you’d pay
for Tiffany’s college fund? Or when they spread
rumors that I was pregnant so vou’d buy her
く
dance outfits?”
“You gave them everything, and they never even
showed you any appreciation. They just made
fun of me at the holidays. Aren’t I your real daughter? You were never this bad until you saw I wasn’t your favorite. He’s always had that
stupid heart disease, and that’s why you love
him so much!”
“Mom, can you please wake up? He’s faking!”
She begged, “That’s not true! He wouldn’t do
that. There must be some mistake.”
I didn’t want to hear it, so I hung up.
I wasn’t making this up.
I just hoped my mom would come to her
senses.
That night, my dad told me, “Your mom asked
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“That’s the money I saved for you to start a
family with! I don’t want to help Gary, but her
life’s at risk. Maybe we should–”
I said no, “Dad, it’s my life savings, but it’s also
your retirement fund. You need to keep that
card safe, no matter what.”
My dad said yes, but he sounded worried, “Your
uncle’s sleeping on our couch, and your aunt’s
on the warpath. They’re acting like you’re the
enemy, you need to stay away, they won’t leave
you alone.”
No, I was going home.
I couldn’t run forever, I’d rather kill them all, and
get it over with.
Chapter 8
Days later, I went home.
8:33
<
642
42
I walked in and saw my aunt and uncle on the
couch, yelling at my parents.
“I’m not leaving! Your daughter took Tiffany out
there, so you’re responsible!”
I coughed, “Uncle, Tiffany chose to go with
them. I did everything I could, and you have to
accept it.”
Then they noticed me, staring.
Aunt Karen shrieked, trying to hit me, but I
dodged it and she fell.
Uncle Gary grabbed me and pulled me towards
him, lifting a fist to punch me.
Suddenly, a dozen relatives rushed in and
restrained him.
“How dare you, Gary? She called us to help you,
and you’re hurting her!”
Г
Gary was shocked, not expecting all this.
He shoved everyone away. “A bunch of losers,
can you even afford to pay the ransom?”
Some of the relatives rolled their eyes, ready to
leave, but I stopped them.
“My uncle’s just upset because his daughter
was kidnapped, and he didn’t mean that.
Everyone, can you come in, please?”
