Chapter 132

"Go on," Elio said as he set Cody down.

Cody wobbled over to Lucie, his face streaked with tears. "Mommy, I'm sorry. I won't do it again, I promise. Please forgive me." His words came out in shaky sobs.

Lucie's heart twisted at the sight.

Elio shot her a smug grin and launched into his own version of parenting wisdom. "You know what they say-spare the rod, spoil the child."

"If a kid won't listen, you give him a good spanking. Works every time."

"Elio, that's a bit much, don't you think?" Lucie stared at him, lost for words.

He just shrugged, looking completely unbothered. "Come on, that's nothing. When

I was little, my dad would hang me upside down from the rafters, strip me, and whip me with a belt."

Lucie's eyes widened. "Wait, what? Why would your dad do that?"

Elio's expression darkened for a second. "He's nuts. Seriously, he's not right in the head."

Lucie was still trying to process it. "But... isn't your dad supposed to be really successful? How could he be unstable?"

Elio gave her a crooked smile. "Oh, that's my professional diagnosis."

Lucie almost burst out laughing. "You're unbelievable."

"Alright, enough talk. We need to get off this mountain before we end up sleeping here."

It was pitch dark now. Lucie glanced at her watch; it was already eight.

She pulled out a flashlight and lit up the trail. “Let's go."

Cody whimpered, "I can't walk anymore, Mommy." He was still scared out of his mind and only three years old there was no way he could handle the rough mountain path.

"Elio, can you carry him?" Lucie asked.

Elio shrugged and smirked at Cody. "I'll carry you, but you have to call me Dad." "Are you for real?"

"Why not? Once you get a divorce and marry me, I'll be his new dad anyway." He bent down, his tone playful. "Come on, say it. Call me Dad. From now on, I'm your new dad."

Cody stared at him, unsure.

"Go ahead," Elio prompted.

Cody hesitated, then mumbled shyly, "New dad."

"That's my boy." Elio grinned and swung Cody onto his back. "Didn't you want a new mommy? Now you've got a new daddy too. Pretty cool, huh?"

Lucie felt a headache coming on. She wanted to scold Elio for talking nonsense, but she was too drained. Better to save her energy for getting down the mountain.

At the Heath family estate, Steven was rushing to pull together the ransom money when his phone started ringing.

He froze, then grabbed the phone. "Hello?"

A deep voice came through the line. "Mr. Heath? This is the New Amberton police."

"Your son Cody was kidnapped, correct?"

Steven's brain went blank and his hand shook. "No... no, he wasn't," he stammered.

The last thing he wanted was for the police to get involved. He figured it was safer to just pay and get his son back, no questions asked. If the cops showed up, the kidnappers

might panic and doe

reckless.

"Sir, your son has already been rescued. Please come to the Great Ashwood park entrance to pick him up."

"...What?" Steven couldn't believe what he was hearing. Was this some kind of joke?

The officer sounded serious. "We've arrested five kidnappers and are pursuing two more. Your son is safe.

"Please come as soon as possible."

Steven realized this was for real. "Okay, I'm on my way."

He hung up and immediately told the butler to prep the helicopter. He needed to get there fast. He also wanted to see for himself who had risked everything to save his son.

Miranda rushed over, wringing her hands. “Was that the kidnappers again?" "No, it was the police. They say Cody's been rescued. I have to go get him." "Is it true? What if it's a trap?"

"I'll find out when I get there," Steven said, already heading out the door.

Half an hour later, Steven's helicopter touched down at the entrance to Great Ashwood park. Police cars and an ambulance were parked in front Officers w were

loading the wounded la

「

into the ambulance while two others were taking statements from Lucie and Elio.

In just a few short hours, Elio and Cody had hit it off. Cody looked up at him, caught between awe and nervousness, desperate for approval. "New dad, you're amazing! You're my hero!"

Elio ruffled his hair. "That's my boy. When you get older, I'll teach you some real moves." He had a way of making anyone feel at ease, kid or grown-up.

"Wow, thanks, new dad! You're the best!"

Steven stood there in shock, trying to wrap his head around what he was seeing. His own son was calling another man Dad?