Chapter 15

Hazel

Ever since our arrival, a gnawing unease has been tormenting me, and my stomach feels like it’s twisted into knots. My grip on my childrens hand is white–knuckled.

I murmur to myself, “Breathe, Hazel,” struggling to stay calm. The vulnerability of being out in the open with my children makes me nervous. All I can think about is reaching the house Noah found for us. My little bundles of joy are excited, but the crowded environment could easily lead to them getting lost.

As we collect our luggage, my heart sinks when I realize two of our bags are missing. With a heavy heart, I instruct my children, leaving them by the bags we’ve managed to locate in a corner of the airport, a waiting area.

“Stay right here. Don’t go anywhere, and look after each other.” I instructed.

Still consumed by unease, I can’t help but glance back repeatedly to where they’re sitting until they vanish from my sight, leaving a pit of dread in my stomach.

What feels like an eternity passes as we finally find the missing bags. Just then, a strange aura envelops the area, and I sense a shift in Liam’s mood a storm is brewing.

The last time this happened, it was when Daisy was badly hurt. Panic consumes me as I think of my children. “My babies!” I rush back to the waiting area, ignoring the airport staff. Hoping and praying they are still there, I frantically scan the area, losing my composure. The seats are empty, only the bags and some scattered sweets remain on the floor, as if they left in haste or were taken forcibly.

“Oh no, God, no,” I think to myself, imploring any higher power for help. I scan the area, my mind and head spinning. This is a nightmare. Liam’s mood deteriorates, and my children are in danger. I shouldn’t have left them for even a moment.

“Help! My kids are missing–twins, a boy and a girl, about this tall, with dark hair,” I desperately explain to a security guard I find.

“Alright, ma’am, we’ll find them. Don’t worry,” he assures me.

I leave the area but continue searching, combing through the floor. My phone rings, interrupting my frantic thoughts. I grab it, hoping someone has found them and called me. I made sure Liam and Daisy memorized my phone number.

“Noah! Noah, I lost them!” I yell into the phone, tears welling up.

“Calm down, Daisy. I’m also at the airport; I came to pick you guys up. Where exactly are you?” Noah asks, his voice steady.

I look around and reply, “Arrivals.”

In a matter of minutes, Noah finds me. “Calm down, we’ll find them. I can’t sense their presence. It’s like there’s some kind of block, or they’ve left the premises,” he says, his concern evident.

I understand what he means; this is why I’ve been so afraid. There’s an aura block, and I can’t sense or scent my kids.

“Let’s split up,” he suggests.

“But what if someone took them? What if I never see my kids again? This place is enormous; someone might have taken them,” I cry out, breaking into sobs. Those kids are

my entire world.

take care of his sister. There are cameras everywhere. We’ll find them. I’ll go talk to the security unit to check the cameras. What were they wearing?” I

fine. We’ll find them,” he assures me, squeezing my hand lightly before walking off

kids, a boy and a girl, about this tall, one in a sundress

girl and a boy. They look similar, right? Twins,” a middle–aged woman says, approaching me from

seen them?”

from the stairs,” she advises before

she indicated, which offers a better view of the area. My heart is pounding as I scan the place, desperate

in a rush. “I’ve found them; they’re on the ground

relief swiftly transformed into dread when I sensed the aura of the man standing before them. They were surrounded

steps at a time. My mind raced, desperately trying to communicate with Liam, “Liam, get away from those people,”

as soon as he saw me, he visibly relaxed. Just as I was about to reach them, I froze in my tracks. I recognized that back view, and

running toward me, snapping me out of my

be! The man turned to face me, and my heart sank. “Hazel?” he called out

as the realization hit me like a ton of bricks–this was Ethan. My first love, my ex–husband, and the father of my twins! The last person

asked once more still

danger, and a faint scent of blood lingered

do you know this man?” Liam

to me. Those eyes that I had been once deeply in love with and still harbored a strange attraction to had turned cold, the eyes of a predator, an

he ordered the group of men who appeared

214

the

calm the irrational pounding of my heart. “Yes, honey. I know him,” I replied to Liam with a

“They’re your

Ethan asked, launching himself toward us

had kids?” he

protective barrier. He looked at them

mate. Is there some unwritten rule that says I couldn’t move on with someone else?” I inquired, my head held high, and

they?” Ethan demanded, moving closer to get a better look at

replied,

“How old!” he bellowed.

I shot back,

me suspiciously. I had to dispel any doubts he had about

do you?” I asked with a scoff,

a pregnancy test before our rejection and divorce. Remember that?”

to one of realization; I was right. He looked almost disappointed, almost crushed. He

he turned back to me. “How have you been?” he asked in a hoarse voice. Before I could respond, a

called, rushing over. “Are the kids

Daisy cheered, running into his arms. Even Liam, who usually remained

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