Four Dads Spoiled Then Abandoned Me Chapter 04

Four Dads Spoiled Then Abandoned Me Chapter 04

They remembered three years ago. It had been Elara’s birthday, too.

A classmate had called her outside. Then she’d been attacked by thugs.

All four sets of eyes snapped to me.

I trembled.

I didn’t even open my mouth, but I knew what they thought.

“It wasn’t me,” I whispered.

“How could it not be?” Kael roared. He grabbed my collar, wild with rage. “No wonder you’ve been trying to kill yourself all day—distracting us! Where did you take her?”

“I didn’t!” I sobbed. “I swear I didn’t!”

He wasn’t listening.

“You won’t change,” he snarled. “You want to die? Fine. I’ll give you what you want.”

He raised his fist.

Silas caught his arm. “Not here. Too many witnesses.”

Kael lowered his hand, his gaze icy. “Take her home.”

The car ride was silent and heavy. They all called people, searching for Elara.

I shrank into the corner, shaking. I knew what was coming.

The car stopped. They dragged me out.

I recognized the house at once.Terror seized me, and I fell to my knees.

“I don’t know where she is! Please let me go!”

Elias seized my hair, his voice like ice. “You wanted to die? Let us give you that gift.”

I shook uncontrollably.

I wanted to die, but I was terrified of pain.

It didn’t matter. They wouldn’t show mercy.

They dragged me inside.

A dozen large men stood waiting.

Silas threw me to the floor, his face hard with disgust. “Teach her a lesson.”

Hands grabbed my arms and legs.

Something sharp pierced my skin.

Pain exploded over my body.

I screamed to them for help, over and over.

I called out “Dad” several times.

Just as the men prepared to go further, Elias called it off.

He stepped in front of me. “Tell us where Elara is, and we’ll let you go for your mom’s sake.”

“I don’t know!” I cried. “I didn’t do anything!”

Silas pulled Elias back. “You still believe her? She’ll never admit it unless you make her.”

A strange glint flashed across Elias’s eyes.

He waved his hand. “Do it.”

I knew I wouldn’t survive.

The pain grew worse, but I stopped screaming.

I saw Mom’s face in my mind.

Hit me.

I’ll be with Mom soon.

The four men still called frantically.

Finally, Kael’s phone rang.

“Elara! Where are you?”

Her voice chimed through the room. “I’m out eating with friends! Why have you called so many times?”

All four men froze.

“You weren’t kidnapped?”

She laughed. “Why would I be? I’m heading home.”

At the same time, the butler called. He said he’d picked Elara up.

They exhaled in relief.

“Thank God she’s safe,” Elias breathed. Then his eyes widened. “Lila!”

They’d forgotten me.

They shouted for the men to stop.

They rushed to my side.

“Lila, stop acting. She’s home,” Kael said.

“We were wrong this time.”

Kael knelt and touched me.

When I didn’t move, his face went ashen.

He pressed his fingers under my nose.

I wasn’t breathing.