“So, five million dollars for one person. You can only choose one, Mr. Marcello.”
Dad was in a difficult situation. It wasn't long before I heard Mom muttering something.
“Please, choose wisely, Marcello. The group's cash flow is not much. We can only take out five million. I think, let's save one first. I don’t think they dare to really kill the other girl.”
This sentence was light. Evelyn and I heard it at the same time. My heart surged with a hint of expectation. Evelyn immediately begged in fear.
“Dad and Mom, please save me! Save me first! You guys love me so much, right? You must save me first.”
The robbers didn't give my parents too much time to think about it. They started counting down.
“Three!”
“Two!”
As he counted down, the anticipation inside me grew stronger. I suddenly wanted to hear the choice from their own mouths.
I fantasized that as their biological daughter, they shouldn't abandon me.
The time came to the last second and Mom and Dad spoke in unison, “We chose Evelyn Ainsworth!”
The moment I heard the answer, my entire mind went blank as if I had been struck by lightning. The knot robber smiled meaningfully.
“Okay, hurry up and raise the funds. I'll give you half an hour.”
My parents agreed repeatedly. They then finally made a request.
“Can you let me talk to Audrey privately for a few minutes?”
Thinking that they wouldn't dare to play tricks with their two daughters on their hands, the robbers agreed.
The phone reached my ear. I wanted to call out “Mom and Dad”, but my throat felt like it was stuck and I couldn't get it out.
Dad's voice came through the microphone, “Audrey, don't be afraid. They don't dare to hurt you. When they get the money, they will return it to you and your sister, so you can go home safely.”
My mom also interrupted, “Your dad is right, Audrey. You have to be brave, okay? Your dad and I will definitely rescue you.”
My heart sobbed as I heard their comforting words. In their inner scales, Evelyn was the most important one.
In this gamble, I finally lost to Evelyn after all.
My parents were afraid Evelyn's life would be in danger. It made them not hesitate to give her the ransom, but used my life to bet that the robbers would not dare to kill me.
I choked and responded to them, “Dad and Mom, your kindness to your daughter's upbringing has been fulfilled in this life.”
Mom and Dad were completely flustered when they heard my words. “My daughter, what are you babbling about? You'll be fine.”
Without waiting for him to finish, I signalled the robber to take the phone away. He gave me a look. His eyes were full of sympathy.
Half an hour had come and gone. The robber confirmed that the ransom had been received. Evelyn covered her head. They then pushed her into the van to send it back, but I was left behind.
My parents confirmed that Evelyn was safe and were about to ask the robbers if I could be released as well. However, what they heard in the microphone was a deafening gunshot.
