Chapter 168

Christiana’s POV.

I paced the length of the hotel suite, clutching my phone so tightly I thought it might crack. My chest felt heavy, like something was pressing down on me, making it hard to breathe. My tears wouldn’t stop falling, dripping onto the phone as I dialed number after number. Every call seemed to end the same way…no answers, no leads, no hope.

“Please, God,” I whispered shakily, rubbing my forehead with my free hand. “Please, just let them be safe.

I dialed the police station again, my fingers trembling. The officer on the other end sounded tired, uninterested, like this was just another case in their endless pile of work.

“We’re doing all we can, ma’am,” he said, his tone too calm for my liking.

“That’s not good enough!” I snapped, my voice breaking. “You need to do more! My children are out there….God knows where….and you’re telling me to wait until morning to question Bianca? Are you serious?!”

“We understand your frustration, ma’am, but we can’t act without…”

I hung up before he could finish. I couldn’t take the calm, almost robotic way he spoke. My kids were missing, and I felt like I was the only one losing my mind over it.

My legs gave out, and I collapsed onto the edge of the bed, burying my face in my hands. My sobs were silent, but they wracked my entire body. It was too much. The thought of Ethan and Emma somewhere alone, scared, or worse… dead. I couldn’t even finish the thought without feeling like I was going to break apart completely.

The phone buzzed in my hand, and I nearly dropped it. Seeing Alex’s name on the screen brought a wave of relief, but it was quickly swallowed by the weight of everything else. I swiped to answer.

“Alex,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Christiana, have you heard anything?” His voice was strained, almost unrecognizable.

“No,” I choked out. “Nothing. The police… they’re useless. They’re saying they’ll bring Bianca in tomorrow. Tomorrow, Alex! Tomorrow might be too late!”

“I know,” he said, his voice quieter now, like he was trying to keep me calm. “I’ve called in every favor I can think of. People are looking for them, Christiana. We’ll find them.”

His words should have reassured me, but they didn’t. I could hear the worry in his voice, the same fear I was drowning in. “What if-” I couldn’t finish the sentence. My voice cracked, and the tears came harder.

“They’re going to be okay,” Alex interrupted firmly. “We’re going to find them, I swear to you.”

I shook my head, even though he couldn’t see me. “You don’t know that, Alex. You don’t. What if they’re hurt? What if they’re crying right now, calling for me, and I’m not there? I’m their mother! I should have been there! This is my fault!”

“Don’t do that,” he said, his voice hardening. “This isn’t your fault, Christiana. None of this is. Focus on the kids, not blaming yourself.”

I wiped my face with the back of my hand, sniffling. “I can’t even think straight, Alex. I haven’t eaten, I haven’t-”

“Stop,” he said quickly. “Don’t do that to yourself, You need to stay strong for them, okay? They need their mom to hold it together right now.”

I didn’t reply. My throat was too tight, my chest too heavy.

Chapter 168

“Christiana, I mean it. Promise me you’ll eat something. Even if it’s just water. You can’t fall apart.”

“I’ll try,” I mumbled, knowing full well I wouldn’t.

call you back,” he said after a pause. “Stay

| 04 € 70%_

staring blankly at the wall. The suite was too big, too quiet, too empty. I thought I’d feel safe here, but all it did was remind me how alone

trying to think of someone

my heart racing. I rushed to open it, only to find one of the hotel staff standing there

service, ma’am,” she said

didn’t order anything,” I said quickly,

and some tea. The gentleman you’re staying with requested it for

Alex.

smell of the food hit me, and my stomach churned. I hadn’t eaten all

the tray on the table and sat down, staring at it. The tea was steaming, the food arranged neatly on the plate, but it all looked

again, and I

to no one. “I

phone rang again, and I snatched it up, hoping for news. It

“Alex?”

his voice. “But I’m not

I whispered, my voice

find them, Christiana. Do you

I lied, wiping at the fresh tears on

staring at the untouched food in front of me. My hands

second felt like an hour, every silence like a scream. I couldn’t do

babies were out there somewhere, and I was

tray of untouched food. My stomach twisted as I grabbed it, hoping for news from Alex or the police.

My heart sank.

moment, then opened the

Dec 16

Chapter 168

ས ཌ

you want to see them again, come by yourself. Tell anyone, including their father, and

A cold wave of panic shot through me, my entire body trembling. I read the message again, hoping I’d misunderstood, but the words burned into my

so

do whatever you want. Just don’t hurt

response came

‘Answer the call.’

The private number. My chest tightened as I hit

voice

said. It sounded like an old man, but something about it felt off. It was too distorted, too unnatural. “We have some scores to settle, you and

just let my kids go,” I begged, tears streaming down my face. My voice cracked as I spoke, desperation spilling

and unforgiving. “You’ll come alone. No police, no father. Just you. If I

clutching the phone so tightly it hurt. “Please, don’t hurt

voice said, ignoring my pleas. “Take it all the way to the end. Stop at the first clearing you see Leave your car there, and you’ll be picked

“What if—”

voice growled.

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255