We lie silently, wrapped in each other’s embrace after the kiss. Like every night, even though I don’t want to, I overthink about that bastard who tried to rape me during my childhood. I’m worried. It’s been ten months since he escaped from prison, and we still have no clue where he is. I don’t know what he’s planning to do. Perhaps something sinister. “Love,” Steve’s voice brings me back to reality. “Hmm...” I murmur, playing with the button on his shirt. “Are you thinking about the same thing?” he asks in a soft tone, his hand stroking my hair. I lift my head from his chest to meet his gaze. “I just can’t stop myself, Steve. It’s been ten months, and he’s still out there. I don’t want to waste a single second thinking about him, but it’s hard.” He places his hand on my face and caresses my cheek. “I know, my love. It’s natural to feel anxious, but we’ll get through this together. For now, let’s try to focus on the present.” I plead, “Help me forget about everything, Stev
Fuck! Where is Giana? What happened to Olivia? Did…Did he kidnap her? No, no. This can’t happen. After shaking my head, with my trembling hand, I immediately call the bodyguard whom I asked to stay outside, and now regretting terribly for my decision. “I shouldn’t have asked the bodyguard to stay outside.” As I murmur, holding the phone to my ear, tears trickle down my cheeks. But he doesn’t answer the call, making me more anxious. Fuck! With each passing second, my fear is intensifying. Giana, where are you? Evan's cries become louder, and I scoop him up, holding him close as tears stream down my face. "It's going to be okay, Evan. Mama is here. We'll find your sister." "Gaina… My baby came back to Mama.” I call out to her while sobbing, hoping that she will come back to me, listening to my voice. After calling the police and ambulance, I call Steve, my hands trembling. “I think you’re missing so much. I’m coming…” he pauses as he hears my sob. “What happened, Love? Are
The detective comes to us and says, “You should go home now and rest. We’re searching for her.” Grace shakes her head. “No. I’m not leaving until I find my daughter.” "Mam, please try to understand. There is no use of you both staying here," the detective insists, his voice laced with empathy. "We have teams combing through every inch of this park, and we'll continue to do so until we find her. But right now, you both need rest. You need to stay strong for Giana." Grace's hands tremble as she clutches onto the hairpin, her knuckles turning white with the intensity of her grip. “But I can't just sit at home while my daughter is out there somewhere, alone and scared. What if she is hurt, or…" her voice chokes up with pain, shattering my heart. I compose myself and place my hand on her shoulder. “He's right, Love. We need to trust the authorities to do their job. We can't help Giana if we're exhausted and running on empty. Let's go home, get some rest, and be ready to continue the se
Grace’s P.O.V. A Week Later Tomorrow is the twins’ first birthday. We had planned a birthday trip to Steve’s private island with them, but now I can’t even cut the cake because Giana is still missing. We were so excited to celebrate their first birthday. When will God stop testing my strength to endure pain? It’s becoming unbearable. Olivia regained consciousness the next day after Giana was found missing. She recounted that someone wearing a black mask had made her unconscious before taking Giana. Every time I wonder who could kidnap my little princess, my breathing becomes heavy, thinking about that monster. Tomorrow should be a day filled with joy and celebration, but it feels heavy without Giana around. I can’t focus on anything other than the empty crib where Giana should be. Every corner of our home holds memories of her laughter and smiles, reminding us of what we’ve lost. I’m concerned for Evan as well. His once bright eyes are now dull with sadness, and he refuses to e
Steve’s P.O.V. One Week Later It’s been two weeks, and we still have no clue about Giana. Every day, it feels like a burden. I can’t stop myself from wondering about the worst possibilities. If someone had kidnapped her for money, he would have called her till now. But nobody called us. We’re clueless about where our daughter is. I miss everything about Giana: her innocent smile, her gorgeous blue eyes, and her sweet laugh. God! With each passing second, the pain is intensifying. Will we ever be able to see her again? Is she fine? How will she be living without us? These thoughts drive me and Grace insane. Sometimes it feels like good days will never come back. Grace stays strong for me, but I can see that she is living with guilt every day that she failed to protect our daughter. I seriously don’t know what would I have done if Grace wasn’t with me these days. Her words give me hope that we’ll surely get back our daughter to us. The loud ringing of Grace’s phone brings me ba
Steve’s P.O.V. After sitting in the car, I immediately dial the detective’s number. I demand, “Have you traced his number?” Just say fucking yes. The detective begins, “Yes, but…” I interrupt, my frustration boiling over. “But, what?” “He called from a telephone booth. We rushed over, but he had already left by the time we arrived.” He informs me, his tone grave. I slam my hand on the steering wheel in frustration and growl, “Fucking find him. Search all the nearby places. He has my daughter. If anything happens to her, I won’t let you off the hook, either.” After a few seconds of silence, he enquires, “But did the kidnapper demand anything or reveal his identity?” I tell Max, the detective, everything because if they have all the information, it’ll help him to locate that bastard. Max utters, “I have a plan.” “What?” I demand eagerly. “You just need to agree to meet his demand…” “What the fuck? No. I can’t.” I interject in a firm tone. The thought of Grace in danger send
Grace’s P.O.V. The next day, as I feed Evan, Steve sits on the bed, staring straight, tensed. In just an hour, I have to leave to confront the person who attempts to rape me in the past, and who now holds our daughter captive. It’s no surprise that he’s the one behind Giana’s disappearance. He’s not human; he’s a monster. Once I have my daughter back, I’ll burn him alive. I’m not afraid to face him, not anymore, because I’m no longer the frightened child he once preyed upon. I have become strong now. Today, I feel even stronger because I have to protect my daughter from that beast. Two weeks without Giana feels like an eternity. There hasn’t been a single moment when I haven’t missed my little princess. I long to see her again, to hold her in my arms and see her bright blue eyes sparkle with joy at her favourite toys and chocolates. “Sissy Sissy…” Evan says in his babyish tone as he stops drinking the milk. My eyes well up every time he calls for his sister. He misses Giana just
As I park my car outside the under-construction building, my heart thumps with fright, and my breath becomes heavy. I’m about to confront my childhood nightmare once again, and I pray I don’t falter. Breath in. Breath out. You’re strong, and you know that, Grace. You’re no longer the weak girl. Now you have the strength to face monsters like him. After encouraging myself, I step out of the car, taking a deep breath. The cold air sends shivers down my spine as I approach the building. With every step, my heart pounds in my chest. But I can’t let fear consume me. I’m not the scared child I once was. I have grown stronger, braver, and more resilient. Today, I’m not just fighting for myself; I’m fighting for my daughter, my family, for everything that matters to me. As I step inside, finally, I come face to face with the man who stole my daughter from me and has haunted my nightmares for years. He sits on the sofa, puffing on his cigarette. As his gaze falls on me, his lips curve in