Chapter Nineteen

Daniel's POV

I stared at the text, my heart pounding in my chest.

I got up quickly, throwing on a shirt and a pair of shorts before dialing Mike's number. I slipped out of the bedroom and quietly made my way to the main door, hoping not to wake Venessa. As the call connected, I couldn't keep the urgency out of my voice.

"What's the news, Mike?" I demanded.

Mike had been the only one still actively searching for Tasha, even after all this time. I'd instructed him to keep looking, but so far, every lead had turned up empty.

"Sir," he began hesitantly, "she left the country."

I froze, my mind racing. "What do you mean she left the country? You said you found her!" My voice rose, anger and frustration bubbling up. I was on the verge of losing it, ready to unleash my fury on him for giving me false hope.

But just then, the elevator chimed open, pulling my attention away.

I was caught off guard by the sight of a small figure stepping out of the elevator. My initial frustrat