Every Breath You Take by Miranda Rijks

Author:Miranda Rijks [Rijks, Miranda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Inkubator Books
Published: 2024-07-14T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

THE WIFE

The house feels so empty without Samuel or the kids. I’ve never been frightened to stay alone in our home before but right now I’d rather be anywhere else except here. I can’t help wondering if the kidnapper will try to break in during the night, this time smashing down the back door or forcing out one of the panes of glass in the sliding doors in the living room. I set the alarm before I went to bed, so if anyone tries to break in downstairs, the alarm will sound and the monitoring station will be notified. Even so, when the clock hits 1 a.m. I’m still wide awake.

Earlier, I rang Stephen’s mobile to wish the children good night, but he didn’t pick up. Then I sent him a message asking him to call me so I could speak to the kids. He did, eventually. It was nearly 10 p.m. and he apologised profusely, explaining that he’d helped them complete their homework, then they all watched a film, followed by quick baths and bed. It’s not his fault that he doesn’t know how much I need to talk to them before they go to sleep. He promised me that the kids were fine and shattered after a long but fulfilling day, both fast asleep in bed.

‘I’d really like to speak to them in the morning, before they go to school,’ I said.

‘Of course,’ he reassured me. ‘Concentrate upon yourself,’ he said. ‘The kids are in safe hands with me.’

After tossing and turning for a further hour, I succumb to taking another sleeping pill. So when my phone pings at 6.30 a.m., I awake with a start, annoyed I’ve overslept. I fumble for my phone and press the play button before remembering to record it on my other phone. That all too familiar voice speaks again.

‘File for divorce from Samuel and get engaged to someone else. Post evidence of this on Facebook and Instagram. I want to see a ring on your finger within three weeks.’

The voicemail is deleted. I laugh. I actually laugh out loud because that is the most ludicrous thing I’ve ever heard. For a moment I wonder if I’m being toyed with by a kid because surely only someone utterly naive would think I could get divorced and engaged within such a short time period. But then I think of the photo of Samuel and the fact that he is still missing, and my next thought is, three weeks. This nightmare is still going to be going on for at least another three weeks. I can’t bear it. What is the kidnapper trying to achieve? It’s as if they’re wanting to prove that Samuel doesn’t love me anymore, and they’re using me to tell the world that our relationship has ended and that I’m happily involved with someone else. But why? Why do they care and what is their end game? I’m being toyed with, like I’m a puppet in a game to which I don’t know the rules.

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