Page 32 of Steal Me

A digital counter flickers to life on the wall opposite the desk.

10:00. 09:59. 09:58.

I guess that means I have less than ten minutes to save my butt.

C'est la vie.

Inside the drawer is a blank notepad, a pen, and—surprise, surprise—another letter. Whoever's behind our abduction, it seems they've attended the same school as my husband. Who knows? Maybe it's the same one Gru attended?

The first thing I pull out from the envelope is a typewritten message, requesting for a sketch of a vicinity map and layout of my husband's residence. The threat is implied.Don't draw, don't live.

It also has a postscript, of all things.

In case you feel indebted to Monsieur Le Dernier because of your marriage, we have included additional materials for your consideration.

How...business-like. It's almost like I'm being headhunted from one murderous gang to another.

I give the envelope a little shake, and everything else falls to the desk.

The first photo is black-and-white. Grainy. Obviously taken from a distance, and by someone who could not afford to be seen by its subjects: a much younger Sylvain (maybe in his twenties?), seated on a windowside table, and opposite him is another man I've never seen. And yet...

Why is my heart aching all of a sudden?

I turn the photo over.Biancardi.The name means nothing to me. So why does it feel like it means everything?

The second item is a document I recognize without trouble. My foundling certificate from the orphanage whereMamanadopted me. I myself have a copy of it. But this one is different. This is the original copy, with a certified footnote that only contains one name.Biancardi.

And it all makes sense, pieces falling in place, when I reach for the last item with shaking fingers. A DNA analysis report, comparing two subjects.

Viktor Biancardi.

And me.

99.8% probability of half-sibling relationship through paternal line.

My gaze drifts back to the counter.

8:32remaining.

Je vois clair dans ton jeu, Monsieur le Kidnappeur. I can see right through you, Mr. Kidnapper.

They want me to think that the marriage I treasure...is nothing but a transaction between Sylvain and my alleged half-brother. They want me to question every second I've spent in my husband's arms. They want me...to betray him.

7:15remaining.

The temperature has begun to rise noticeably.

It would be...reasonable to think that the one behind all of this has something against my husband.Oui?

Or could this be something that had to do with Viktor Biancardi, and they are using me against him?

5:48remaining.

The heat intensifies. Sweat beads on my forehead, trickles between my shoulder blades.

4:23 remaining.

How can they even think there's a choice here? Did they really think I lived this longsansprinciples? Did they really think I would trust a stranger...over the imperfect man I am in love with?

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