Chapter Three: Emily's POV

Five years later…

“Victor. What are you doing here? I mean it's still so early.” I said, causing him to let out a small smile.

“Well, it's not so early to help a friend out, right? I mean, I want to assist you in every way I can. You have a shift at the coffee shop later on, don't you?” He answered, walking into the living room.

Keith and Kira were still having breakfast, and I was trying to pack their lunches and get them ready for drop off before heading to the small coffee shop where I worked.

“Hi Kids.” Victor greeted and Keith hugged Victor, while Kira looked away and focused on her food. It was no news that Kira didn't seem so comfortable or friendly around anybody, except me.

Keith was the striking resemblance of him and Kira also looked like her father in a few ways. Sometimes, I got sentimental, wondering what it would have been like being married to him, and raising the twins with him.

But having moved away from the pack, and birthing my babies, I accepted it. Daniel was not my fate. And even though I had the twins as a connection with him, I had severed all other ties with him and the pack.

He was a part of my past I decided to forget completely.

“Earth to, Em. What are you thinking about? Kids are done having breakfast, you need to go get dressed.” Victor said and I smiled gratefully at him.

Soon it was time and we left the house, the small apartment where I could afford. Life wasn't rosy but we were getting by and that's all that matters.

“Bye Mom.” My kids chorused as they entered the building where the Kindergarten was.

“Bye Kids. And remember, if there’s an emergency, don't forget to call me. Okay?”

They both nodded and I watched them go into their teacher’s embrace, before Victor drove off, dropping me off at my own workplace, and promising to come pick me up to go get the kids.

*******

"Damn it!" I cursed as I tripped over one of the tables in the cafe in my rush to get to my kids' school, already an hour late.

My phone rang and I looked at the caller ID. It was Victor.

“Hey. I wouldn't be able to come get you so we can pick the kids.” He said and I sighed.

“It's alright. I’ll get a Taxi. I have to now. I am late already.” I replied and he ended the call.

My kids would be worried, and their teachers would be giving me the side-eye.

Grabbing my house keys, I headed out the door, stepping into the bright sunlight. My kids were all I had in the world, and I would do anything for them.

Sometimes I remind myself that my kids and I shouldn't have to suffer because their father had the wealth and resources to provide for the twins.

But it was easy to feel that way when I was tired and overwhelmed. And I had promised myself never to have anything to do with Daniel ever again. The twins would forever be a secret I intended to keep from him.

I knew I had to find a way to make things right, for both my kids and me. I had to find a way to be the best mother I could be, even if it meant facing my own fears and insecurities

As I arrived into the school parking lot, I took a deep breath and got out of the car.

The school’s secretary greeted me with a knowing look, as if she could tell that I was stressed and out of sorts. I gave her a weak smile in return, trying to seem as calm as possible.

I headed in the direction of my kids' classroom and knocked on the classroom door. A moment later, Mrs. Johnson, their teacher, opened it.

“Ms Emily," the teacher said, her voice sounding puzzled. "I wasn't expecting you. What are you doing here? I thought you sent your husband to pick up the kids."

What? I stared at her, dumbfounded. I was a single mother, and I didn't have a husband, or even a boyfriend. What did she mean by ‘pick up the kids’?

"I don't have a husband," I repeated, my voice more insistent this time. "Can you please tell me who picked up my kids?"

The teacher's eyes widened, as if she was finally realizing the gravity of the situation. She looked at me with concern and said,

“I’m so sorry, Miss Emily. I don't know for sure who picked up your children. Although he said he was your husband, he seemed friendly with the kids too. We tried calling you but somehow, your line wasn't connecting"

Immediately overwhelmed with panic and unable to think clearly, I couldn't help but fear the worst. My kids were in danger. Was it possible that Daniel knew where they were?

Had he found out about them somehow? But that seemed impossible.

I hadn't even told him I was pregnant. I had been alone in this, and yet someone had taken my children. I felt lost, unsure of what to do next.

A feeling of dread began to settle in the pit of my stomach. All day, I had been feeling uneasy, but I kept brushing it off. I needed to get to the bottom of this, and fast.

Then, a thought occurred to me, and so I reached into my purse, pulling out my phone and dialing my best friend’s number.

"Hello, Victor," I cried, trying to keep my voice steady. "Did you pick up my kids from school today? The teacher told me that someone had come to get them, and I -"

"Emily, No," Victor cut in, sounding confused. "I haven't been near school today. I've been busy with work."

I felt my heart drop, panic rising within me. If Victor hadn't been the one to pick up my kids, then who had? And where were they now? I was desperate for answers, but I knew I had to stay calm.

I continued, my voice quavering. "I don't know what to do. I'm so worried about my kids. I need to find them, but I don't know where to start. Can you help me? Please?"

I could hear the concern in Victor's voice as he responded.

“Of course, Emily. We'll figure this out. Don't worry. I’ll be right there” he assured me.

I took a deep breath, grateful for Victor's level-headed response.

"Okay," I answered as I ended the call.

I shook my head, my mind racing. I couldn't think of anyone who would have taken my kids without my knowledge. I felt myself panicking again, a sense of helplessness and fear. I had to find my children, and I had to find them now. I turned to the teacher, desperation in my voice.

"Do you have any surveillance footage?" I asked. "Any way to see who took them?"

The teacher nodded, a look of understanding on her face. "Of course. I'll get the footage right away."

I watched as she turned and walked towards the office, my heart pounding in my chest. I prayed that the footage would show me who had taken my kids, and that they were safe.

When we reached the security office and looked through the footage, we saw that the man who took the kids had been wearing a face cap, making it impossible to identify him.

"We'll find your kids, Miss Emily. Just take deep breaths and calm down" the teacher said, trying to reassure me.

"Don't tell me to calm down!" I shouted, my voice shaking with too many emotions. “You let a stranger take my children. What kind of staff are you?"

The teacher's face paled, as she looked at me with guilt and sorrow. I could tell she was struggling to find the right words to say.

Before the teacher could respond, my phone rang. I recognized the number as belonging to my other friend, Helen. I was tempted to let it go to voice mail, but something made me answer.

"Em, what's going on?” Helen asked, her voice just as concerned. "Victor called me now and said something went wrong with the twins."

I felt the words like a punch to the gut. I couldn't believe this was happening. "I don't know what to do," I said, my voice breaking. "I'm so scared."

"Take a deep breath," Helen said, her voice steady and calm. “We're going to figure this out. First, we need to file a police report. Can you do that while I head over to you?"

I took a deep breath, trying to focus on Helen's words.

“Yes," I said, feeling a little calmer. "I'm on my way. Just hang in there."

I hung up the phone, and turned to the teacher. "I'm going to file a police report," I said.

After what felt like hours and driving like a maniac on the highway, we arrived at the station and rushed in.

“Hello, Good day officers. There has been an obvious case of kidnapping and we need your assistance” Helen addressed the officers on duty as soon as we got to their desk.

I was still too stunned and in shock to speak so I just let her do all the talking, zoning in and out occasionally. My mind was brought back to the present when I heard the officer's final verdict.

"Ma'am, I'm sorry, but there's not much we can do," the officer said, his tone apologetic but firm. "We don't have any leads or evidence to work with. I'm afraid we can't just go chasing after every missing child report we get without any information."

I was filled with anger and frustration, but I tried to keep my composure. "You're telling me that you're just going to sit back and do nothing?" I said, my voice rising. "My kids are missing, and you're not going to do anything about it?"

The officer sighed. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but we've had several cases of missing children in this city, and we haven't been able to solve them. I understand your frustration, but we don't have any leads to go on.”

“Besides, it's not even up to 24 hours. Maybe someone took the kids for a lunch date and would bring them back later today." Another officer said.

I felt my hopes slipping away. Helen, always the voice of reason, spoke up. "We need you to do something, anything," he said. "These are our children, and we're worried about them. Please, help us."

The officers looked at each other, and I could see the indecision on their faces.

"What about offering a reward?" one of the officers suggested. "Maybe if we offered a large sum of money to anyone who can give us information that leads to finding your children, it would motivate people to come forward."

That gave me a spark of hope. It was a good idea, and I was ready to do anything to find my kids. Although I wasn't sure I could afford a large sum of money. But still, I would do anything for my kids.

I looked at Helen, hoping she might have an idea.

She nodded, understanding my unspoken question.

Helen's words cut through my thoughts. "We don't have that kind of money to offer a reward. All of us are just getting enough to get by."

"Don't you think you need to involve the kids' father in this?" she asked, her voice soft.

I didn't want to even consider it. Daniel and I had ended things badly, and I didn't want to have to face him.

“Please think about it, it’s not about whatever you had with him in the past. Focus on the fact that your children need to be saved right now.”

Deep down, I knew that there was a chance of finding the kids, but do I really want to involve Daniel in this? Was I ready to face him again after many years?