Judith clung to Dylan's arm at that moment.
"Dylan, I just knew you're the best to me. Maybe starting tonight, I won't have any more nightmares. Big bro, thanks."
She leaned into Dylan's embrace, her lips curled in a smug smile that Maja could clearly see under the glow of the overhead lights.
But it didn't matter anymore. If Maja was going to die here tonight, she hoped to never lay eyes on those two again in her life.
The two bodyguards locked the cage, waiting for Dylan's command.
Dylan hesitated.
He often asked himself if what he was doing was right.
But he had to protect his family, and Judith was his family, while Maja would always be an outsider.
"Sir, should we set sail to the middle of the river and then push it over?" one of the bodyguards asked.
Dylan opened his mouth but couldn't issue the command.
Judith saw his hesitation and dramatically leaned back, feigning a faint.
This instantly steeled his resolve.
"Do it!"
"Roger that!"
The bodyguards pushed the cage onto a dinghy, planning to row out a few dozen yards before dumping the cage.
After all, the water was too shallow near the shore. If they were going to kill her, they wanted to ensure she'd be trapped at the river's bottom forever.
Watching the dinghy get further away, Dylan felt as if his heart was being lifted by a string, suspended ever higher.
Panic enveloped him like a shroud.
He vividly remembered what Augus had told him as a child.
"Your sister is frail. She suffered when she was born. You need to be gentle with her, understand?"
"Father, but what if she does something wrong?"
"If she's family, she can never do wrong."
"And what if Beck and I mess up?"
"You get punished. As older brothers, you should set the example."
This ironclad rule was etched deep into Dylan's bones, so over the years, he indulged Judith unconditionally.
He patted her on the head, trying to ignore the unease in his heart.
"Yeah, she got what she deserved. Let's head inside. It's chilly out here, and you're not well."
As Judith turned away, she nearly burst out laughing!
Forty minutes earlier, Herbert had been waiting for Maja's return. Frowning, he stood up, intent on descending the stairs to check on her himself.
But he found no one on the ground floor. It was eerily quiet.
Arlene followed him down, no longer pretending, her face a mask of cold indifference.
Herbert asked, "Mrs. Sanders, what's going on here?"
"Herbert, your protégée seems to have a little trouble with Dylan. I guess Dylan wanted to have a word with her in private. Let's call it a night, shall we? Once Dylan's sorted it out, she'll be sent back."
Herbert had been in North America long enough to have heard of Dylan's ways. Dylan, after all, was the boss of a huge corporation and had been raised with the finest education. He wouldn't mistreat a woman, but still, Herbert couldn't help but worry.
So he called Ian.
"Kid, Maja's been taken by Dylan, and I can't reach her."
That one sentence got Ian on his feet. He didn't even wait to hear what Beck had to say next, grabbing his coat and heading downstairs.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Dear Ex-wife Marry Me novel (Maja)
Author, would you story about Ryan settling down and another story on Eric regaining his body and memories back from Patrick, and Eric also settling down as I find it so disheartening for him to have gone through what he went through at the research institute, and I'll like for him to get his "golden boy" life back though, not at the detriment of Ian....
When will the author update to finish Beck's story? What about Dylan and Tyler's love lives? Also, I'll like the author to write on Wilma and Elvis ending up together as she was quite persistent in pursuing him. And Shawn's story, Cornelia Sullivan and Omar Casson. Also, a little write-up on Jeff (Ian's assistant) love life, too. Thanks, author for updating....
When will get update?...
What is wrong that the author has not updated this novel in over a month or is there somewhere else that I can continue reading the novel from chapter 1951 upwards? Do tell, please. Thanks....
Is everything alright with writer?...
Author, why are there no updates after almost 2 weeks? What's going on with the updates,Author? Do update soon....
Will any update make for us?...
Is author ok...
Playing too much with my emotions. It’s been 9 days and no updates. What is going on with Fitch and Zoey?...
Is author playing with our emotions?...