NoahMy heart pounded in my chest as Ari and I hurriedly bundled the fire-making supplies. We used strips of cloth torn from old garments Ari had scavenged from the temple’s skeletons—chilling reminders of the fate that had befallen so many before us. Raymond’s scream echoed in my mind, sharp and pained. It wasn’t like him to cry out, which made it worse. What were they doing to him?Ari lit a torch from the small fire we had, then quickly snuffed it out. "We'll need this later," she whispered. I nodded, swallowing the growing lump of fear in my throat.We pushed the makeshift bundles of fire-starting material through the narrow gap in the wall, then crawled after them. My pregnant belly pressed uncomfortably against the cold stone, but I forced myself to keep moving. There was no time to waste."Let’s go," Ari said softly, her voice steady despite the tension in the air. She led the way, and I followed close behind. My heart was racing with each step.We moved swiftly through the maz
NoahI sat under the desk, every muscle in my body tense as I listened to Clara’s footsteps pacing back and forth. The soft shuffling of papers made me fear she would notice the missing envelope I’d stashed in my pocket. My breath hitched. Then, suddenly, a loud, shrill ringing echoed through the room. It startled me so much I nearly banged my head against the bottom of the desk.“Thomas, hi darling,” Clara cooed into the phone, her voice dripping with sugary sweetness. “Of course, everything is under control.”I strained to hear the voice on the other end of the line, but it was muffled, distant. Still, I could make out the aggressive tone—a man’s voice, barking orders at her.“N-no, he hasn’t signed them yet,” Clara stammered, her voice losing some of its confidence. There was a pause. The voice on the phone grew louder, angrier. “Don’t worry, hun, we’ll get him there,” she said, giggling in a way that made my skin crawl. “The guys are working on it. They’ve almost got him begging.
RaymondThe smoke thickened around me as I crawled toward the exit, each breath a struggle. My lungs burned, and I coughed violently when I finally reached the outside. Fresh air hit me like a wave, but it didn’t bring much relief. My back felt like it had been torn apart, my wrists raw from the ropes. But I couldn’t focus on the pain. I had to push through it.I looked up, catching a glimpse of Clara speeding away in the distance. "No!" I cursed under my breath. She was the key to finding Neil. We couldn’t let her slip away. My heart pounded, my mind racing. "We’ve got to follow her—maybe she’ll lead us to Neil," I said with desperation in my voice.But when I turned, expecting to see Noah right behind me, there was only the eerie silence of the temple entrance. "Noah?" I called, panic starting to take root. "Noah?!" My voice echoed off the stone walls, swallowed by the thick cloud of smoke that now billowed from the entrance."Shit!" I cursed again, fear clawing at my insides. I
NoahI stared in horror at the photo in my hands. Neil’s face was pale, his skin bruised and smeared with dirt. His eyes were half-closed, as if he were barely conscious. Blood was caked along his cheek, and he looked utterly broken. My heart seized in my chest, and a choked sob escaped my throat. “No,” I whispered, my voice thin and cracked. "No... how could they do this?"I turned the picture over. My hands were shaking so hard I could barely make out the words scrawled across the back: "Let’s play hide and seek, Mommy & Daddy. Don’t wait too much longer!"A sick wave of fury crashed over me. Thomas had sent this—he was playing with us, taunting us with the suffering of our son. I crumpled the picture, my nails digging into my palms as tears blurred my vision."That bastard!" Raymond’s voice erupted, loud and furious. He grabbed the envelope from me, his eyes flashing as he examined the taunting message. "He’s playing games with our son’s life. He thinks this is funny."A sob finall
Noah“Noah? Are you okay in there?” Raymond’s voice was tense as it echoed through the bathroom door. I gripped the edge of the sink. The shock and confusion were swirling inside me, nearly as dizzying as the nausea.“Not really,” I managed, but my voice came out thin and unsteady. The words were barely above a whisper. I was bleeding. Fear tightened around me like a vice. Could I be losing this baby too? The thought clawed through me—our son’s life was already in danger, and now this…“Can I come in?” Raymond asked softly but urgently, his concern evident.I took a deep breath. “Okay…”The door opened, and Raymond stepped in. He immediately noticed my wide-eyed panic and followed my gaze down to the growing stain on my dress. His face paled.“You’re bleeding.” There was no hesitation in his response. He scooped me up gently, his arms firm but protective. “We need to get to the hospital! Now!” His shout ricocheted down the hallway. I saw the mayor rushing toward us, alarmed as he too
Noah“Sí,” the mayor replied earnestly, placing a hand over his heart. “Your bravery in saving her is worth more to us than anything we could ever give you. We owe you this, and so much more.”I could see the deep gratitude in his eyes, and something in my heart stirred. We’d done it because it was the right thing, not for any reward. I started to shake my head. “That’s not necessary…”“We can’t accept that. It’s too much,” Raymond added, his voice firm yet kind.“But…” I hesitated, glancing at Raymond for support. “What would help us a lot would be if you could exchange these for cash.” I reached into my pocket and pulled out the golden coins, necklaces, and rings—ancient Mayan artifacts that glinted in the soft light.The mayor’s eyes widened, almost as if he were seeing a miracle. “Where did you get these?”“In the temple,” I replied, a smile tugging at my lips. “Ari found an ancient chamber filled with incredible engravings and treasures. She’s a clever and resilient girl.”“She su
NoahRaymond turned to me, his face etched with calm determination. “I’ll be okay, Noah. You need to rest.”I bit my lip, feeling the weight of his words. He was right, of course. I couldn’t afford to lose more blood or stress myself further. For the baby’s sake, I had to stay here. Still, I didn’t like the idea of Raymond meeting a masked stranger alone. Especially when we were isolated—Ari was resting upstairs, and the mayor and his wife had gone out. We were alone in the house.“Okay…” I said, reluctantly nodding. “Please be careful.”“I will,” he replied firmly, his eyes steady. He gave me that reassuring look that he somehow always managed. Even when things were falling apart around us.I sank back into the bed, clutching the sheets to steady myself. My pulse beat hard in my ears as I watched out the window, following the stranger’s movements as they paced in front of the door. Why would anyone come dressed like that, hiding their face? Was this someone Thomas had sent, or even
NoahThomas’s voice dripped like poison through the phone. A familiar chill creeped down my spine as he spoke. “Noah, there you are. I almost thought you’d lost interest in saving your son.”The disgust in me flared. But I forced my voice to remain steady. “Certainly not,” I replied evenly, hoping to mask the fury I felt. “What do you want, Thomas?”He chuckled, a sound that slithered through the receiver. “Oh, it’s not about what I want, Noah. It’s about what you want. Tell me—why haven’t you followed your next clue yet? Or…” he paused, his voice taking on a mocking edge, “do you need a hint?”I glanced at Emilia, who was focused intently on her device, fingers poised to work her magic as she nodded, encouraging me to keep him talking.“We got a little… sidetracked,” I said carefully. “But a hint would be helpful.” The longer I kept him on the line, the better chance Emilia would have to trace his location. My heart pounded with each second that ticked by, silently praying we’d get wh
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—