Home safe.

(ARIELLE'S POV)

I sat huddled on the couch in the dimly lit living room downstairs, my heart pounding in my chest, my hands trembling so violently I could barely hold them still. Thirty hours.

Thirty hours since the last time I saw my son, and I hadn't slept a minute. Not a single second of rest had come, no matter how heavy my eyelids felt or how desperately I tried to will myself into unconsciousness.

Ashley sat beside me, her presence a small comfort in the sea of anxiety. She had rushed down to be with me the moment I made a distressed call to her.

She kept trying to console me, but her words barely broke through the suffocating fog of dread that gripped my heart.

Together, we've sat, praying and waiting for feedback from Jared.

Every minute felt like a year, and each second without news from Jared gnawed at my soul.

"What if he's not able to save my son?" I asked, turning to face Ashley. No matter how hard I tried, I could not get rid of the feeling of dread and fear brewing inside of me.

"Don't talk like that," Ashley chided. "Maverick will be returned to you safely."

I nodded, but those words did nothing to make me feel better. They weren't what I needed; I needed my son back to me.

Unable to sit still for even longer, I pushed myself off the couch and started pacing again. The rhythm of my steps was frantic. I had already checked my phone a hundred times, but there was still nothing-no messages, missed calls, just the silence.

I grabbed again, staring at the blank screen as though willing it to light up, to give me the news I needed. I sighed, frustration rising like bile in my throat, and tossed it back onto the couch. Then I resumed my pacing, unable to stop, unable to sit still with the worry eating me from the inside out.

"You can't keep pacing like that, come sit. You need to rest" Ashley said, but I shook my head, unable to sit, to relax, to breathe.

Just then, just as I thought I might break, a knock sounded on the door, and my heart stopped.

I exchanged glances with Ashley. Without a word, I walked to the door and flung it open, and my heart skipped a beat.

on the porch,

into my arms, the flood of relief crashing over me like a wave. His small arms wrapped tightly around my neck as I held

exclaimed, tears streaming down

enough to look into his face, searching

my son,

him

her eyes darting

for a moment, blinking in confusion. I had been

I hesitated, still on edge, and glanced over my shoulder one last time. But the street was empty. My heart was heavy with more questions than answers. Once inside, we led Maverick

scared, Mama. But my Daddy came to rescue me," he said those last words,

though I knew he

school. He was there to rescue me, Mama. He called me his son. Mummy, why didn't you tell me

tongue-tied. It's definitely not a

turned to Ashley for help, and she

have a long nice bath, have dinner, and then we can talk

Ashley said, stretching out her hand to

released part of the breath I was holding when they left. I didn't see Maverick's question coming, and I

and sent Dwayne a quick message first, letting him know that Maverick was back safe, and thanking

then, my thoughts went

Maverick as he promised, and part of me went warm. The memories of how he was willing to

it. How's he now? How's

J&S. Jared had sold his shares so what would happen

was a

voice came through the line, and I felt the tight knot in my chest loosen just a fraction. "Jared," I whispered, unable

you for keeping to your word, thank you

there?" I asked, stunned

replied, his voice

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

Comments ()

0/255