Chapter 13: The Kidnapping Attempt

Meredith disappeared without leaving a trace.

For three days, neither the police nor Jeremy's investigators could locate her.

Jeremy knew exactly what that meant.

"She's planning something," he told his security team.

"Increase protection around Madeline and Ethan immediately."

"Yes, Mr. Whitman."

At Crawford Design International, Madeline continued focusing on work.

She refused to let fear control her life again.

Still, she couldn't ignore the feeling that danger was getting closer.

That afternoon, Ethan finished school earlier than usual.

Madeline had an important board meeting, so her trusted nanny, Mrs. Collins, went to pick him up.

"Stay close to me," Mrs. Collins reminded him.

"Okay!" Ethan replied happily.

As they walked toward the parking lot, a black van slowly pulled beside them.

The side door suddenly slid open.

Two masked men jumped out.

"Grab the boy!"

Mrs. Collins screamed.

"Help! Someone help us!"

One of the men pushed her aside.

The other reached for Ethan.

"Mom!" Ethan cried.

Before the kidnapper could touch him, a black sports car screeched to a halt.

Jeremy jumped out before the vehicle had completely stopped.

"Get away from my son!"

He threw the first man to the ground with tremendous force.

The second kidnapper pulled out a knife.

"Stay back!"

Jeremy didn't hesitate.

He blocked the attack with his arm before knocking the weapon away.

The two men quickly realized they had failed.

"Run!"

They escaped into the van and disappeared before police could arrive.

Jeremy immediately turned toward Ethan.

"Are you hurt?"

The little boy was shaking with fear.

"M-Mister..."

"I'm scared."

Jeremy knelt in front of him.

"It's alright."

"You're safe now."

Without thinking, Ethan wrapped his arms tightly around Jeremy's neck.

"Don't let them take me..."

Jeremy hugged him protectively.

"I never will."

Minutes later, Madeline rushed to the school after receiving the emergency call.

"Ethan!"

She dropped to her knees and hugged him tightly.

"Mom..."

"I'm okay."

"Mister Jeremy saved me again."

Madeline looked toward Jeremy.

His sleeve was soaked with blood.

"You're injured."

Jeremy looked down at his arm.

"It's only a scratch."

"Only a scratch?"

"You need stitches."

"I'll be fine."

"No."

"You're coming to the hospital."

For the first time in years...

Jeremy didn't argue.

At the hospital, the doctor carefully stitched the wound.

"Fortunately, the knife didn't cut too deeply."

"You'll recover within a couple of weeks."

Madeline quietly stood beside the bed.

"Thank you," she said softly.

"You don't have to thank me."

"I do."

"You risked your life for Ethan."

"I'd risk it again."

"As many times as necessary."

Madeline looked into his eyes.

There was no hesitation.

No arrogance.

Only sincerity.

"Why?" she asked.

"Because he's my son."

"And because I love him."

"Even though I don't deserve to call myself his father yet."

Madeline remained silent.

Just then, the lead investigator entered the room.

"Mr. Whitman."

"We've identified the kidnappers."

"Who hired them?"

"One of them confessed during interrogation."

"He admitted they were working for Meredith Crawford."

Madeline slowly closed her eyes.

"I knew it..."

"She really wanted Ethan."

"Not Ethan," Jeremy corrected.

"She wanted to destroy us."

"She knew hurting Ethan would destroy both of us."

The investigator handed Jeremy another document.

"There's more."

"Meredith has already left Glendale."

"We've traced her to a private airport."

"She's trying to flee the country."

"Notify the police immediately."

"Already done, sir."

"Airport security has been alerted."

Several hours later, breaking news spread across every television station.

"Meredith Crawford Arrested at Glendale International Airport."

"Police Recover Evidence Linking Her to Multiple Crimes."

"Kidnapping Plot Prevented."

Watching the news from the hospital room, Madeline felt strangely calm.

Five years of fear...

Five years of pain...

Were finally coming to an end.

That evening, Ethan quietly walked into Jeremy's hospital room carrying a small drawing.

"Mister..."

"I made this for you."

Jeremy smiled.

"Can I see it?"

The drawing showed three people holding hands beneath a bright sun.

This time...

The words above them had changed.

"Mom... Me... and My Hero."

Jeremy's eyes filled with tears.

"Thank you, Ethan."

"Do heroes get hurt?"

"Sometimes."

"Does it hurt?"

"A little."

Ethan thought for a moment before kissing the bandage on Jeremy's arm.

"Mom says kisses make people feel better."

Jeremy laughed through his tears.

"She's right."

Standing quietly outside the room, Madeline watched everything.

For the first time since returning to Glendale...

The wall around her heart developed its first tiny crack.

Not because Jeremy asked for forgiveness...

But because he had finally become the man she had dreamed he would be.

A man willing to sacrifice everything...

For his family.