The Kidnapping and the Homecoming

My husband's "perfect girl" and I got snatched at the same time. When the kidnappers gave him a Sophie's Choice, he picked her, no hesitation. Me? They chained me up in a warehouse like some stray dog, playing with me like I was some pet.

I was done. Over it. I didn’t love him anymore.

Then, of course, Mark shows up at my door, all puppy-dog eyes, begging me to forgive him...

1

The news of my rescue blew up the internet. Paparazzi were everywhere when the cops escorted me out of the car, their flashes exposing every inch of my trauma. I looked up at the bright, piercing sky, the light burning my retinas. It'd been two weeks since the kidnapping.

Two weeks ago, Sarah and I were grabbed. When the thugs forced Mark to choose, he didn't hesitate, chose Sarah.

For two weeks, I was stuck in that warehouse, chained up like a dog. And it was all because the Millers and the Chen’s dragged their feet, trying to low-ball a ransom, figuring the cops would just rescue me.

The online comments? Pure sympathy and understanding.

“The Chen’s and the Millers are heroes! If they hadn't stalled, Mia would be dead!”

“To get this treatment after being a stand-in bride? I’d be praying to the heavens!”

“It's thanks to their concern for Mia that the police were able to find her so fast!”

Mark’s car was surrounded by reporters. The cops got me in, and the combination of kneeling for so long and lack of food made my legs buckle the second the door opened. I stumbled, going down on the soft car carpet, a hand reached out, hesitated, and then pulled back.

"You okay?"

I looked up. Mark's brow was furrowed. He was sitting in his seat, all dressed up in a suit, looking down at me with this arrogant, cold look.

“You’ve lost a ton of weight,” he said, sounding surprised.

Like I’d been at some spa resort for the last couple of weeks, not held captive in a nightmare.

I struggled to sit up, my voice hoarse. “Thanks for your concern, Mark. I'm fine.”

"Mia, are you sure you're okay?”

“Mark, she said she’s fine. And she looks good. She’s gotta be exhausted, just wants to rest.”

The sweet voice startled me. I looked to my right.

Sarah, hair perfect, makeup flawless, was smiling, looking so concerned for me. If I hadn’t been kidnapped in the first place, I wouldn’t even have known she was back.

The last time I saw her, she was begging the thugs not to hurt her, yelling, "I'm useless, Mia is my dad's favorite! He even made me go overseas so she could marry Mark!"

I was the substitute, that’s for sure.

Sarah ran off with her boyfriend instead of marrying Mark, then I came into the picture, the secret child they called on to avoid a scandal with the Chen’s. They'd pay me for it.

I needed the money.

Later on, Sarah saw the light and came back, determined to be Mrs. Chen. I thought I was finally free from this hell, but it’s turned out to be more of a bad dream.

2

Sarah said I was fine, only because a female cop had given me some clean clothes and I was able to take a ...