As Gerard and Xinthy gazed at the screen, their emotions oscillated between overwhelming relief and profound confusion. Itzy lay there, seemingly unharmed, asleep in an unknown location. The room remained eerily silent, with the only sound being the faint breathing of their daughter on the video call.
Tears streamed down Xinthy's face as she whispered, "Itzy... Itzy, my baby, you're safe." She reached out to the screen, as if trying to touch her daughter, her heart overflowing with love and longing.
The disguised voice on the other end of the call ended the video call and spoke again, maintaining a tone of mystery. "I have your daughter. If you want to see her again, you must follow our instructions carefully. Do not involve the police, or harm will come to her."
Gerard, his voice trembling, finally found the words to respond, "Please, we'll do whatever you say; just don't hurt our daughter."
