Phone 37

I felt relieved when I got home and found Sofia and Gillian safe. According to Troy, there were several of his people patrolling my house, and some of them were police officers. I felt much calmer.

Why was Derrick still there? He must think I still had amnesia.

“Derrick, get out at once!”

Derrick, who was engrossed with his phone, was startled when he saw me.

“What do you mean? This is my house. You can’t kick me out!” he said firmly.

“Oh, really? Where’s the proof that this is your house, Derrick? Where’s the certificate? Show it to me!” I snapped, folding my arms across my chest.

Derrick stammered.

“I already told you I’m still looking for the certificate. Stop playing games!” he barked.

“What if I find the certificate? What will you do?” I asked with a smirk.

He looked even more flustered and anxious.

“Don’t try to fool me! Remember, you’re sick and have amnesia. It’s better for you not to think too much!” he said, panicking.

“You fucking idiot! I regret ever marrying a loser like you ” I shouted angrily.

“How dare you! I’m your husband!” He yelled, pointing his finger at my face.

“Hahaha! Enough, Derrick. Stop pretending. I know everything,” I said, laughing at his confused face.

“Listen up. First, I’m not your wife anymore because we are officially divorced. You can’t deny it because I have the court papers. Second, I bought this house from the moneylender who lent money to Lorraine, and I have the original certificate. And third, I never had amnesia!”

Derrick was shocked by my words. His body trembled, and his face turned pale.

“You’re a fucking liar! You deceived me. Damn it!” He growled, clenching his fists.

“Get out right now!” I said firmly.

The man in front of me stayed silent, glaring at me. What was he thinking? Was he planning something? I had to be careful.

“Sarah, please. Don’t kick me out! I have no other place to go. I beg you. For the sake of our daughter, Gillian,” Derrick suddenly got down on his knees and begged.

“What? For Gillian’s sake? Where were you all this time, Derrick? Did you remember Gillian when you were sleeping with that cheap homewrecker?”

Derrick’s face turned red. He always got angry when I mentioned the homewrecker. Slowly, he stood up.

“You’re so fucking selfish!” He shouted, his eyes bulging at me.

“Get out of here! I’m sick of your face ” I screamed at him.

Suddenly, Derrick ran to the kitchen. I didn’t know what he was planning to do. I needed to be cautious. I quickly grabbed my phone to call Troy. But…

Suddenly, Derrick came out of the kitchen, wielding a knife.

“Oh my God…”

“You selfish woman, I’ll kill you!” Derrick kept shouting, running after me.

I panicked and screamed.

“Help! Help!”

I kept running away from him. He was like a madman, chasing me furiously with his eyes bulging. I was so scared and worried.

“Mommy!”

“Gillian!”

“Mommy it hurts… help! Daddy, don’t… it hurts!”

“Derrick! She’s your daughter! Don’t hurt her. I beg you.”

I sobbed and trembled seeing Gillian in Derrick’s grip. The knife was now right in front of Gillian’s face. Derrick caught her from behind when she tried to come to me.

What should I do? Gillian looked terrified. She kept screaming in pain as Derrick held her tightly from behind.

My body went weak. I collapsed to the floor and cried. I couldn’t bear seeing Gillian screaming like that. “Please, she’s your daughter too. Have mercy!” I screamed.

“Hand over the certificate if you want Gillian to be safe! Hurry up!” he shouted.

“You would sacrifice your own flesh and blood for money! You fucking monster!”

“Hurry up, don’t stall!!” He shouted again.

“Mommy!” Gillian cried.

“Gillian, hold on. Mommy will save you.” I tried to calm my daughter.

“Sofia, please watch over Gillian. I’ll go to the room to get the certificate,”

Sofia had been crying and trembling in the corner of the room. She nodded weakly. She seemed very scared too.

“Hurry up!” Derrick barked.

“O–okay,” I stammered.

I slowly walked into my room. I hoped the fool didn’t follow me. Fortunately, my phone was on the dressing table. I quickly sent a message to Troy. After that, I opened my safe, hidden behind the wardrobe. No one else knew about the safe.

2/3 After retrieving something, I locked the safe again.

When I came out, Derrick was still holding Gillian tightly. She looked exhausted. I prayed to God to protect her.

“Bring me the certificate quickly!” he ordered.

“No, let Gillian go first!” I replied firmly.

“Give me the certificate, or I’ll kill her!” he screamed.

Bang!

“Ah!

Argh!

I gasped at the sound of the gunshot. Suddenly, Derrick fell to the floor. His leg was bleeding.

“Gillian!” I quickly grabbed Gillian, who was freed from Derrick, and ran into the room. Sofia followed me. Once in the room, I hugged Gillian, who was now calmer in my arms.

Two police officers and several strong men suddenly entered. One of the police officers shot Derrick in the leg. Fortunately, Troy had read my message earlier.

After Gillian calmed down, I slowly came out of the room. Derrick had already been taken away by the two police officers.

“Sorry, Ms. Johnson. Are you and Gillian okay?” A rather stern–looking man asked politely.

“Wwe’re fine… Thank you,” I replied.

Sorry, ma’am, we arrived late.”

“It’s okay, sir. The important thing is we’re all safe. Please convey my thanks to Mr. Peterson.”

“Alright, ma’am. We’ll take our leave. Some of us will be watching around here. I hope you stay vigilant until Mr. Bradley is caught.”

I exhaled heavily. It turned out the problem was not over yet.

Alright, sir. Thank you.”

They left. I felt exhausted and still in shock from the recent tension.

Troy had really helped me a lot. I wondered if I should repay his kindness by opening my heart to him. I contemplated accepting the arranged marriage between us.

Where was Albert? I had misjudged him as well. I still could not believe that Bradley the one who had stabbed me in the back. He was of the people I trusted the most after all.