Chapter 67

Susan bit her lip until she tasted blood.

She had sold herself, yet failed to save Daniel.

The metallic tang rose in her throat, but she swallowed it down. Lifting her gaze, she met Ethan Sullivan's eyes.

"That night, I auctioned myself for a hundred million," she whispered. "I received ten million."

"Ethan, thank you for your affection." Her smile was uglier than tears. "But I don't deserve it."

With those final words, her strength drained away.

She stood motionless, like a prisoner awaiting judgment.

Ethan's lips pressed into a thin line.

Susan suddenly remembered being caught by her foster father as a child. He'd called her shameless and slapped her.

She feared Ethan would do the same.

"Ethan, do you think I'm shameless?" she blurted. "I think so too—"

Before she could finish, she was pulled into a warm embrace.

His arms tightened around her.

"Susan, you'll always be the best girl in my heart," he murmured in her ear.

Her tears broke free.

She covered her mouth, but the sobs escaped anyway.

"Daniel's gone..." She buried her face in his chest. "I earned ten million, but I still couldn't save him..."

The dam of emotions burst.

"I called you..." Her voice hitched. "I tried everything... In the end, I had to go to Elegant Art..."

Ethan held her tighter.

He didn't think her dirty—only brokenhearted.

And he hated Andrew Lucas more than ever, for humiliating her instead of saving his own son.

But most of all, he hated himself.

Why had he gone abroad?

Had he stayed, she wouldn't have suffered, and Daniel might still be alive.

"I'm sorry, Susan." He stroked her back. "I won't leave you again."

Her crying intensified.

He hadn't rejected her. He'd apologized.

"Susan, what was Daniel's last wish?" Ethan gently pulled back to look at her.

Too choked up to speak, she handed him Daniel's notebook, opened to the final page.

Ethan studied the childish handwriting, picturing a little boy writing by the window.

His eyes burned, but he forced a smile. "Susan, I know 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' too."

"Let's go sing it for Daniel now."

That night, Ethan sang until his voice turned hoarse.

From dusk till dawn, he stubbornly repeated the lullaby.

Though no stars shone, Susan saw the night sky glittering.

Silently, she made a vow: Ethan, in our next life, I'll love you whole and healthy.

The next morning, Susan decided to start with the kidnapper leader, Louis Lynch.

She bought a new SIM card and dialed his number.

"Mr. Lynch, Miss Capra asked me to contact you," she said in a hushed tone.

"Nicole?" Louis snarled. "Tell her not to burn bridges!"

"She sent me to deliver money."

"Tell her to wait! I'm coming for her!" He hung up.

Susan grabbed her phone and rushed out.

Today, she would get evidence.