He loaded the bullet and aimed it at the man’s head.


    Through gritted teeth, he asked slowly, “Are you certain the person in the tree hole at the top of the mountain is who I want to see?”


    The man was visibly terrified that his legs shook uncontrobly.


    He shook his head sincerely.


    For a brief moment, Nathan’s eyes darkened.


    Then, he listened as the man spoke.


    “My boss didn’t mention anything about a hostage.


    He treated that woman well.


    However, today, just before he left, he suddenly ordered me to tie the woman and take her to the tree hole at the mountain’s peak.


    After I descended the mountain, they were already gone.


    Mr.


    Payne, I’m merely a minion.


    I’m clueless about her identity or any other details.


    I swear I’m not lying to you…”


    Nathan realized from this that a woman was indeed tied up at the mountain top.


    But he couldn’t understand why Cory would leave a hostage there.


    Knowing there was a hostage, Nathan knew he needed to ascend the mountain to find the truth.


    Nathan didn’t press for more details.


    He prodded the man’s head with his gun and said, “Keep going.


    Lead the way.


    ”


    “Yes, sir.


    ”


    As they neared the mountain top, the well-trained soldiers dispersed to secure the area.


    They moved ahead to clear any potential dangers.


    The man led Nathan to an old tree.


    Lonnie approached and peeled back the bark covering a hole.


    Inside the hole, a womany with her eyes shut, appearing pained and frail.


    Her mouth was taped shut, and her limbs were bound tightly.


    Dust marred her face, but it was unmistakably Lucinda.


    “Lucinda!”


    Tears filled Nathan’s eyes.


    The overwhelming joy of finding his wife turned them instantly red.


    He gently lifted her from the tree hole andid her on the grass.


    Carefully, Nathan peeled the tape from her mouth.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    Her long eyshes fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes.


    Weakly, she leaned against Nathan’s shoulder and clutched at his sleeve.


    “Honey, I’ve been waiting for you for quite a long time…”


    Her voice was raspy,cking the usual charm of Lucinda’s tone.


    Tears threatened to stream down Nathan’s cheeks.


    His heart hurt so intensely that he found it hard to breathe.


    “I’m sorry.


    It’s all my fault.


    I made you suffer.


    ”


    Lucinda attempted a reassuring smile, wanting tofort Nathan, but exhaustion overtook her, and she fainted.


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    Tears brimmed in Nathan’s eyes as he sped Lucinda’s hand.


    A fierce desire rose within him to tear Cory apart immediately.


    But as he held her hand, he sensed something amiss.


    The ring that usually adorned her left ring finger was missing.


    Over the years, Nathan had given Lucinda numerous rings.


    She seldom wore the ruby diamond ring from their engagement because she found it toovish and showy.


    Instead, she favored the red jade ring he gifted her.


    She had worn it for several years.


    Since bing pregnant, hormonal changes had caused her to gain weight.


    Her hands swelled to the point where she could no longer remove the ring from her finger.


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