Police stepped forward to stop him . " Sir , this is critical evidence . Please don't touch it . " Gary released his grip , and I watched him stagger backward . He shielded sweetie within his embrace again , blocking the child's view . His hand stroked sweetie's back while his eyes remained locked on the plastic bag . Officers swiftly gathered around it . The black plastic bag was opened . After all these years , he finally met those eyes again . My wide , lifeless eyes screamed of agony and despair before death . I saw Gary freeze in place , as if his soul had left him . " Sir , did you know this woman ? We need to ask you some questions . " He didn't answer the police , his protective hold on sweetie unchanged . Tears streamed silently down his face as he stared into my eyes . " Jessica ... I never knew that was truly your last call ... " Bitterness choked me , my very spirit trembling . Police guided Gary to sit in the living room , sweetie still cradled against his chest . Ashley rushed in moments later . She settled gently beside Gary . I drifted silently nearby . Ashley's voice turned shrill , raw with grief and disbelief . 0.0 % " Gary ... where's Jessica ? Could it really be ... is Jessica dead ? " Her tears welled up instantly . As the words hung in the air , the little one began sobbing again , her cries making my own eyes redden . Gary immediately patted the child's back soothingly until she fell asleep , then frowned at Ashley . " Watch your words . Don't frighten her . " His voice remained soft , yet carried unmistakable warning . Gary briefed the officers on what he knew . " Jessica used to call often . Ashley answered several times . " Ashley nodded tearfully beside him , dabbing at her eyes . " Victor married Jessica out of love . Those first two years , they seemed devoted in public . " I couldn't help furrowing my brows at Ashley's display - her grief seemed performative . Gary looked utterly despondent , his voice gravelly with emotion . " But later Jessica kept reporting abuse ... yet these past three years , the calls stopped . I assumed ... " My voice broke with sorrow : " I couldn't reach out . They'd locked me in the basement . " An officer hurried over clutching printed documents . " New development - ' Ashley ' was the only frequent contact . " " The victim's phone holds desperate messages to ' Ashley ' from three years ago . " I watched Ashley turn deathly pale , frozen rigid on the sofa . The despair and struggles from before were clearly etched on the paper . Spread across the desk were photos I'd taken of my scars . After reading the information on the pages , Gary's eyes widened . 33.1 % Chapter 7 He stood abruptly , facing Ashley with fury in his voice : " Are you blind to her injuries ? " If she didn't make trouble , nothing would happen ? This is what you call caring for Jessica ? " Ashley avoided eye contact , lips pressed tight in silence . I stared at her , torn between shock and disappointment : " You've been provoking r along . " Gary's gaze hardened as his tone turned glacial . " Ashley , what else did you say to Jessica ? How much did you truly know about her situation ? " Ashley kept shaking her head , tears streaming down again . Watching her denial , I felt my heart turn to ice . " I sent you photos of my wounds . I showed you those blood - stained chains . " " You knew everything . You claimed you'd told Gary , that you'd confronted Victor . " Staring at Ashley in disbelief , a terrible suspicion dawned on me . 75.6 % It was when everything was almost over, that the billionaire told me that she found me looked familiar at first sight! Right after I got into a top college, my mom passed away because of severe illnes...