Ariana felt her mind go numb. Her usually obedient Melon! How could he have just wandered off?

She glanced at Sonia, hoping this was some kind of prank.

“You’re joking, right? This isn’t something to joke about,” she stammered.

“I wish I were,” Sonia replied, her face a portrait of genuine anxiety.

A wave of dread washed over Ariana, seeing Sonia’s obvious distress.

Quick to act, Sarah said, “We need to check the security footage right away. Melon can’t be far.”

“You’re absolutely right,” Betsy chimed in.

“The front desk should be able to access all the building’s cameras. We’ll find him.”

“Then let’s move,” urged Sonia, grabbing Ariana’s arm to lead her toward the lobby. Sarah and Betsy followed, their strides filled with purpose.

Angela’s Library

Melon, they burst into the

to ask the reception staff about a young boy wandering alone. But then a crowd

as he turned his head, a familiar silhouette seized Ariana’s attention,

nose. She

after the crowd, but security guards

against their hold, straining to see as the man

gaze fixed on the departing car. After a moment to regain her composure,

more than a curt “no comment” before walking away. Many were captivated by him these days and hoped

face fraught

just happened?” she asked, taking Ariana’s trembling hands into

whispered, her voice shaky, “I saw him. I saw

rationally,” Sonia advised gently, her voice

much, it’s understandable that your mind might play tricks

teetered on the

it? She

familiar profile was etched into her memory. She couldn’t be

more

identical, unless they were twins. But Theodore never had

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