Chapter 3 - Who Stole My Child?

"RINGGG..." My alarm suddenly goes off.

Damn! It's this hour.

I hurry out of the door because I need to pick up my son Chris from kindergarten.

On the way, the gaze of that presidential candidate man comes to my mind again. I see his name - Antoninus.

I decide to look up information about this man later tonight.

When I get off the car, I immediately spot Chris in the crowd. Not only because he is adorable, but also because his aloof demeanor sets him apart from the other kids.

His personality is strikingly similar to that man from the other night – cold and composed. Now he stands there all by himself, hands in his pockets, looking disdainfully at the other kids joyfully running into the arms of their parents.

"Hi there. Moonpie. What are you looking at?" I ask, kissing his cheek.

Chris gestures towards the crowd,

"Why are they so excited?"

I glance over and say with a hint of envy, "They just miss their parents sooooo much!"

"Even if they miss them, do they have to shout and hug like that? What are they, monkeys? Don't their parents find it noisy?"

"Why would they? They're just happy to see each other again..."

Chris turns to look at the crowd again and, in a thoughtful tone, gazes up at me,

"Mom, if I were to hug you, would you be happy too?"

After a moment's thought, I nod solemnly, "I would be VERY HAPPY!"

"Alright then." He steps back and willingly opens his tiny arms, like an angel spreading his cute little wings.

Suppressing a smile, I ask, "What are you going to do?"

"Hug you," he replies without hesitation.

I tease, "Wow, can I get a kiss too?"

Chris doesn't even think about it, "No, forget about that."

"Oh, come on..." Before he can leave, I quickly bend down and hug him.

Alas, why are other kids so adorable and clingy,

yet, my son, at such a tender age, is so aloof?

Well, he's my son, after all. Even if he's not as lively and cute as other kids, I still love him dearly.

I bend down to tidy up Chris' pants, then take his little hand and head home together.

During the car ride, I attempt to talk to him about kindergarten, "Chris, do you have any girl you find she's cute in kindergarten?"

But his attention is completely captivated by the news of the presidential speech on the tablet.

"Chris! Do you like him? I mean Antoninus?" I ask.

"Mhm. I find him familiar," Chris replies without even looking up.

Familiar?! Even Chris feels that way. I can't help but recall what happened to my family five years ago...

My stepsister, Anna, received a call from a talent agency inviting her to participate in a variety show! She had been eliminated just three days before...

My stepmother, Catherine, had resigned from work because she detested her new colleague. Yet, the company manager personally visited her, telling her that the colleague had been fired, and she could return to work anytime.

Even my father, who had failed as a candidate in the elections, received an olive branch from his political party again!

To possess the power to influence politicians, besides the president, I can't think of anyone else who could do it!

As my anxiety grows deeper, I wonder if he wants to take Chris away from me. Should I resist? Will I have to move again?

Chris' introverted nature makes me worry that moving would further hinder his ability to interact with the outside world.

"Mom, have we run out of milk at home?" Chris raises his head and asks.

I recall there's indeed only a little milk left after breakfast this morning. I push aside my doubts and try not to let Chris notice anything unusual.

He's clever, even though he isn't interested in children's games.

"Do you want to come with me to do some grocery shopping?" I ask as I park the car in the supermarket parking lot, unbuckle my seat belt and look at Chris.

"Mom, I want to keep following the presidential election," Chris declines.

Coincidentally, I don't want him to notice my anxiety.

I quickly purchase the milk and some dinner ingredients at the supermarket. After a hurried checkout, as I put the groceries in the trunk, I'm surprised to find Chris missing in the backseat!

"Chris!" I shout his name loudly around the parking lot. I know Chris would never do anything to worry me. Someone must have taken him away. I frantically search inside the cramped car, then stumble out, calling Chris' name. But my calls receive no response.

Chris is missing!

"Just a few minutes ago, a group of men in black broke into the car and took him," a passerby comforts me, describing the scene at that time.

Holding onto his arm, tears well up in my eyes, "Did you see their faces clearly? Who were those people?"

"Sorry, I didn't see them clearly. But I managed to take a photo of them leaving and also informed the police."

He shows me the photo he took, and it shows five modified Hummers lines up in a row.

The license plates of the Hummers are completely obscured, and the crimson taillights stab at my chest with a heart-wrenching pain.

I ask him to send the photo to my email and express my heartfelt thanks once again.

Soon after, the police arrive at the scene.

However, after examining the photo, the officer's expression is a mix of surprise and bewilderment, "Miss, have you recently offended any gang members?"

I deny, "How is that possible? I just moved to this city..."

"Then, how about your family..." Just as he is about to ask further, the radio on his shoulder suddenly buzz.

He walks aside to talk to the person on the radio and looks back at me with even more astonishment in his eyes.

"Are you Miss Lily? Do you know anyone from the military?" he asks.

"I don't know anyone... from the military."

"What about government officials?"

"I don't know anyone either."

But he persists,

"How about your family or friends?"

I'm starting to lose my patience,

"What kind of questions are these? I just want to find my child!"

"Alright, calm down. Miss. Don't get agitated." The officer quickly tries to appease my emotions, jotting down my phone number and instructs, "Stay at home and wait patiently. If there's any news, I'll inform you right away, okay?"

Yet, I've waited for three long days, and the news I receive is not about Chris being found, but a call from the police asking me to drop the case.

I'm both anxious and angry, "Drop the case? Are you serious? My child is still missing, and now you want me to drop the case?"

The police officer on the phone sounds hesitant, "I'm sorry, Miss, but this case has exceeded our jurisdiction."

"Exceeded jurisdiction? What does that even mean?"

"We were told not to get involved in this matter from higher-ups."

From higher-ups?

Again, it is from higher-ups!

Just like when the abortion was canceled five years ago, the hospital also received orders from higher-ups!

Could it be the same as five years ago? Does he take Chris away? What should I do...

Feeling helpless, I hang up the phone.

Right after I end the call, my doorbell rings.

A secretary-looking person smiles politely, "Hello, is this Miss Lily's home?"

I cautiously hold onto the door, "Yes, I'm Lily. Who are you?"

"Eric. Of course, who I am doesn't matter. What matters is that my master wants to see you."

"Your master?"

After a moment of confusion, I immediately understand, "Did you guys take Chris away?"

"Yes, young master is indeed taken away by us. If you want to see him again, it's best to come with me right away."

"What young master? Who are you people? What is your purpose?!"

"Once you come with us, Miss Lily, you'll understand everything."

Eric still wears a courteous smile, appearing amiable and approachable.

However, his words are impenetrable, and I can't extract any information from him.

After some contemplation, I resolutely reply, "Alright! I'll come with you!"

I've waited for five years, and that "man in my dreams" has finally appeared!

If I miss this chance, I may never find him again. Moreover, for Chris, even if it means facing great danger, I must go!