"Why in the world would you forget your phone?" Nichole said, raising an eyebrow. "That's such an odd thing to do." "It's not a big deal," Carmela replied, shrugging her shoulders. "It happens to everyone sometimes." But Nichole wasn't paying attention to her words. Instead, she was looking around the waterfront, and her eyes landed on two police officers, walking toward where there were standing. "Did anyone know you were coming here?" Nichole asked, panic rising in her voice. "Is there anyone else who knows we're here?" "No," Carmela replied, shaking her head. "I didn't tell anyone. I just left Max at home, and no one else knows I'm here." "Shit," Nichole muttered, her eyes darting around the waterfront, searching for a way out. "We have to get out of here." As they were about to make their escape, they heard a loud voice calling out, "Nichole! Stop right there!" Both women froze, their hearts pounding in their chests. Nichole turned to face the voice, her hand still cl
Earlier, Max had been called to the scene because of the sudden downfall of Nichole. "Carmela," Max said, his voice filled with concern. He rushed to her side, wrapping his arms around her and holding her close. "It's going to be okay," he said, his voice soothing. "I'm here for you." Carmela clung to Max, her body wracked with sobs. "It's all my fault," she cried. "I shouldn't have let go of her. I should have stopped her. Now she's..." She couldn't finish the thought. Max held her tighter, rocking her gently. "You're not to blame," he said, Carmela's grief turned to anger, and she struck Max's chest with her fists. "It's because of me!" she screamed, her words tinged with bitterness. "I should have done something! I should have stopped her!" Officer Johnson stepped forward, placing a hand on Max's shoulder. "You should take her home," he said. "We'll keep looking for her, but for now, she needs you." Max nodded, taking Carmela's hand and leading her away from the cli
Officer Johnson was walking down the hall with a doctor by his side. "Thank you for informing us about the body you found at the seaside last night," the officer said. "I know it must have been a difficult situation." "It certainly was," the doctor replied. "But I wanted to make sure you knew as soon as possible. I'm just glad we were able to get a message to you." As they walked, nurses and other hospital staff hurried past them, carrying files and pushing carts full of supplies. The bustle of the hospital was overwhelming, but the officer and the doctor paid it to none of their concern. The doctor led the officer to a quiet room, and opened a long drawer where a woman's body lay. The officer immediately covered his nose as the smell of decay filled the room. The doctor explained, "She's completely waterlogged, and I'm not sure how long she's been in the water." The officer held up a photo of Nichole. "Is this her?" he asked. The doctor studied the photo for a moment, then
"Pedro, where did you find my kids?" Carmela asked, still holding Hannah and Noah close. "How did you know where they would be?” Pedro looked down at the ground, his face red. "I've been following Nichole," he said. "I've been trying to figure out what she's been up to. When I saw the kids running away from her, I knew something was wrong." Carmela's eyes filled with tears again, this time with gratitude. "Thank you," she said, her voice breaking. "You saved my kids. Thank you." "Carmela," Officer Johnson said, "I understand that you're relieved to have your kids back. But I'd like to speak to them about what happened. If you're okay with that." “Is that necessary? I’ve gotten my kids back what’s there to ask about.” Carmela was flushed with anger. Her kids just came back and the officer wasn’t going to let them go yet? “I just need it to finish up some paperwork and close the case of your kids kidnapping.” Said officer Johnson, “so please comply with us.” Carmela nodded, h
Carmela took a deep breath and turned back to the morgue. "I'm ready to go," she said to Officer Johnson. "I want to take my kids home." "Of course," he said, his voice kind. "We've done everything we need to do here. I'll drive you home and make sure you and the kids are safe." Carmela felt a wave of gratitude wash over her. "Thank you," she said. "You've been so helpful. I really appreciate it." When Carmela and the kids arrived home, Max rushed out to meet them. He hugged the kids tightly, relief evident on his face. "Thank God you're safe," he said, his voice choked with emotion. "I was so worried." Carmela looked at him, her expression stern. "You should have been there," she said. "Where were you?" Max's face fell. "I'm sorry," he said. "I was at work, and I didn't know anything had happened until you called me. Why didn't you tell me sooner?" "I was trying to surprise you," Carmela said. "when we both realized the kids were missing, everything fell apart. I didn't wa
“What!” said Max looking a lot surprised at Carmela’s abrupt response to his proposal. He had thought that this was the best time to get her to marry him. Maybe he had thought wrong and gotten the idea that Carmela would be his again. “Mommy say yes!” Noah and Hannah screamed, their hands at their mouth, “Say yes!” Carmela turned to the kids, looking at how happy and so obliged they were for her to say yes to their father. However was that what Carmela wanted? Did she even want to get back with Max? Well, she had no say in that. Her kid's happiness was hers and if they wanted her back with their father, then why not? She could give it a try. “I’m just joking, yes, I will want to marry you.”Carmela laughed awkwardly, a weak smile on her lips, “I love you.” It sounded so genuine to Max that he believed everything. Nevertheless, Carmela only said yes because she thought it was what would make her kids happy. It’s been a long rift and staying apart wasn’t the best medicine for t
The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the city below. In a darkened bedroom, Carmela slept peacefully, her chest rising and falling with each breath. Beside her, Max lay still, his long eyelashes resting gently on his cheeks. The room was quiet, save for the faint hum of the air conditioner. Then, suddenly, the quiet was broken by the bright light of Carmela's phone screen. A notification flashed on the screen, alerting her to a new message. The phone kept beeping, its shrill sound cutting through the silence of the room. Reluctantly, Carmela opened her eyes and reached for her phone. As she squinted at the screen, she saw that there were ten new notifications. The messages all read the same: "Help." Carmela's heart began to race as she wondered what this could mean. Was someone in trouble? Or was this some kind of prank? Carmela sat up in bed, her heart pounding in her chest. She glanced over at Max, who was still sound asleep, blissfully unaware of the sit
As Carmela walked down the lonely street, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The air was still and quiet, and there was no one else around. The buildings looked run-down and abandoned, and the streetlights flickered eerily. The address she had been given led her to a dilapidated apartment building. She had a sinking feeling that she had been here before, but she couldn't remember when. It felt like a bad dream. As Carmela stepped into the dimly lit lobby of the apartment building, the memory of that day came flooding back to her. It was just a few months ago, and she had received a strange message on her phone, leading her to this very place. At the time, she had been with Max, and they had found themselves in a similar situation. She had followed the instructions, and it had ended badly. She shivered as she pushed the button for the elevator, dreading what she might find on the other side. Or was it max that had sent the message? "Hello?" Carmela called out, her