I'm sorry for dragging you out here tonight . Don't worry , I'll pay you three ... no , five times your overtime rate . " Seraphina clung to his arm , looking at me with a possessive glare , as if to say , you'll never be me . But when she heard about the five - fold overtime pay , she lost it again . " Elias ! That's our money ! I don't approve- " I wasn't listening . All I could hear was that Seraphina had calmed her down , and she was asleep . Pearl had always struggled with sleep . It was impossible for her to fall asleep in just a few minutes . I shoved past them and ran to Pearl's room , I gently shook her . " Pearl , wake up . Wake up . " The child was completely unresponsive . Seraphina followed me in , her voice dripping with scorn . " I know this is hard for you , Kristin . You thought you could use my daughter to manipulate my husband . But as you can see , a mother's bond is stronger ... " 1 shot up from the bed , grabbed her by the wrist , and roared , " What did you give her ? " 11:48 Chapter 1 Startled by my ferocity , she blurted out the truth . " I ... I just gave her a few sleeping pills ... " 3 My eyes turned bloodshot . " She's not even six years old ! You can't give her sleeping pills ! I thought you were just crazy , but you're a monster ! " Before Seraphina could reply , I scooped Pearl into my www . arms and ran for the car . " We need to get her to the hospital , now ! " Seraphina grabbed Elias's arm , her own eyes red with tears . " Darling , I just wanted her to get some sleep ... " This time , Elias didn't even look at her . He started the car and sped away . We got to the hospital just in time . They pumped her stomach , and she was out of danger , but she would need to be monitored for a few days . Looking at Pearl's pale , small face , the dark circles under Elias's eyes seemed to deepen . He formally apologized to me and begged me to stay at the hospital with Pearl . " Don't worry , " he promised . " I'll talk to Seraphina . The child is innocent . Please don't let our issues affect how you care for her . " He was a man of his word , and another million dollars appeared in my bank account . I was instantly re - energized . " Mr. Hayes , you can count on me . I will treat Pearl as if she were my own daughter . " The next few days at the hospital were surprisingly peaceful . Then Amelia called . " You're not going to believe this . Elias and Serap- hina made up . Apparently , he was going to divorce her , but she threatened to kill herself , so he backed down . " " What did she do that was so bad that even a lovesick fool like him was ready to leave ? " I told her about the sleeping pills . Amelia offered another round of colorful curses directed at Seraphina's entire family tree . " Just be careful , " she warned . " I heard the Hayes are throwing a big party for Pearl's sixth birthday . It's supposed to be Seraphina's official re - entry into society as Mrs. Hayes . And she's the one planning it . " I figured a simple therapist wouldn't be invited , so I didn't think much of it . But on the day of the party , Pearl wouldn't let go of my hand . After the hospital stay , she had become even more attached to me . " Kristin , please join us , " Elias said . Seraphina , her hand linked with his , gritted her teeth but , for once , didn't say anything . The party was in full swing , a sea of clinking glasses and polite conversation . I saw Amelia and went over with Pearl in my arms . " It looks like the divorce threat finally knocked some sense into Seraphina ... " I hadn't even finished my sentence when we were grabbed from behind . Three men dressed as waiters brandished fruit knives they'd hidden under a table . One arm locked around my neck , the other held a blade to my throat . The same for Amelia . I was still holding a child . Fortunately , Pearl didn't seem scared . She just looked around with wide , curious eyes . The sudden violence sent the other guests scattering in panic , Then , Seraphina's delicate voice cried out , " Darling , save me ! " She had been " kidnapped " too ? Elias moved against the tide of fleeing guests , his voice calm and steady . " What do you want ? Money ? A car ? A helicopter ? Just let them go , and I'll give you anything . " The lead kidnapper let out a theatrical cackle . " To think the great Elias Hayes would one day be begging me ! But I don't want any of those things . I just want the woman you love most to die . " Chapter 1 11.48 " You have to choose one of them to live . The other two die . " At his words , Amelia , Elias , and I all frowned . Only Seraphina continued to scream hysterically . " Elias , save me ! You promised you would always protect me ! " Amelia rolled her eyes . " Wait , if he's after the woman Elias loves most , why am I here ? " " Everyone knows you and Kristin are the substitutes , " the kidnapper sneered . " Let's see who our Mr. Hayes will choose . The original , or one of the copies ? This is going to be so exciting ! " Hearing the familiar " substitute " theory , we all instinctively looked at Seraphina . Who else would come up with something so insa- ne ? " Elias , " she whimpered , " you don't believe him , do you ? "