chapter 5

Kurtis POV

The atmosphere outside my study was thick with anxiety. The maids and butlers moved about hesitantly, stealing nervous glances at the door but avoiding any attempt to come in. They knew better than to bother me while I was in this mood, especially after the argument with Lyra.

When the knock finally came, I could tell something was seriously wrong. The maid who entered was visibly shaking, her eyes wide and her voice trembling as she spoke. The sight of her made my stomach churn. Whatever news she was bringing couldn’t be good.

“Mr. Wellington,” she said, her voice barely a whisper. “I… I have news.”

Her fear was clear. “What is it?” I snapped, trying to keep my frustration in check.

“It’s Lyra. She’s been missing since this morning.”

A rush of panic hit me. Lyra? Angela’s twin? I had been so caught up in my issues that I hadn't given Lyra a second thought. As soon as the words sank in, I jumped up from my chair, my heart pounding. My thoughts were spinning in a million directions, trying to figure out where she might be and what had happened.

“Where’s she been last seen?” I barked.

“Not sure, sir. We’ve checked the villa and the garden shed, but there’s no sign of her. We’re starting to search the trails now.”

Without another word, I grabbed a backpack, filled it with emergency supplies, and bolted outside. I couldn’t let the panic take over. I had to find her.

The sun was setting, turning the sky bright orange and purple as it went down. Shadows grew long and dark across the rocky ground, making everything look even emptier. My breath came out as foggy clouds with each exhale, visible in the chilly air.

I hurried along the shoreline, scanning every rock and crack. “Lyra!” I shouted, my voice trembling in the cold air. The sound echoed off the rocks and faded into the darkness. “Lyra, where are you?” I called again, feeling more desperate. The empty surroundings seemed to swallow my shouts, and I felt a tight knot of fear in my stomach.

The chill in the air was biting, and as the darkness grew, so did my worry. My hands shook as I reached for my phone, realizing I hadn’t tried calling her. The reception here was terrible, but I had to try.

“Lyra, pick up,” I muttered, frustration making my voice tight. But the call went straight to voicemail.

I pushed deeper into the rocky area, trying to think of where Lyra could be. Then I found something unexpected: a small cave, barely visible among the rocks. It was well-hidden and easy to miss.

Inside the cave, Lyra was curled up on the ground, her breathing shallow and uneven. Her face was very pale, and she looked confused. I felt a wave of relief as I approached her, but that quickly turned to worry. “Lyra?” I said softly, crouching down next to her.

She stirred slightly, her eyes fluttering open. “Kurtis?” Her voice was barely audible, and she seemed confused. “I… I was looking for something…”

“Shh, don’t try to talk,” I said, my heart pounding. “You’re going to be okay. I’m here to help you.”

She tried to sit up but wobbled, clearly too weak to hold herself up. I quickly picked her up, feeling her body shake against mine. The warmth of her against me was a sharp contrast to the cold night around us. “I need to get you out of here,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm and steady.

As I carried her back, I felt her shivering against me with each step. It was a stark reminder of how close I’d come to losing her. The cave had been a cruel trap, and my only goal now was to get her to safety.

Her head rested on my shoulder, and I could feel her breathing steadying as she began to relax. I held her tightly, trying to keep her warm and shield her from the cold and darkness. Each step felt like progress, and I focused on getting her back to the villa where she’d be safe.

As I carried Lyra back, every step felt like a small win. The villa’s warm lights were a huge relief, breaking through the darkness. The staff came rushing out, their faces showing both worry and relief.

“Mr. Wellington, is she all right?” one of the maids asked, her voice trembling.

“She’s cold and weak but alive,” I replied, my voice steadier now that we were close to safety. “Get a doctor and warm blankets. We need to get her warmed up immediately.”

Lyra stirred in my arms, her eyes fluttering open again. “Kurtis…” she murmured, her voice still faint.

“You’re safe now,” I said softly, trying to comfort her as best as I could. “We’re going to get you taken care of.”

The staff acted fast. They gently took Lyra from my arms and helped her into a cozy room with a big, soft bed. I followed right behind, my mind still racing from the search.

“Get her warmed up and make sure she’s comfortable,” I told them, my voice tight with concern.

“Yes, Mr. Wellington,” one of the maids replied as she carefully arranged blankets around Lyra.

I watched as the doctor arrived, quickly assessing Lyra’s condition. “How is she?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

“She’s stable but very cold,” the doctor said as he worked. “We need to warm her up slowly and keep her hydrated.”

I nodded, trying to calm my racing heart. “I’ll stay here,” I said, settling into a chair beside her bed. “I need to be sure she’s okay.”

The staff continued to work efficiently, and I stayed close by, watching over Lyra. Even though she was safe now, I couldn’t shake the worry that had taken hold of me.

Once Lyra was wrapped in blankets and receiving medical attention, I took a moment to collect myself. The fear and anxiety I’d felt earlier had left me exhausted, but I was grateful that she was found in time.

I stood by her side, watching as the doctor worked, hoping that she would soon be back to her old self. The relief of finding her was overshadowed by the questions swirling in my mind: How had she ended up in that cave? What had caused her to go missing in the first place?

For now, though, all I could do was stay by her side and make sure she knew she was safe.