NoahThe morning sun filtered through the blinds, casting pale streaks of light across the bedroom. I blinked awake, the weight of the previous day crashing down on me. Neil was still missing. I was meant to go to work today. We had to prepare for Mexico, but doubts gnawed at me. What if I was missing something crucial at work? What if Thomas had left more clues? And besides, I owed Grace an explanation. She was too good to be working for a man like Thomas.I got dressed quickly, my mind racing. Could this be a mistake? Could I really afford to waste time at work while Neil was out there somewhere, alone and scared? Still, something in my gut told me I needed to go. Maybe Thomas had left behind a clue in his office, or perhaps it was simply the need to tie up loose ends before heading to Mexico. Either way, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was the right move.When I arrived at the office, everything seemed… normal. It was unsettling. People moved about as if nothing had happen
NoahWithout thinking, I rushed into Grace’s office. My heart was hammering in my chest. She had just hung up the phone and looked up, startled. The confusion on her face only fueled my panic.“Noah?” she asked, her brow furrowing as she stood. “What’s wrong?”I struggled to catch my breath. “You can’t—” I gasped, my voice laced with desperation. “You can’t report this!”Grace blinked, clearly taken aback by my urgency. “But... why? I thought I was helping. Shouldn’t the police know if a child is missing?”“I know you’re trying to help, Grace,” I said, forcing myself to calm down despite the storm raging inside me. “But you don’t understand. Thomas—he’s watching us. He’s already threatened Neil. If we involve the authorities, we will make things worse. Much worse.”“Please,” I added, my voice trembling, “for Neil’s sake, don’t report this.”Grace’s expression softened, but uncertainty lingered in her eyes. “But, Noah... what if the police could actually help? What if—"“Please,” I inte
Noah“Neil!” I cried, running toward Raymond and grabbing his phone. My heart felt like it was being torn apart. My voice was cracking with raw emotion. “Neil, baby, it’s Mommy. Are you okay?” Tears spilled from my eyes, blurring my vision. I held onto the phone like a lifeline. I was hoping, praying for his response.For a brief moment, there was only the sound of muffled sobs. Then, a chilling laugh that sent a bolt of fear through me. My heart sank.“Hello, you two. I heard someone’s been naughty at the office,” came a voice so filled with contempt I barely recognized it. Thomas. His tone dripped with a mocking cruelty that made my blood turn cold. “Who did you tell, Noah? Your little secretary, Grace?”My throat tightened. “I-I...” I couldn’t get a word out. I was frightened.Raymond’s voice cut through, sharp and filled with fury. “You bastard! How dare you kidnap our son? Do you have any idea how much trouble I can get you into? I’ll ruin you!”Thomas’s laughter deepened, dark
NoahAs we packed in silence, the weight of what lay ahead pressed heavily on me. Each piece of clothing I placed in the suitcase felt like another burden—one soaked in the fear of what we might face. I tried to focus on the task, but my mind was plagued with terrible images. Neil, crying out for us, hurt, trapped somewhere unknown. Each scenario was worse than the last.“We’ll find him,” Raymond said softly, his voice breaking through my spiraling thoughts. I looked up to see him watching me from across the room, his eyes fierce with determination. “We will find him, Noah.”I nodded again, but my heart still ached with uncertainty. I had made so many mistakes already—what if Thomas’s cruelty was just beginning?As we loaded the bags into the car and prepared for the long drive ahead, the reality of what we were doing sank in. We were going into enemy territory, playing Thomas’s twisted game on his terms. Every mile would bring us closer to danger, closer to the man who had already s
NoahI stood there for a long time, frozen. My back was still turned to Raymond. My mind was racing as I tried to figure out what to say, how to explain the truth. I glanced down at my swollen belly, which was now painfully obvious in the tight top Raymond had given me. My loose blouse had hidden my curves, but now… Three months along, and there was no hiding it anymore.My gaze drifted toward the breathtaking view of the mountains, forests, and endless skies stretching out before us. It was so serene, as if nature itself was trying to offer me some relief to the storm brewing inside me. But there was no escaping what I had to do.After a few moments of silence, Raymond's voice broke through my thoughts, soft but concerned. “Everything okay, Noah?”I swallowed hard. “Yeah…” I wasn’t okay, but I couldn’t stand there forever.“Can I turn around again?” he asked after a few more seconds, his tone uncertain.“Okay,” I said quietly, taking a deep breath as I turned to face him.Raymond tur
NoahI stood before the statue. My eyes locked on the stone figure of a man surrounded by small children, their innocent faces turned up toward him in wonder. A chill crawled down my spine as I stared at their tiny, trusting expressions. My mind went to Neil. I couldn’t help but wonder—what if there were other children, just as innocent, trapped in Thomas's sick web? I had no idea what that monster was capable of. But I had no doubt that his cruelty had no bounds. My stomach churned, and I forced myself to look away.“Noah! Come here, quick!” Raymond’s urgent voice cut through the tense quiet.I spun around, hurrying to where he crouched on the other side of the statue. His fingers brushed away dirt and grime from the base, revealing a small inscription carved into the stone. It was so small and seemingly meaningless that I never would’ve noticed it if he hadn’t pointed it out.“This is it,” Raymond whispered, glancing up at me.I knelt beside him, squinting at the tiny etchings. “It
Noah"Raymond!" I cried, panic rising in my voice.The officer's grip on my arm tightened as he dragged me toward the building, his fingers digging into my skin. I pulled against his hold, my heart pounding wildly. I needed to get out of this, now.Raymond was out of the car in an instant, storming toward us like a thundercloud ready to break. His eyes blazed with a fury I hadn’t seen in a long time. "Let her go!" he roared, his voice echoing through the lot. The officer's confident smirk wavered, uncertainty flickering in his eyes as Raymond approached.“She’s my wife,” Raymond growled, stepping between us. He loomed over the officer, his fists clenched at his sides, ready to strike. “You will show her respect, or I swear, I’ll report this. Do you have any idea who you’re dealing with? I could ruin you.”For a moment, there was a stand-off. The officer's eyes darted between Raymond and me, calculating. My breath caught in my throat, fear and adrenaline coursing through my veins.Fina
NoahRaymond stirred awake, his eyes blinking rapidly as he realized the position we were in. His arm had draped around me during the night, and we were spooning in the bed. The second he noticed, he pulled away. His face flushed with embarrassment.“Sorry, Noah,” he muttered, sitting up quickly. “I… my body must’ve moved closer while I was sleeping. I didn’t mean to—”I crossed my arms, still feeling the lingering warmth of his body against mine. “Oh…”“I swear, nothing happened. You know I would never do that,” he said. His voice was steady, yet tinged with guilt.He was right. Despite everything, Raymond would never cross that line. “I know you wouldn’t,” I sighed, dropping my arms to my sides. “It’s just… after what happened yesterday, I’m still on edge.”Raymond nodded, his expression softening. “Of course. You have every right to be angry.”“I’m not angry,” I said, surprising even myself. It was true. His touch had startled me, but it hadn’t felt wrong. In fact, deep down, I had
NoahI opened the box, and there it was—a delicate golden necklace with a teardrop-shaped ruby nestled at the center. It caught the light with a soft, familiar glow.“Wait a minute… Is this…?”Raymond’s smile widened. “The necklace Owen gave you after you saved his life as a child? It sure is.”I shook my head in disbelief, my fingers brushing over the ruby’s multifaceted surface. This was the necklace that had started it all—the one that ended my relationship with Owen, fractured my friendship with Josie, and, in the end, brought Raymond and me together.“No way… Where did you find it?” I asked breathlessly.He took my hand. “I went to Josie’s apartment after she passed away and found it tucked away in a jewelry box. I remembered the story you told me about it. I just knew you should have it back.”Overwhelmed, I looked up at him, my eyes filling with gratitude. He held my gaze, and we shared a lingering, tender kiss. One that was filled with years of love and unspoken promises. As
NoahThe grand hall was resplendent, draped in soft whites, blush pinks, and touches of gold. Chandeliers sparkled overhead, and the orchestra played a melody that filled the air with romance and elegance. I took a deep breath, looking out over the sea of familiar faces, and then my eyes found Raymond’s.He stood at the end of the aisle, his gaze fixed on me, his smile both proud and tender. The love in his eyes was so deep, so steady, that my nerves began to melt away, replaced by a warmth that filled my entire being.With every step, my heart beat faster, the anticipation building with each note of the music. Raymond’s gaze never wavered, and as I drew closer, I could see the emotion glistening in his eyes.Finally, we reached him. My mother released my hand and turned to Raymond, her own eyes shimmering. She placed my hand in his, her voice choked with emotion. “Take good care of her,” she said softly, her words laced with love and a hint of the strength that had carried us both.Ra
NoahAs I looked at Evelyn, her gentle smile seemed to melt the tension in my shoulders. Her eyes, always so full of determination, held a glimmer of joy as she spoke.“Don’t worry, Noah. It’s good news.”A breath I hadn’t realized I was holding escaped me. “Good news?” My voice was barely a whisper.She nodded, a spark of excitement lighting up her face. “The doctor said… well, they said there’s a chance I’ll walk again. The prognosis is good if I keep exercising, eating healthy, and pushing myself.”My relief quickly turned into a grin as the magnitude of her words hit me. “Mom, that’s amazing!”She wheeled closer, her hand finding mine. Her touch was warm and filled with the quiet strength that I’d come to admire even more through her recovery. “I know, right?” She laughed, her voice tinged with the thrill of newfound hope. “I can’t wait for the day I can pick up Rosie all on my own, to hold her without limits.”We sat there, both smiling, both overwhelmed by the idea that she migh
NoahCassandra’s labor dragged on, stretching through two long days. I felt every minute of it from my room. My worry and helplessness coiled tighter with each update. The doctor had ordered me to stay in bed. Although it felt good to rest, I hated that I couldn’t be there for her. She’d been such a support to me during my own labor with Rosie. Her words had steadied me through every contraction and every wave of pain. Now, here I was, stuck in bed while she struggled on her own.Little Rosie was my solace. Every time I looked at her, I felt a soft warmth spread through me, all the worry and exhaustion melting away. She was a tiny, perfect miracle with her miniature fingers and rosy cheeks. I couldn't stop staring at her. Raymond was wonderful too. He moved back and forth between rooms to check on Cassandra and then back to me, sharing gentle updates that kept me grounded.On his fourth or fifth return, Raymond’s expression was strained. He sat by my bed, taking my hand gently. “She
NoahThe words fell like a stone in the room. My heart stuttered as I looked between her and Raymond, my grip tightening around his hand. “What… what kind of complication?”The midwife took a steadying breath. “It seems your baby may be in a posterior position—facing up, rather than down. This can make labor slower and a bit more challenging.”A wave of worry swept over me, and I felt my breaths quicken. Cassandra placed a steadying hand on my shoulder. “Hey, Noah, breathe. She didn’t say impossible—just more challenging.”The midwife nodded, her tone reassuring. “We’ll try some different positions, some movements that might help encourage her to turn. This happens often enough, and there are ways we can support the process.”I nodded, feeling the tension ease a fraction as I met Raymond’s eyes. He gave me a brave smile, squeezing my hand. “We’ve got this,” he murmured. “We’ll help her get into position, and soon, we’ll be meeting our little girl.”The midwife guided me through some po
NoahI stared, slightly panicked, down at the small puddle forming beneath me. Cassandra brought her hand to rest gently on my arm. “It will be fine, Noah. Looks like your little girl has her own schedule,” she said with a reassuring smile. Her voice was calm and warm. Her words broke through my anxiety. I managed a shaky laugh, nodding in agreement.An employee approached, casting an understanding look at the situation. “Don’t worry about a thing—we’ll clean it up,” she said, a gentle smile on her face. “Good luck!” She gave a supportive nod as we carefully made our way out of the store. Cassandra held my arm to steady me.Once we were outside, Cassandra reminded me, “You don’t need to rush to the hospital just yet. They usually want you to wait until active labor is in full swing.” Her calm certainty helped, but I still felt jittery. I immediately grabbed my phone, dialing Raymond’s number. He picked up after the first ring.“Raymond?” I began, my voice trembling slightly. “It’s ha
NoahThe room erupted in cheers and joyful shouts as pink confetti rained down around us. It took a second to sink in: we were having a girl. Barely containing my smile, I felt Raymond’s strong arms wrap around me from behind. He leaned his head close, his voice a low, gentle murmur. “A little girl, Noah… our little girl.”My heart swelled as I looked at Neil, who was watching the confetti with wide eyes. He had a look of pure wonder on his face. It was the brightest smile I’d seen on him since everything that happened, and I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. He was still healing. But moments like these, surrounded by love, felt like the very first steps toward a new beginning.Evelyn rolled over, her eyes filled with emotion as she held out her hands to us. Slowly but surely, she was regaining control over her muscles. I leaned down to her, and she wrapped her arms around both Neil and me. “Oh, a little girl,” she whispered, her voice thick with joy. “Our family just keeps grow
NoahThe house buzzed with excitement and laughter as we invited everyone inside. Each new arrival was greeted with hugs and cheers. Cassandra's friends—Harper, Lila, and Gia—were here, their faces lighting up when they spotted me. Our trip to Vegas and Cass’s wedding had bonded us. Seeing them again brought a sense of closeness, comfort and normality after recent events. Raymond’s colleagues filled the space with their lively energy, and Simon’s friends mingled easily with Raymond’s parents, whose faces were aglow with anticipation.Neil quickly spotted his friends from school, darting over to hug a small girl with a sweet smile. I couldn’t help but smile knowingly; he’d mentioned her more than once—his little primary school girlfriend. Seeing him run and laugh, his face bright with joy despite the shadows of recent events, filled me with a deep, almost overwhelming sense of gratitude. After everything he had endured, there was hope that he might find his way back to himself. Seei
Noah“Oh, Raymond…” I murmured, my heart brimming with emotion as he knelt before me, the words barely forming in my mouth, tangled up with a happiness that felt almost surreal.He waited patiently, still on one knee. His hazel eyes sparkled with flecks of gold in the bright sunlight. His hand was steady, holding out the ring as if it were a promise. A reminder of how far we’d come. I glanced at my old engagement ring. My fingers trembled as I noticed the way this new ring was designed to nestle perfectly against the first one. It was so unmistakably Raymond—thoughtful, detailed, crafted to fit me like a missing piece.“Yes,” I finally said, smiling through my tears. “Of course, I will marry you… again.”His face lit up with a joy I hadn’t seen in years. He slid the ring into place, its sleek band clicking softly as it nestled against my old ring. The two pieces formed a sparkling whole. As the diamonds caught the golden glow of sunset, it felt like the most perfect reflection of us—