Thaddeus Dickerson's voice echoed down, followed by footsteps descending into the cellar. A flashlight beam cut through the darkness.
When I saw his face, tears spilled down my cheeks before I could stop them.
Thaddeus. He came to save me.
He strode toward me—but didn't tear the tape from my mouth.
Instead, he crouched down, studying me with an expression I couldn't read. "Regretting not marrying me all those years ago?"
Thaddeus was old money. He'd pursued me back when Leigh and I were dating. Marrying him would have meant a life of luxury, but I'd known we weren't a match. I'd turned him down clearly, without room for misunderstanding.
But he'd said something then: If you ever need help, no matter what, come to me.
That's why I'd sent him the distress message.
When I first saw him, relief had flooded through me. But his question made my stomach drop.
His tone was mocking. Like he was here to watch a show.
Maybe my rejection still stung after all these years. But he was here. If he would just save me, that's all that mattered.
I tried to speak, gesturing for him to remove the tape.
"Answer me first. Do you regret not marrying me?" He tilted his head. "Nod or shake. Simple enough."
Tears streamed down my face. He just watched, waiting.
The truth? Thaddeus had never been my type.
But this wasn't the time for pride. He could mock me, humiliate me, call me every name in the book later. Right now, I just needed to save my son.
I nodded.
"Funny how people only show their true faces when they need something." He leaned closer. "I'm here. But if you want me to save you, you'll have to give me something first."
His eyes traveled down my body, slow and deliberate. "You know, you're still as stunning as you were back then. Agree to spend one night with me, and I'll get you out of here. Right now."
What?
I stared at him, disbelief crashing through me. I hadn't rejected him because he was a bad person—I'd always thought he was decent. That's why I'd reached out to him.
And now he wanted to take advantage of my desperation.
Thaddeus leaned in, his presence suffocating. "Yes or no?"
I had no way out. If I couldn't escape this cellar, my son would lose a kidney.
I closed my eyes. Nodded.
A tear slid down my cheek.
Then Thaddeus pulled out his phone. On the screen—a video call. With Leigh.
"Hey, bro. Your wife failed the test. She agreed to sleep with me."
My world collapsed.
