Where's my Daughter?

Sophia

I could barely contain my rage as I drove to the hospital. My heart plummeted and my mind raced as I sped through the busy streets. My husband was definitely testing my patience. I hated the fact that after all the troubles he had caused me, he still thought he had any right over my daughter.

The tires of my car screeched loudly as I pulled into the parking lot of the hospital. I got out of the car and dashed into the building, my heartbeat thumping my ears. I pushed through the revolving doors and hurried to the reception desk. I took a deep long breath before I spoke.

“Why did you let him take my child?” I demanded from the lady behind the table my voice rising above the soft cacophony in the hospital.

The blonde lady dressed in white was taken aback.

“Good day, Ma’am. I am sorry but I don’t have that information. I would like you to calm down so I can get someone to help you.”

I was about to raise my voice when I heard my name.

“Sophia!” My mother called out from behind me and I went to her.

“Tell me what happened, mom,” I said taking hold of her arms. Her face had a blanket of worry and exhaustion on it.

“I went home to get some food, and I was delayed a bit, and when I came back, I was told her father had come to take her,” my mother explained.

“But why would they let him do that?”

“They said they told him she needed to stay an extra day so they could monitor her development, but being her father, they let him take her.”

“But they cannot allow that. I am about to divorce this man.”

“But no one knows that, Sophia. You didn’t even mention it to me. “

“I was going to, mother. Just yesterday, I caught him with his mistress.”

My mom’s eyes widened and her mouth fell.

“His mistress?” She asked.

“Long story mother. I’ll give you the details later. Right now, I need to find Beryl. I need someone in this hospital to explain why they let him take her.”

My blood began to boil once more and as I turned to return to the reception, I heard my name again. This time it was a man’s voice. It was Nathan’s voice.

“Sophia!” He called out walking briskly towards me.

“Nathan,” I returned.

Our conversation last night had been somewhat tensed, and had left me with more questions than answers. He approached me and gently held my arm.

“Sophia, I need us to go somewhere private to talk calmly. We need to figure what’s going on calmly,” he said.

“Calmly? Nathan, my daughter is gone and I have no clue where she is right now. How the heck could this happen under your watch?’ I asked.

“Sophia, I understand that you are upset and rightly so, but you need a clear head to resolve this issue and you are going about it the wrong way.”

Hearing his words reminded me of those times we were together. He had a way of calming me down and reassuring me whenever I was in a bad situation.

“Can we speak at my office?” He asked.

“I’m coming, mom,” I turned and said to her.

Nathan held me by my hand and led me to his office. He took a deep breath after we both sat down and leaned forward placing his arms on the table.

“I need you to listen calmly to me, Sophia.”

“I’m listening,” I replied, my arms folded over my chest.

“I was not on duty when he came. I only just resumed. When I came, I was told he had taken her and when I asked why, they told me that firstly, he was Beryl’s father and he had presented a court order granting him temporary custody of your daughter,” he explained.

My eyebrows furrowed.

“A court order? How’s that possible?”

“That was what I was told, and you know, no one would be willing to go against such a document.”

“But why wasn’t I contacted first?” I demanded.

“The hospital tried calling you, but they couldn’t reach you,” he answered.

It was then I remembered I had turned on the do-not-disturb feature of my phone so I could focus on work back at the office.

“So naturally, they had to let him take her. But have you tried calling your husband?”

“I have tried several times but I can’t reach him,” I replied.

“You need to get a lawyer involved in this, Sophia.”

“I already have one who’s currently facilitating the process of our divorce. I will reach out to him and make him aware of the recent developments.”

“That will be good,” he said. “You look exhausted, Sophia. Seems like you haven’t been getting enough rest.”

“There’s just so much going on around me now, but I’ll be fine. I need to go now. I have to make a call,” I said getting up to my feet.

“No problem,” he said and walked closer to me before throwing his arms around me.

“It’s okay, Sophia. You can always reach out if you need me.”

I almost cried as I felt his warmth envelope me. I needed the embrace so badly. Several memories flashed through my mind and I quickly let go of him before heading out of the office.

Outside his office, I took out my phone and dialed Timothy. After a few rings I heard his voice.

“Good evening, Sophia.”

I didn’t waste time with the pleasantries as I went on to narrate all that had happened. After reassuring me that he would get to the root of it all and my daughter would be found and returned to me, I ended the call and proceeded to try calling John once more.

I was about to hit the dial button when my phone started ringing. It was my boss, David, calling.

“Hello, David.”

“Sophia. Where the hell are you?” He demanded.

“I’m at the hospital. I came to get my daughter.”

“You didn’t mention that to me or anyone. The chairman demanded for your report and he wasn’t pleased.”

Holy crap!

I had forgotten about the report.

“Tomorrow is the general board meeting, Sophia, and he has gone home. He demanded you made damn sure you bring the report to his house.”

“His house? Can’t I just send it via mail?”

“No, Sophia. You must take a hard copy to him yourself so you can both review it before tomorrow. You better make damn sure you finish it and get it to him today. Is that clear?”

“Yes, boss,” I answered.

“Then later, I need to know what’s going on with your daughter.”

“Yes, sir.”

The line went dead and I stood at the hallway thinking about what I just heard. The chairman wants me to bring the report to his house? This was the same man I had called a bloody pervert. If the universe was punishing me for my sins, then this was becoming too much.