Chapter 8 " Why do you keep violence ? "" ] Monica raised her hand to strike back , but Matthew grabbed her wrist , his grip like tron . [ ] " Enough . " He threw her hand aside . The look he gave Sophie was dripping with disappointment . " Sophie , what's happened to you ? Why are you acting like this ? " " Let's go . We'll let her cool down . " ] Matthew dragged the still - crying Joseph and practically shoved Monica out the door . The moment the door clicked shut , Sophie's frayed nerves finally snapped . She slid down the wall to the floor , tears streaming down her face , the bitter taste from her cut lip stinging . Her phone chimed . The screen lit up - a notification that the funds from her stock transfer had arrived . [ ] Sophie wiped away her tears and gently patted her sobbing daughter , a look of grim determination in her eyes . [ ] Tomorrow , they would finally escape this hell . [ ] She made arrangements for the nanny overnight , erased every trace of her existence from the house , and at dawn , with her daughter in her arms , she slipped into the pre - booked cab . [ ] " To the airport , please . " " You got it , " the driver replied cheerily . ] Sophie dialed her contact . " Sorry to keep you waiting . We're on our way . " ] The voice on the other end was as warm as a spring thaw . " No rush . Be safe on the road . " Just as a wave of warmth spread through her chest , a sharp , cloying smell of ether hit her nose . She jerked her head up . In the rearview mirror , the driver's eyes were dark and venomous , fixed on the baby in her arms . [] Before darkness consumed her , Sophie used her last ounce of strength to pull Dawn tighter into her embrace . ] ] When she opened her eyes again , the car was parked outside an abandoned factory in the middle of nowhere . ] In a lot overgrown with weeds , Matthew stood with his back to her , on the phone . In his arms , he held Dawn . [ ] The tiny baby was swaddled in his suit jacket , her face scrunched up " She's here . Proceed as planned . " ] He hung up and turned . Seeing Sophile awake , his frown deepened . " You're awake ? Good . Saves me having to explain . " [ ] Sophie's wrists were raw and red from coarse rope burns . She struggled to sit up . " Matthew , what the hell are you doing ? Give me back my daughter ! " " Joseph's been kidnapped . " ]] Matthew's voice was devoid of any warmth . " The kidnappers demanded my flesh and blood . They made a mistake ... they thought Joseph was my only child . " [ ] " So you're going to trade Dawn for him ? " Sophie's voice rose to a shriek , blood pounding in her ears . " She's only a month old ! She has a congenital clotting disorder ! A single mosquito bite could be fatal ! Are you insane ?! " " It's the only way , " Matthew said , avoiding her gaze . " The kidnappers said they have to see the child before they'll release him . Joseph is six years old . He'll remember this . An experience like this could ruin his entire life . " ] " And what about Dawn ?! " ] Sophie lunged for the baby , but Matthew sidestepped her . [ ] " She's too young . She won't remember a thing . " His tone was unnervingly calm . ] Just then , Monica ran over , her hair a mess , her makeup streaked with tears . " Matthew ! The kidnappers called again ! They said if they don't see the baby soon ... they'll kill him ! " [ ] She saw Sophie on the ground and suddenly fell to her knees , banging her head on the dirt . " Ms. Harris , I'm begging you ! Just this once ! Let Dawn take his place ! We'll get Joseph back , and I'll be your slave for the rest of my life !" " Get off me ! " Sophie kicked her away , her eyes blazing : " You're the one who couldn't watch your own kid ! Why should my daughter pay for your mistake with her life ?! " ] " Sophie , please , I'm begging you . " Matthew suddenly crouched down , his voice softening . " Joseph is innocent . After we get him back , I swear I'll find a way to rescue our daughter . We ... we can go back to how things were , okay ? " Sophie looked at his hypocritical face and started to laugh , but the laughter turned into sobs . " Go back to how things were ? Trade my daughter's life for your bastard's , and then live happily ever after with you , her executioner ? " " Matthew , what do you take me for ? " ] From inside the warehouse , Joseph's terrified cry echoed : "Daddy ! I'm scared " ] Matthew's face hardened . He clutched Dawn tighter and started walking toward the warehouse . Sophie scrambled forward like a wild animal , her bound hands grabbing his leg . " Matthew ! You dare touch her ! If someone has to go , you go ! You're his father , you trade yourself for him ! " " Stop this nonsensel " Matthew kicked her away impatiently . " Joseph is a boy ! He's the sole heir to the Wilson family ! Nothing can happen to him ! " " And Dawn isn't your daughter ?! " ] Sophie's fingernails dug into his trousers , her voice raw . " She's your flesh and blood too ! How can y Matthew paused , glancing back at her red - rimmed eyes . His Adam's apple bobbed . " I'm sorry . " But in the next instant , a needle pierced her neck . " It's just a mild sedative . When you wake up , I promise ... our daughter will be completely unharmed . " With that , he turned and walked , step by step , towards the warehouse . be so cruel ?! " ] Sophie watched him walk away with her daughter in his arms , wanting to stop him but unable to even lift a finger . ] The drug took hold , her vision blurring to black In a daze , she s saw Matthew's figure disappear into the shadows of the warehouse , and from his arms , she heard her daughter let out a faint , terrified cry ... ] C