"You have three days! Get me 20 million in cash! Otherwise, I'll tell Arthur the truth about how his sons really died! Let your precious son see what kind of venomous snake his mother really is!" Annie struggled to breathe, frantically clawing at his hands. She choked out, "I... I'll...cough... I'll pay! Let... go!" Draven released her. Annie collapsed to the floor like a rag doll, coughing and gasping for air. "I'm warning you, don't try anything funny! In three days, I want to see real money! Or you'll be sorry!" Draven snarled. Annie lay on the floor, looking up at him. Slowly, her hands clenched into fists. When her color improved slightly, she swallowed and said, "Fine. But 20 million in cash isn't a small amount. It takes time to gather that much, and banks need notice for large cash withdrawals. Three days isn't enough. I need at least ten.""No! Ten days is too long!" Annie bargained. "Then seven. That's the absolute minimum." Draven thought for a moment. "Alright. Seven days. And this hotel—you're paying for the week." Annie got to her feet. "Fine. I'll go extend the reservation." When she left the hotel, dusk had fallen. A cold wind swept in from the horizon. She hugged her arms tightly. Autumn was coming. She drove back to her own hotel in a daze, her foot heavy on the accelerator. She couldn't lose. She couldn't fall. Anyone who stood in her way would be dealt with. "Mommy! You're back! I missed you so much!" Jett opened the door and wrapped his arms around Annie's legs.After their time together, Jett had fully embraced calling her "Mommy," even using it when they were alone. A sudden rush of emotion hit Annie. She wanted to cry. Tilting her head back, she forced the tears down. She crouched and hugged Jett tightly, her voice thick. "Jett, Mommy is going to miss you so much." She couldn't hold back the sob that escaped. Why? Why?! Every time she thought her life was finally turning around, something like this happened! When she wanted to confess her feelings to Jethro, loan sharks kidnapped her—and she came terrifyingly close to being raped. When she and Jethro officially started dating, thinking she'd marry him after graduation, her father's plan failed. When she thought her son would finally be her ticket into the Blackwood family, her uncle showed up to blackmail her.Fate, you've been so unfair to me! If you never meant for me to be happy, you shouldn't have let me enter the Blackwood world, shouldn't have let me meet Jethro! If she'd never seen something good, she wouldn't have longed for it. "Mommy, don't cry. It makes me sad," Jett said, reaching up to wipe her tears. Annie laughed through her tears, hugging him again. "Jett, Mommy promised you a good life. Mommy will make it happen." "It's okay if we don't have a good life," Jett said in his clear, childish voice. "Being with Mommy is a good life." Besides, this was already so much better than the children's home. He was content. Annie kissed his forehead, her heart a mix of warmth and bitter ache. Seven days later, Annie called Draven. "The money is ready. Two large suitcases of cash would be too conspicuous at the hotel. I've left them at an abandoned factory in the suburb. There's also a used car with fake plates there. Take the money, take the car, and leave. Never come back to Aethelburg." Draven replied, "Don't you worry. Once I have the money, you'll never see me again. I won't breathe a word about us to anyone." Twenty million. That's 20 million! Enough to live comfortably for the rest of my life! Annie hung up, her fingers trembling slightly. She knew Draven wouldn't keep his word. He never had. But this time, she wouldn't give him the chance. Draven eagerly took a taxi to the outskirts of the city. He walked another mile before finding the abandoned factory. Bent over and panting, he grumbled, "This place is in the middle of nowhere. I almost got lost." "It wouldn't be discreet otherwise." A cool voice came from inside the shadowy building. Annie stood near a deep, unused pit in the factory floor, dressed in a black trench coat. Her face was pale, but her eyes were unnervingly calm. She said dryly, "A man looking like you, lugging two suitcases—too eye-catching. You might get robbed." Draven chuckled, "Smart as always. Thinking of everything." Annie pointed to two big suitcases at her feet. "What you asked for." Draven's eyes gleamed with naked greed. He swallowed hard. Good lord, so 20 million dollars in cash takes up this much space. Annie saw his greedy look. A faint, derisive smile touched her lips. She nudged one of the suitcases with her foot. "Want to open it and check?" Draven rubbed his hands together. "We're family. Of course I trust you. But since you offered, I shouldn't refuse." He gave a low, eager chuckle, crouched down, carefully laid the suitcase flat, and with a softclick, released the latches.