The men''s sleazyughter echoed through the air as Greta bolted, but her frail body couldn''t keep up, and the men quickly blocked her escape. Desperate, Greta dropped to her knees, pleading, "Please, don''t hurt me. Cameron really is my husband. If you let me go, I promise you''ll get a lot of money." The men hesitated, momentarily swayed by her words. "Alright, we''ll give you the benefit of the doubt this time."


    Later that night, Cameron walked into his home at ten, greeted by darkness and silence. He sank into the sofa, feeling a wave of loneliness wash over him. His mind drifted back to his childhood at the Dawson family mansion, filled with the warmth of family and bustling with diligent servants. Everywhere he looked back then, life thrived.


    As he grew up, he married Nellie, and they moved out to start their own household. The house wasrge but often felt empty. Yet, Nellie''s presence was aforting constant. While he worked, she''d quietly leave a te of fruit and a ss of water nearby. When he took breaks, she''d eagerly share hertest observations and amusing tales...


    Their home, thoughcking the grandeur of servants, buzzed with Nellie''s thoughtful energy. Unfortunately, Cameron hadn''t appreciated it at the time, unaware that one day all that warmth and life would slip away.


    His phone rang, the familiar ringtone breaking the silence. He nced at the caller ID, "Darling Wife." The words felt jarring. He declined the call and changed the contact name to "Greta."


    The phone rang again, persistent and unyielding. Cameron picked up, irritation evident in his voice. "Can''t you just let me have some peace?"


    Greta''s voice,ced with fear, came through. "Cameron, I''ve been kidnapped. Please,e save me."


    Cameron scoffed, "Really, Greta? Can''t youe up with something more believable?"


    "I''m not lying, Cameron. Please, you have to believe me," Greta''s voice trembled with panic.


    Cameron hesitated for a moment, almost convinced, but then remembered her act caught on surveince. Talking to her felt pointless, so he hung up.


    The chilly night wind seeped into Greta''s bones as she shivered uncontrobly. She stared at her phone, the busy tone mocking her, tears streaming down her face.


    "Cameron, don''t you believe me?" she whispered to herself. "Cameron, have you stopped loving me?"


    Curled up in a corner, she pushed


    herself against the wall. A fist suddenly struck her head, apanied by a harsh voice. "Didn''t you say your husband lovesnovelbin


    you? Didn''t you im he''d pay a


    He doesn''t care aboYou''re lying.


    fortune to ransom you?


    Greta, clutching her head, was terrified beyond words. "He just doesn''t believe I was kidnapped. Maybe if you call him, he''ll take it seriously."


    One of the men picked up her phone and dialed Cameron. After what felt like an eternity, Cameron answered. "I told you not to-"


    His words were cut off by the kidnapper. "Your Highness, your wife''s with us. If you don''t want her dead, you''d better cough up the ransom."


    Cameron, seething, retorted, "How much did she pay you to stage this act?"


    The kidnapper, puzzled, asked, "What?"


    Cameron mmed the phone down, furious.


    Greta sobbed, "Cameron, why won''t you believe me?"


    It took a moment for the kidnapper to piece things together. He kicked Greta hard, sneering, "Do you lie so often that your husband doesn''t believe a word you say anymore?"