Chapter 3
Braelynn pushed down the uncomfortable feeling in her chest and casually pointed to a couple of appetizers. “These will do.”
The waiter took their order, and the food came out pretty quickly.
Throughout the meal, Zachary was focused on Carolina. He cut her steak for her, served her food, and even handed her tissues. He was attentive to every little thing.
A woman at the next table watched them with envy and whispered to her friend, “Look at him. And then look at you. It’s so annoying to compare people like this!”
Braelynn sat there quietly eating off her plate, finding it as bland as chewing on wax.
After the meal, Zachary drove Braelynn and Carolina back to the Aidley’s
villa.
As soon as they rolled into the neighborhood, folks out for a stroll or walking their dogs turned to check them out.
“Oh, Mr. Fidgett is bringing Carolina home?”
“I heard you two are getting married soon. What a great match!”
“Is that an engagement ring on Carolina’s finger? Wow, Mr. Fidgett is so generous and really knows how to spoil you!”
Carolina was loving all the compliments. Her ego was definitely boosted. She even held out her hand to flaunt that big diamond ring, its brilliance sparking oohs and aahs from the crowd.
Charter 3
Zachary stood off to the side, watching Carolina show off with a smile. full of warmth and affection.
Watching this scene, Braelynn felt a strange unease creeping into her
heart.
Wealth shouldn’t be flaunted like that. Carolina’s flashy behavior was bound to attract trouble.
When she got home, the first thing she did was stash away the expensive gadgets she had bought and some cash in a hidden spot of an old suitcase tucked away in the back of her walk–in closet.
At first, she wanted to talk to Carolina about it, but when she saw how much Carolina loved the ring–looking so proud that it seemed like she’d wear it even while sleeping–Braelynn realized her sister wouldn’t listen and might just think that Braelynn was jealous. So, Braelynn dropped the idea.
Late at night, everything was quiet.
Braelynn was deep asleep when suddenly a loud scream and the sound of glass breaking jolted her awake from downstairs.
“Ah! Help! Who are you? Let me go!”
That was Carolina’s voice.
Braelynn was startled. She shot up in bed, wide awake.
She quietly got out of bed and carefully cracked open her bedroom door to peek outside.
In the living room downstairs, two big guys in black hoods were holding Carolina down on the couch.
One of them growled, “Shut up! If you scream again, things are gonna get ugly for you! Now tell us. Where did you stash that diamond ring your
Chapter 3
were showing off earlier today? And the cash? The jewelry?”
Carolina was so scared she was shaking all struggling to catch her breath.
over, sobbing hard and
Braelynn felt a tingle on her scalp. She held her breath and carefully stepped back, planning to use the phone in her room to call the cops.
Just then, Carolina caught a glimpse of her through the crack in the door at the top of the stairs out of the corner of her eye. Grabbing onto what felt like a lifeline, Carolina let out a piercing scream. “Lynn! Lynn, help! Save me!”
That scream instantly made both intruders whip their heads toward Braelynn’s door.
“Damn it! There’s someone upstairs too!” One of them swore, then marched up the stairs and kicked open the door with one powerful kick.
Braelynn didn’t have time to dodge. Her phone went flying to the ground. as she was dragged down to the living room. She landed right next to Carolina, and they were both pinned down together.
Another thug came out of the master bedroom and said quietly, “Boss, I’ve looked everywhere. There’s not much cash or jewelry here.”
The gang leader’s eyes narrowed. A cold knife pressed against Braelynn’s cheek as he growled, “I heard you bought some valuable stuff too! Where did you stash it? If you don’t spill, I’ll cut your face!”
Fear hit Braelynn like a ton of bricks. Staring at that gleaming blade, she had no choice but to stutter out where her hidden things were to save herself. “It’s… it’s in my walk–in closet… in the secret compartment of that old brown suitcase at the back….
The thug quickly went over to search and actually found a hidden spot. When he opened it up, he saw brand–new gear and several stacks of cash
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inside.
11
The gang leader let out a satisfied grunt and then turned the knife toward the terrified Carolina. “What about you? Where did you hide your ring, jewelry, and cash?”
Carolina was crying her eyes out, her eyes darting around in a panic. Then suddenly, as if struck by inspiration, she pointed at the hidden compartment the gangster had just found and yelled, “She’s lying to you! Th… Those things in there are mine! She hasn’t even told you where her stuff is stashed! She hid hers somewhere way more secret! She’s trying to get me killed!”
