After more than two days of relentless travel and hiding, Bella found herself in Dallas, Texas. The decision to choose Texas was a strategic one—geographically distant from her family and based on the availability of departing buses. The journey had left her feeling dirty, smelly, hungry, and emotionally drained. When the bus finally pulled into Dallas, the midday sun beat down on her, signalling a reprieve from the confines of her seat.Dragging her backpack behind her, Bella made her way to a nearby cheap diner. The sign flickered, and the scent of greasy food wafted through the air. The bell above the door jingled as she entered, drawing the attention of the few patrons scattered across the worn-out booths.Seated at a corner table, Bella ordered a simple meal—soup and a cheese sandwich. The waitress, a middle-aged woman with kind eyes, eyed her with a mixture of concern and empathy."Are you okay, honey?" the waitress asked.Bella, feeling the weight of exhaustion and hunger, nodd
In the grand Livingston residence, the air was thick with tension. The usually unyielding Mr. and Mrs. Livingston found themselves thrust into an unexpected crisis, their focus shifting from societal events to a far more personal matter – the disappearance of their daughter, Bella.Mr. Livingston, typically engrossed in his business dealings and social obligations, now roared into action. His first move was to call the banks and freeze any access Bella might have to financial means. In his mind, he believed that the allure of their affluent lifestyle, a life she had become accustomed to, would inevitably draw her back. After all, he thought, no one could survive without money, especially not his daughter.However, what Mr. Livingston failed to realize that Bella had never been the stereotypical rich girl. She was not driven by lavish spending or extravagant tastes. Her desires were simpler, grounded in the pursuit of genuine connections rather than material possessions.Simultaneously
"Bella Livingston," Boris began with a nod of acknowledgment, his tone measured. "Nineteen years old, daughter of Richard and Isabella Livingston. Only child. Introverted by nature. Spends the majority of her time with her friend Lily and Lily's boyfriend, a boy named Tony."Reid, though anxious, retained his composed demeanour. "I'm aware of the basics, Boris. Skip the generic details. Tell me what you found beneath the surface."Boris cleared his throat, the gravity of his findings making the atmosphere denser. "She recently started studying at a university in California. Good academic performance. Privately, she hasn't been involved in any official relationships. A few blind dates, mostly arranged by friends, and nothing noteworthy until recently. She refused any association or relationship."Reid, his patience waning, cut through Boris's words with a steely edge. "Enough with the surface-level observations. Tell me what's hidden. What have you discovered about her intimate life? H
Several days later, Bella walked into the familiar diner, its warm atmosphere and comforting smells promising a respite from the mounting stress. But today, the once-inviting ambiance felt distant, unable to thaw the chill of her worries.Seated at the same corner booth where she first found solace in this new city, she couldn't help but notice the weight of her laptop bag, carrying the weight of her expectations. Hopes of securing a stable living space, finding work, and building a future for herself and her unborn child rested heavily on her shoulders. Yet, the realities of her situation had hit her with unrelenting force.Her fingers scrolled through listings for studio apartments, her initial enthusiasm diminishing with each requirement—proof of income, credit checks, background screenings. It seemed every door slammed shut before she could even knock, leaving her feeling disheartened and adrift.The few homeowners willing to overlook these stringent criteria sparked more concern
The morning sun painted the Texas sky in hues of pink and gold as Bella, with her few belongings in tow, eagerly awaited Kate's arrival. The dusty road leading to the motel hinted at the adventures awaiting her.As Kate's pickup truck rolled into view, the unmistakable twang of country music wafted through the warm air. Bella couldn't help but smile as the familiar tunes set the perfect soundtrack for the day. Kate, behind the wheel, greeted Bella with her trademark smile, and the two exchanged friendly waves."Morning, Bella! Ready for a bit of country livin'?" Kate called out as she parked the truck.Bella nodded, her excitement mingled with a touch of nervousness. She loaded her belongings into the back of the pickup. As they hit the open road, the scenery transformed into a picturesque Texan landscape—rolling hills, vast expanses of greenery, and endless skies that seemed to stretch on forever.The journey was punctuated by snippets of conversation between Bella and Kate. Bella le
In New York, the Livingston household was enveloped in an atmosphere of turmoil and frenzy. The sudden disappearance of Bella had stirred a tempest within the usually composed and rigid family.Richard and Isabella Livingston were both stricken with disbelief and anger, but mostly it was rage. Their attempts to locate Bella had hit numerous dead ends, sending ripples of frustration through the household. Calls were made, investigators summoned, but there was no trace of their daughter.Isabella paced the living room, her eyes clouded with concern. "Richard, we need to find her. Who knows what she's gotten herself into? We can’t allow this pregnancy to progress or the bastard to become public knowledge."Richard, trying to maintain his composure, paced in tandem with his wife. "I've reached out to everyone I know, but there's no sign of her. She vanished into thin air. Even Reid is trying to locate her. How the hell had she the resources to vanish like this?"The house was filled with
Reid's sanctuary was the leather-clad couch in his living room, yet its comfort couldn't shelter him from the tempest of old memories that crashed through his mind like a relentless storm. As he reclined, the shadows of the past clawed their way back, haunting him with memories of what he once believed was happiness alongside Victoria.He recalled the euphoria of his initial success as an investor. It was a time when life seemed to pivot towards prosperity, a stark contrast to the hardships that had marked his earlier years. Money was finally a companion, not an elusive dream, and for someone who'd known deprivation, it felt nothing short of miraculous.In the mosaic of memories, Victoria's presence was bright, but the luster had faded with time, revealing the blemishes beneath the surface. Reid remembered the tense exchanges they shared over her father's ailing restaurant. She'd implored him to invest more, painting it as a family legacy that needed rescuing.Initially, Reid had been
Reid woke up the next morning feeling as though he'd traversed a tempest in his dreams. The memories, long buried and painstakingly avoided, had surged forth like a relentless tide, drowning him in the agony of the previous day. He cast a disconcerted glance at the abandoned glass of whisky on the nightstand, its contents a stark reminder of the previous night's unspoken turmoil. Rubbing his eyes, he staggered out of bed, his mind still lingering in the labyrinth of his haunting past.The ensuing days slipped by in a haze for Reid, his determination to dive headfirst into work a subconscious defense against the unsettling thoughts that threatened to consume him. With relentless dedication, he buried himself in projects, his focus a facade shielding him from the impending results of his medical tests. Fertility. The word echoed in his mind, a spectre of uncertainty he was unwilling to confront.Amidst the cacophony of ringing phones and buzzing emails, one persistent caller stood out—R