Chapter 327: The kidnapping
"No, you can’t do that," Erica cried out frantically, clasping her hands as if she was afraid her mother would vanish if she released her hands. "That’s exactly what Dylan wants. He is pushing you into a corner, trying to force you to surrender. We can’t let him win. We have to outsmart him. We’ll find another way—we’ll defeat him."
However, Lydia was exhausted. The years of struggles and lies had worn her down to the bone. She shook her head, the fight slowly draining from her eyes.
"He is too powerful. We can’t win against him. What I’m proposing... it’s the only way. If I turn myself in, the police will leave Mr. Blair alone. They’ll leave you alone."
Lydia cupped her daughter’s face, brushing her thumb along her cheek, wiping away the tears.
"Listen to me. Leave the country with Mr. Blair. Go far away. Start fresh. Find happiness. Forget everything that happened here—the pain, the mistakes. Live the life I couldn’t give you."
"No," Erica sobbed, shaking her head in silent protest, but Lydia only smiled faintly, the resignation in her eyes unmistakable.
"I want you to live for yourself, away from this mess."
"I’m not going anywhere without you, Mom. I’ll fight till the end if I have to. There is no way I’m giving up. I’ll make Dylan release Mr. Blair."
"Erica..."
"No, Mom," Ercia snapped, eyes flashing with defiance. "Even if I run away, I’ll never find peace. Dylan won’t let me go. He’ll hunt me down, no matter where I hide. The only way out is to finish what we started. Only then can we truly be free."
Her words hit Lydia like a wave, forcing her to pause and reconsider.