Elton had made up his mind, and not without a personal agenda.
By saving his own daughter and potentially safeguarding Balfourâs future, he was ensuring his girls wouldnât have to worry about their lives ahead.
Ever since his wife passed away, heâd been fretting over his ability to raise his two daughters properly.
Now that they had grown up fine, it was a shame that he might not be there to see them through the rest of their journey.
From the moment he learned about the powerful Howard family backing Balfour, Elton was resolute. If push came to shove, heâd sacrifice his life for his daughtersâ futures.
âDad, stop scaring me. Canât we just sneak out the back window together? Iâm scared without you.
Donât do this. Donât leave me. Mara and I still need you,â Victoria pleaded, sensing the tragic turn their situation was t taking.
She couldnât accept it. Why couldnât they all three escape together? Why did one have to be the sacrificial lamb?
âVictoriaâs a mess right now, I think she needs you by her side. That settles it, Iâll draw those thugs away,â Balfour said with conviction. But as soon as Victoria heard him, she looked at him, her face etched with worry. âWhy do one of you have to wake the beast? Theyâre all asleep. Canât we just quietly slip away?â
Things werenât as simple as Victoria imagined.
While scouting the rear window, Elton saw the vast cornfields that stretched to the horizon, making them easy targets.
Without someone upfront drawing the kidnappersâ attention, theyâd be caught in no time.
And the one who served as the distraction was sure to become the sacrificial lamb.
âNo, no, letâs not run. Weâll just wait for the police to rescue us. I wonât run!â
Victoria curled up, not wanting to face the reality, but Elton solemnly held her face, âLook at me, Victoria. Listen to your dad. Do you want all three of us to die here?â
Victoria shook her head without thinking.
âSo, listen to me and Balfour. Iâll distract the kidnappers, and you and Balfour run for it without looking back. We donât know when the police will find us. Waiting is signing our death warrant. Even if something happens to me, donât turn back. Because I love you, and I never want my girl to be hurt. I wish I could be there as you and Mara grow up, but parting is a lesson you must learn in life. Todayâs your lesson. This is the last thing I cant teach you.â
With a bitter smile, Victoriaâs tears flowed freely.
Who wouldnât want to watch their daughters grow up? But today was destined for sacrifice. Balfour and Victoria were so young; Elton couldnât bear to let them. pay price. So the choice had to be his. He then turned to Balfour.
the âBalfour, donât shoulder the weight of todayâs events. The blame lies with the kidnappers; youâre a victim too. But I have a request. When you get out, look after my daughter for life. Can you do that?
Donât get me wrong. Iâm asking if you could treat her as your own sister, okay?â
Elton was bargaining with the last of his leverage, trying to negotiate a secure life for his daughter.
âMr. Lewis, Balfour started to say but was cut off by Elton. Just listen. Iâm the adult here, no need for more words. Can you promise me this?â