Chapter 477
477
477
“Maybe he saw something. Tyler went after him too.”
Sebastian glanced toward the two figures who had taken off running.
“My guess? The person behind all this–the one pulling the strings–was hiding nearby in those woods, watching everything unfold.”
“They’d better catch that bastard,” Caitlin said through clenched teeth.
“They will,” Sebastian replied firmly as he carried Patricia into the car. They needed to get her to the hospital.
On the way,
Patricia clung tightly to Caitlin. Her little body was still trembling.
Caitlin’s heart shattered all over again. When she saw the bruises on her daughter’s arms and torso–marks left from the ropes–her tears wouldn’t stor
She gently wiped them away and asked softly,
“Patricia, can you tell Mommy what happened? How did you end up leaving the amusement park?”
“Imani said… she said she’d take me to see Ximena… I missed Ximena…“.
Patricia’s voice trembled, her lips quivering before she burst into tears.
Caitlin stroked her back and gently cradled her head. Her cheek pressed to her daughter’s forehead, and she finally understood–Patricia hadn’t been careless. She’d just missed someone she loved.
That love had been used against her.
“She wasn’t Imani… she was a bad lady… she hit me…”
Caitlin and Sebastian felt like they’d been stabbed. Their daughter was their world–they couldn’t even bear to scold her. And Megan had hit her?
Caitlin pushed back Patricia’s hair and saw the red welts blooming across her soft little face.
“Patricia…my baby…”
Her heart ached so deeply she couldn’t speak.
“If that woman hadn’t already fallen to her death, I swear I would’ve made her wish she had,” Sebastian said through gritted teeth.
Megan was gone now, her punishment dealt. But there was something Patricia needed to understand.
Caitlin said gently,
“Patricia, from now on, besides Mommy, Daddy, and the people we tell you to trust–you can’t go with anyone else, okay? Strangers might lie to you and take you away, and that’s very dangerous. Do you understand?”
Patricia, eyes still brimming with tears , nodded.
In the woods, James sprinted like a shadow through the trees. The man in black had seen that his plan had failed–and now someone was chasing him. He tossed the detonator aside and vanished deeper into the forest.
James zeroed in on the fleeing figure and pushed harder, wind roaring past his ears. His mind was laser–focused on one goal:
Catch him.
Tyler, not far behind, spotted the discarded detonator on the ground.
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477
It was real.
This hadn’t been a desperate act—it was a calculated, premeditated attack.
Without hesitating, Tyler charged into the trees, right behind James.
At the hospital, Simon was already waiting. When Caitlin and the others arrived, he had a pediatrician ready to examine Patricia.
After a full check–up, Simon came out to give them the results .
“She’s okay . No internal injuries, just some bruises from the ropes. But she’s had a serious fright–she’s going to need some psychological support.”
Both Caitlin and Sebastian finally exhaled in relief.
Simon’s expression darkened.
“The people who did this are monsters. Even children… they don’t spare children! They deserve to be torn limb from limb.”
Molly rushed in soon after. The moment she saw Patricia, her face fell with heartbreak.
“Patricia, my little sweetheart–are you okay? I was so worried! Can I hold you, baby?”
But Patricia flinched, clinging tighter to Caitlin’s neck. She wouldn’t let go. Not even for Molly.
Seeing her like that, Molly was devastated. Her eyes welled with tears, her anger toward the kidnappers burning even hotter.
She was almost glad to hear Megan had died. It felt like justice.
To comfort Patricia, Caitlin said gently,
“Let’s go see Ximena, sweetheart. Would you like that?”
Patricia didn’t resist.
They walked her down the hall to Zeke’s hospital room.
His wound had been re–dressed, and he lay resting on the bed, with Ximena sitting nearby watching over him.
When Caitlin walked in with Patricia in her arms, both Zeke and Ximena looked up.
“How’s Patricia doing?” Zeke asked, concerned.
Ximena stood to meet them.
“Did she finish her check–up? Is everything alright?”
“She’s okay. Just shaken.” Caitlin replied, then explained how Patricia had been tricked.
Ximena sighed deeply.
“ I can’t believe they used my name—and Imani’s love for the child–to manipulate her like that.”
She reached out.
“ My poor Patricia…”
Patricia hesitated only for a moment before letting Ximena hold her . She laid her head on her shoulder and let out a soft sigh .
There , there, sweetheart… it’s okay… you’re safe now … ”
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09:21 Mon , 18 Aug
477
Watching this tender moment, Caitlin felt a swirl of emotions.
Despite everything, she couldn’t deny the bond between her daughter and Ximena. Without those five years of care, this connection wouldn’t exist.
In a way, she owed Ximena. If Ximena had ever mistreated Patricia, they wouldn’t have gotten back a daughter so whole.
After spending some time there, Caitlin once again thanked Zeke from the bottom of her heart. Then she took Patricia back to The Vanderbilt Family
estate.
Béatrice, Eliza, and the rest of the family were waiting in the living room. Howard, Bruce, and Arthur were already running toward the driveway when they heard the car.
Caitlin stepped out, carrying Patricia. The three boys came running.
“Patricia! Patricia!”
“Mommy, is Patricia okay?” Arthur asked, looking up at her with worried eyes.
“She’s fine now. Let’s go inside, I’ll explain everything.”
In the living room, the whole family surrounded them.
Beatrice and Eliza were already wiping away tears.
“Patricia, my sweet girl… Don’t be afraid. Beatrice is right here.”
Eliza reached to take her but Patricia didn’t want to let go of her mother, resting quietly on Caitlin’s shoulder.
“She must be exhausted. Let’s get her cleaned up and let her rest,” Eliza suggested.
“Alright.”
Caitlin excused herself, took her daughter back to Vanderbilt Manor, and ran a warm bath for her.
As she gently bathed Patricia, she saw the rope burns on her daughter’s tender skin–and it felt like someone was clawing at her heart.
After the bath, Caitlin lay down with Patricia, keeping her close. To help her daughter recover emotionally, she used gentle hypnosis to guide her into peaceful rest.
When Sebastian walked into the room, Patricia was already sound asleep.
“She’s sleeping?”
“Mmhmm.” Caitlin’s voice was soft.
Sebastian moved quietly and lay down beside them, joining her.
“It’s my fault… I got our daughter caught in all this,” he said guiltily, brushing a kiss onto Patricia’s forehead.
Caitlin looked at him .
“Don’t say that. It’s not your fault. If anything–it all started because of me.”
Sebastian turned toward her, eyes serious.
“You know what I found out? ”
“What?”
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