Bryan's POV Ben wasn't lying after all. I picked up the pen and tried to focus on the abstract. The pen fell from my trembling hand. I closed my eyes and sighed. I tried as much as I could not to spare her a glance. “What do you want?” I asked. Her breath still smells of rusted rose. I'm certain she was the one seated in front of me. “You miss me don't you?" “What do you want?” I asked again, ignoring her statement. She placed her hand on the table close enough to mine. She still has the floral ring I had for her that night before she disappeared. How dare she come back here? Her hands moved further and touched mine. I wonder if her touch was still the same. I didn't take my hands off, I just sat there without doing anything. I closed my eyes and tried to remember how her soft cozy palm always felt. I missed those years when she'd come around and place her hands on my chest. She'd kiss my cheeks and whisper to my ears, “Baby”. At the time, those were the words I wanted to hear. S
Danielle's POVI stood by the door, mesmerized by what I just saw. It's confusing enough to have Susan around but having Isabelle around at the same time made it worse.Millions of thoughts rushed through my mind. I wondered if I should step in or just step out. Bryan sat there with folded arms like nothing was going on in his front.I cleared my throat and both women looked at me. The look on Isabelle's face was terrible. She was trying to hold back what I would call “intended tears."“I was just about to call you,” Bryan said. I pointed my forefinger on my nose and tried to play innocent. “me?” I asked.He nodded while Isabelle still held her cheek. I dropped the flash drive on the table and tried to hurry away from his office but a female voice called my name."Can you…wait here for a second?" It was Susan. I took a deep breath. I do not want to be a part of whatever is going on in this office. I turned to her with a fake smile. “Hi ma'am, how can I help you?” Bryan covered his
Danielle's POVI didn't waste time pursuing Ella's dream for her. I didn't have the luxury of getting my heart desires when I was young and I do not want that to be the same fate my kids would have to face.Although Mila and Lila complained to me, I told them to wait and think about what they wanted to do with their young age.The next day was a big day for Ella. I dropped Mila and Lila in school then drove Ella down to Halsey Ballet School. I met a woman, Lucy. She explained the running of the school and told me how Ella would have to wait in school for a week and I could only see her on weekends.“Are you okay with this, Ella?” I asked her. Her eyes wandered around like she was thinking twice.“we can just go home if you don't wanna—”“ I'll stay. Just for a few days.”I bent and kissed her forehead. “Be good. I'll come see you from time to time.”I sorted the bills with the receptionist and left. While I was driving down to work, I kept wondering if Ella was going to do okay. She
Danielle's POVI wandered around the school premises making sure I was shouting at the top of my lungs. “You have to find my daughter for me in this instance! You want me to tear your school down?” I shouted at the security that was trying to hold me down.Do they think I was joking? Who the fuck did this and why the fuck is my daughter all over the news. I just brought her in today and now they are telling me she's gone.I went back to Lucy and rested on the chair. I summoned all the patience I had left in me. I can't bear it, who have I offended this time around?“You, you have to explain it all again. Tell me your alibi. I am listening…”The shaky woman closed her eyes and started talking. That's right, start talking.“the teacher was just going to show the new student around and she…she wandered off. We have been searching the whole school, she's not in here."I banged the table as hard as I could and winced in pain. “I'll just have to look for her myself,” I told her and stormed
Ella Arnold's POVI opened my eyes slowly and felt a slight headache. “Mom?” I Said and rubbed my forehead. Everywhere was blurry so I had to squint my eyes and open them slowly.One thing wasn't right. Mommy didn't answer and this place doesn't smell like home or school. I sat up and noticed I was sleeping on a tiny bed that had no bunk. I looked around and checked if I'd see Mila or Lila around but nay, I can't even smell them.Looking around, I found some old books covered in dirty cobwebs at the top of the wall. The room is not big, it's tall. Too much space at the top.I also found an old radio, a type I had never seen before. The room is a mess like it hasn't been used for decades. Beside me was a food tray of bread and water. What was I supposed to do with that?“Mom?” I called out again but then I realized how stupid I was at the moment. I read my mother's journals at home and there was something like this in it. Kidnapping. That's the word.I started hearing footsteps walk c
Bryan's POV I stood up immediately. I saw Ella on the TV and ran to the school where she was last seen. Too bad I saw the news late because I was busy settling and analyzing the daily report. Danielle's eyes were red and she looked pale when I found her there. The place was full of cops but I knew what I had to do. She explained what she saw on the CCTV to me and I promised her I'll get Ella back for her. It's something I must do. Of all her kids, Ella was just…different. Unlike Danielle, there was no tracking on Ella which made it hard to find her. “You need to go back home. I'll take you down to my place and we will analyze how we're going to find her. You just need to calm down and trust me.” She bought it and followed me into the car. I took her down to my house and made her hot coffee. She was still looking pale. Of course, why wouldn't she look lifeless when a part of her life is lost and she can't point to where she is at the moment? Knowing Ella isn't around hurt me a lo
Danielle's POV The whole world slowed down and I found myself setting hours in seconds. I watched the car deplete and scatter into pieces. I wanted the car to roll over and hit the truck slowly. I rushed out of the car and ran to the scene. Bryan tried to stop me but I pushed him away. The car was emitting smoke and sooner or later, it might explode. I looked for tears and I couldn't find it. Bryan reached me and opened the door of the upside-down car. The man driving the car was dead. The car was now painted red, blood that I did not want to belt was my daughter's. Bryan pulled her out and there she was, lying lifeless. Everywhere was silent, all I felt at the moment was pain. Bryan spoke words that I could no longer understand. He carried her into his car. It's the first time Bryan would shed a tear in my presence. All of that didn't matter. I ran free and got into the car. He sat in the driver's seat
Bryan's POV I watched in terror as life almost left Danielle where she stood. She looked at the doctor like she had just seen a ghost. I could tell what was going on in her mind and I hoped the doctor wasn't going to say it. She had a bad expression on her face and she just stood still for a minute before coming closer to us. “I don't think I would have to talk to you in private anymore,” she said. Danielle sat down on the chair with a pale face. She didn't say a word, she just sat there, looking blankly. “What's wrong?” I asked. “The girl, she needs blood.” “Well, then give it to her. why would you start operating without giving her blood?” I questioned. I ran my fingers through my hair and glanced at Danielle. I doubt she was hearing what we were talking about. I can't imagine a thousand thoughts going through her mind. I was dazzled in my thoughts for a second. “We are out of her blood group. Going out to get