Middle Child Syndrome - Chapter 38

Chapter 38: Ch 38: Your Priorities
The kidnapper warned the omega buyer. His words made the warning bells inside Mister Darling’s head ring, but he ignored them.

Despite the nagging uncertainty, Mister Darling convinced himself everything would be fine. He was confident that the situation would be to his liking, thus dismissing any need for concern.

“I appreciate the warning you gave me. Since you did me a favour, I will do one for you. Butler, make sure this man makes it out of our estate alive. I want to thank him for such an amazing gift.”

The omega’s smile, though seemingly gentle, held an eerie quality that sent shivers down Rika’s spine. Under different circumstances, it would have put people at ease, but it only deepened the sense of unease.

The kidnapper must have also felt the oddness of that situation because he declined the help.

“Nah, it is okay. I will make it out on my own. You should worry about yourself, Mister Darling. I need you to stay alive so I can reap the benefits of friendship.”

The kidnapper ran away just as quickly as he had arrived.

He left Rika in the company of this unknown omega and his too-sweet perfume.

“Tsk, that man is trying to trick me. Does he think I will fall for his trick and keep you alive for too long? No matter how beautiful you look, I will not risk dying to buy you. Now, let me see what your real identity is.”

Rika watched that omega reach out for the envelope and cut it open.

Golden eyes widened in shock as they looked at Rika up and down. Rika was sure this man did not want to believe what he was reading.

Shock turned to acceptance, then to anger, and finally to glee. When the older omega looked at Rika, he smiled maniacally.

“Ah, finally! Your identity was a lot more complicated than I initially thought. But that is fine! I understand your situation.”

“A member of the Goodwill family, huh? I finally get to take revenge against you and your family for what you did to my territory. But what should I do first? Killing you seemed too easy, and there is no point in any normal torture.”

“It does not seem likely that your family will be here anytime soon if they leave your information open like this. Hmm, then, shall we have some fun? I am sure that even a beta like you has something to offer me.”

The golden-haired omega smiled at Rika, and he looked dangerous in her eyes.

Despite being an omega, that man was taller than Rika (as most people were), and he felt even more significant when he loomed over her head.

“Come on, sweetie. Look at me now. We will have so much fun, so why are you looking away? I might even let my partner show you a good time if you are good. And who knows? You might come to enjoy our company.”

The omega asked from where he was strangling Rika’s waist.

It did not seem he was joking around with her, which scared Rika. She wanted to pull away and curl into a ball.

But that omega on top of her made it almost impossible for her to react.

The artificial sweet smell from the omega also caused Rika’s head to throb. It made her body feel weird, and she did not like it. She was hurting, and Rika just wanted to sleep and never wake up to this nightmare.

…

“That stupid son of mine is so fucked. Is he doing this on purpose? I thought he had a good relationship with his sisters. He takes care of Suzie so much! No, maybe Suzie does need Mark right now. He would have a good reason to blow Rika’s situation off.”

Emily looked at Mrs Goodwill from across the room with a narrowed glare.

She had a lot to say to the older woman, but it all paled compared to her worry about Sui and finding her.

So far, there have been few clues, and progress could be faster on her front. But she trusts Damian and his sources.

Her boyfriend might be moody, but he cared about Rika more than anyone else (except Emily) and would find her.

*ding*

[I found her whereabouts. I am sending you the location now]

The message about him came not even a minute after Emily had thought about him. She finally felt calm again, and now she planned to save Rika.

“Alpha Goodwill, Damian found Rika. We will go there physically to retrieve her. Can we ask you to take care of the fallout and aftermath?”

Emily asked the older alpha in front of her.

She only asked Rika’s mother for this because she was the only alpha leader nearby.

Emily wanted to give Rika that mental assurance, as it would assure her that at least someone in her family cared about her enough to help her out.

“Of course, I will help you out. Rika might not be the most open of my children, but she is family. I will always come to her aid if she is in trouble.”

The older alpha assured Emily, making her want to scoff at Miss Goodwill.

‘Yeah, sure! You will always come to Rika’s aid but never put her first. You are making excuses for Mark and Suzie, even when you know they are wrong.’

That was what Emily wanted to yell, but she smiled and swallowed her words.

It was not her place to worsen Rika’s relationship with her mother and family, but Emily was sure she could say all she wanted to the older woman.

“By the way, I never asked you this. But why do you and Damian care for Rika? There is nothing wrong with Rika, but I was sure you both would like Suzie much more than her.”

“After all, Suzie is an omega who is almost the same age as you and Damian. Was there no attraction there? Or is there something more to it? Would you like to meet Suzie after this? She wants to be your friend.”