While one group of officers was still talking with Jamison, another had already used the police database to track down Ivy’s contact information.

When Ivy answered the phone, it felt as though lightning had struck her out of a clear sky. She could hardly believe it–Emma had really lost all sense of humanity, kidnapping an innocent little girl!

“I’ll be there right away! Please, just keep her calm!” Ivy didn’t hesitate for a second. She hurried out of the library, told her bodyguard to drive her straight to Pinevale Regional Medical, and climbed into the car.

She’d barely settled in when Jamison called. But before her husband could say a word, Ivy jumped in. “The police already called. I’m on my way now.”

Jamison, torn between fear and helplessness, didn’t want his wife walking into danger. Emma had snapped–something terrible was bound to happen today. Yet he knew that no decent person could turn their back on a situation like this. And with Ivy so closely involved, there was no way she’d stand aside.

So the words to stop her died on his tongue. He paused, then simply said, “I’ll be there too.”

“Okay!”

Up on the hospital rooftop, an officer finished his call and tried again to calm Emma. “The person you want to see is on her way. Please, stay calm. Hold on to the child.”

“Don’t come any closer!” Emma’s voice was ragged with panic. “If you do, I’ll jump!”

Any longing or hope she’d felt for the child had long since evaporated beneath the relentless wailing in her arms. Now, frantic and unhinged, Emma suddenly began to strike the little girl seated at the edge of the roof, her actions utterly deranged.

“Let go of my daughter!” the girl’s father shouted, losing all reason as he tried to break free and charge forward.

Emma shrieked, “Stay back! Or I’ll jump right now!”

“Don’t go!” One of the officers, quick on his feet, restrained the father. “You have to keep calm! This woman has a record–don’t provoke her, or she really might jump with the kid!”

In just a few minutes, the police had already uncovered Emma’s sordid history–a string of priors, including attempted kidnapping and assault, and now, she was terminally ill. Someone this desperate, with nothing left to lose, was capable of anything.

The police tried to reassure the distraught father, and slowly, he gained back a shred of composure. Every second dragged by in agonizing silence. Finally, after twenty minutes and a police escort through green lights, Ivy arrived at the hospital. She jumped out of the car, rushed inside, and took the elevator straight to the rooftop. Jamison arrived only seconds behind her.

As Ivy reached the rooftop, Jamison caught up, breathless.

“Ivy!”

She turned, face drawn with worry, her voice shaking. “Honey…”

It was just a cry–a desperate attempt to release the terror churning inside her. Jamison reached for her, gripping her hand tightly as they hurried toward the edge of the roof together.

“They’re here!”

“She’s here!”

“Emma, listen! The person you wanted is here!”

Emma, pale and swaying, seemed barely conscious. But hearing those words, she suddenly came to life. One hand clamped tight around the little girl’s throat, her other hand holding fast to the girl’s dress. Even though it wasn’t hot, both of them were clearly dehydrated after baking under the noon sun for so long.

But the moment Emma saw Ivy, any trace of exhaustion was wiped away.

“Ivy! You finally showed up! I knew you would!” she screamed, her eyes blazing with hatred and fury, veins bulging at her neck.

Ivy and Jamison pushed through the crowd. The scene at the edge of the rooftop made Ivy’s heart seize. The little girl was hoarse from crying, too weak to sob anymore–her mouth opened in a rasp, tiny hands fluttering helplessly in the air. And Emma, merciless, was squeezing the girl’s neck so hard it cut off her breath, her face turning a terrifying shade of blue. Even though they were strangers, Ivy trembled with horror and pity at the sight.

“Emma, I’m here! Let the child go–she’s done nothing wrong. I’m the one you’re angry with.” Ivy took a step forward, her voice steady and clear.

“Stop!” Emma snapped, not about to let her get any closer. Even now, she was calculating. “Tell the officers to cuff your hands–then you can come over. I’ll let the kid go.”

Jamison immediately protested. “No. I’ll do it–cuff my hands and feet if you want, just let me take her place.”

Ivy turned to him. “No. She wants me–I’m the one she wants revenge on.”

“I can’t let you take that risk!” For the first time since their wedding, Jamison’s voice was sharp, his face hard with fear.

Ivy squeezed his hand, trying to reassure him. “Trust me. I’ll stall her. I’ll work with the police and the rescue team.”

Before Jamison could answer, Emma shouted again, “I want Ivy! No one else will do!”

Of course, if she could, Emma would have taken revenge on both of them. But she was at her limit, her strength nearly gone; the stitches at her abdomen had split open again, every moment a fresh wave of agony. She had nothing left to lose, and everyone on that rooftop knew it.

Chapter 658