Chapter 5 - The Second Video
Thomas watched without blinking.
The footage was dark.
The camera angle was fixed high in a corner.
Claire sat on the floor.
Her hands were tied.
Evelyn stood in front of her.
“You should have stayed out of it.”
Claire's voice shook.
“I know what you're doing.”
Evelyn crouched.
“You don't know anything.”
“I know you aren't marrying Dad because you love him.”
Thomas's expression hardened.
Evelyn looked toward the camera.
For a second, she seemed to realize she was being recorded.
Then she smiled.
A cold smile.
“You're going to regret this.”
The video ended.
Thomas lowered the phone.
Toby looked up.
“Is Mommy okay?”
Thomas swallowed.
“We're going to find her.”
Evelyn suddenly started crying.
“You don't understand.”
Thomas looked at her.
“What don't I understand?”
“She found out.”
“Found out what?”
Evelyn shook her head.
“I never wanted this.”
Thomas walked toward her.
“What did my daughter find?”
Evelyn didn't answer.
Security returned.
“Sir, we've searched the upper floors.”
“And?”
“She's not there.”
Thomas's face hardened.
“Search outside.”
One officer hesitated.
“We found tire tracks behind the service entrance.”
Thomas's stomach dropped.
Evelyn closed her eyes.
Thomas turned toward her.
“You didn't leave her here.”
Evelyn whispered:
“I didn't have a choice.”
Thomas stepped closer.
“You always have a choice.”
She looked at him.
“No.”
Her voice broke.
“Not when they have my son.”
Thomas froze.
“Your son?”
Evelyn covered her mouth.
She had said too much.
Thomas stared at her.
“Who has your son?”
Evelyn's eyes filled with fear.
Thomas finally understood that Evelyn wasn't the only person involved.
She was being controlled.
But that didn't excuse what she had done.
“Tell me who.”
She shook her head.
“They'll kill him.”
Thomas looked at the USB.
Then at Evelyn.
May you like
“Then we're going to find him too.”
👉 Evelyn had just revealed that Claire's disappearance was connected to a second hostage—and whoever controlled her was far more dangerous than Thomas had imagined.
