Chapter 19 - The Desperate Escape
The distant wail of police sirens pierced the quiet evening, echoing across the private estate. Realizing the tide had turned completely against her, Camille scrambled up from the floor, her face contorted with rage and terror.
"All of you... all of you are going to rot in hell!" Camille screamed. Instead of running toward the main entrance—where the police sirens were rapidly approaching—she sprinted toward the sofa where little Maisie sat in innocent confusion.
"Maisie!" Ruth cried out, her voice filled with visceral horror.
Without a second thought, Ruth threw her body forward, diving across the floor and shielding Maisie just as Camille’s clawing fingers reached out to grab the toddler as a hostage. The heavy impact threw Ruth onto the hard floor, her spine smashing against the sharp edge of the tea table, but she curled her body tightly, making her back an absolute shield for the ten-month-old infant in her arms.
Camille grabbed her fallen handbag, abandoned her pursuit of the memory card, and fled frantically toward the rear service door leading down into the basement.
"Ruth! Are you alright?" Rafe ignored his searing pain, biting his lip as he forced his numb legs forward to reach Ruth’s side.
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Ruth panted heavily, beads of sweat pouring down her forehead from the agonizing pain in her back, but her arms remained locked around Maisie. The toddler was completely unharmed; she blinked her large, round eyes, looking up at Ruth and softly babbling, "Ma... Ma..."
That innocent sound echoed through the ruined room like a healing balm, bringing both Rafe and Ruth to tears.
