Chapter 3 - Driven to the Edge
Elena's knees hit the hard floor as they dragged her backward.
Her child was pulled away, screaming and kicking frantically.
"Mommy! Mommy, don't let them take me!" the little girl wailed.
The massive oak doors of the ballroom slammed shut with a heavy thud.
The room fell into a suffocating, uncomfortable silence.
Elena lay on the floor, her breathing heavy and ragged.
Her white shirt was torn at the collar, stained with her own tears.
Every single wealthy guest in the room stared down at her with disgust.
Nobody offered a hand to help her stand up.
They treated her as if she were a crazy intruder.
Elena pushed herself up, her fingers trembling uncontrollably.
She looked around the grand room, feeling completely isolated and defeated.
Her phone in her pocket began to vibrate aggressively.
She pulled it out with shaking hands and looked at the screen.
It was an unknown number sending a single text message.
"If you want to save your daughter, do not go to the police."
Elena swallowed hard, her heart pounding against her ribs.
May you like
A second text message immediately arrived on her screen.
"Meet me in the basement parking lot in two minutes alone."
