The search begins Mia's POV A few hours later, the sounds of police sirens pierced through the air. My heart increased its beat speed as I saw police officers flood the mansion. All moving around and searching the hell place. This scene gave me an eerie feeling like I was in a nightmare and I needed to be awoken. As they entered the mansion, Azek and I recapped all that had happened — the boys missing, Chloe's threats. My voice was shaky as I spoke, my hands trembled, and my thoughts scattered, but I figured myself to focus. The lead detective, a tall dark man, nodded thoughtfully. He had a stern but reassuring look, his calm demeanor gave a sense of silver comfort. He took down every last detail we gave. His reassuring presence did little to calm the storm raging inside me. Azek stood beside me, holding me passionately, his jaw clenched from terror as he answered questions. The police officers assured us that they would make sure our boys were found as soon as possible. But th
Uncovered secretsNatalia's POV Since the boys went missing, the entire house has been in chaos. The whirlwind of confusion stormed the mansion like a hurricane, destroying everything in its path. Including the joy and hope of the boys. Mia and Azek clung to each other like rabbits in the cold. They were holding to the tiny strand of hope they had left after the police officers found a minor lead about the whereabouts of the boys. I watched as everything unfolded in a manner that wreaked havoc in the hearts of everyone involved. I felt bad for Mia. Not only that, but I could see her lose her sanity but the hours. The events were rather slow, it felt like an eternity before the police could find a good lead that would take us closer to finding the boys. It was only a few hours since the e police arrived, and everything moved in slow motion. The heartbreaking events had slowed things down. As things unfold in slow motion, I couldn't shake off this wrong feeling. I stood there askin
The confrontation Natalia's POV Their conversation ended abruptly, as Reed heard my phone ring. As I stood there not moving a muscle, I tried to listen. Reed started making his way to the door. I felt like my feet were glued to the floor. I froze in fear. And I also didn't want him to find out I was eavesdropping on his evil conversation with Chloe. I fought with my legs to carry me away from the door. My legs were just frozen. The shock of the entire situation made my legs so heavy I couldn't move them, let alone run from the door. “What do I do” I asked myself still in the seconds I had to run or confront him. As his footsteps drew closer and closer to the door, my heart squeezed under the pressure of fear with each step I heard. Luckily, before he couldn't finish opening the lock, I ran into an empty apartment, closing the door behind me. I peeked through the keyhole, to see if he had any clue pointing it was me. He just looked left and right down the hallway and shook his hea
The search continues Azek's POV “Oh my God! why is it taking this long to find them!" I yelled at the chief detective. I had started losing it. The information about the car spotted around the Mansion was supposed to bring us closer to finding the boys. Instead, it created more confusion about the entire situation. I just couldn't get over the feeling that the information was incomplete. “Please sir, we are doing our best. Just relax and let us do our jobs" the chief detective said in a calm tone. The police were methodical with their approaches and operations, but it seemed as if the car just vanished into thin air. The CCTV footage didn't have enough coverage of the car and the direction it might be going in. This caused a feeling in everyone's mind like we were looking for traction on the Search. Other ideas were dropped to provide full attention to the information on the car. Hours flew by, and the faster they flew the more depressed Mia felt. I could see from her countenance
The Awakening Natalia's POV “Ouch !” I yelled as I woke. This pain at the back of my head made my eyes twisted with intense dizziness. My vision was blurry and my skin was slippery from sweat. As I woke, my consciousness flickered.As I opened my eyes, I looked around, observing the place. Where was I? I asked myself. The room was dimly lit, cold, and uninviting. The walls were of concrete and the air was musty, making it a little difficult to breathe. As I sat on the floor I felt the tightness of the course rope used to secure my hand behind me. I pulled my hand hard, but they won't budge. As I sat there, I slowly realized the gravity of the situation. I was kidnapped too! My heartbeat increased, and the rhythm changed to an irregular pace causing me to gasp for breath by the minute. “No! This can't be" I said to myself trying to free myself from the restraints. I struggled for some minutes, and then I took a moment to think and recalled how I got there. The pain at the back of
The Escape Natalia's POV “What the heck is this place !” I screened as I ran with all my strength. Dashing down the corridors, my breath left me gasping for air. The corridors seemed endless as they twisted and bent on each turn. These turns Disoriented me, causing my confidence to fade away as raced down the pathways. The more bends I took, the more my anxiety and fear grew. I struggled to keep my bearings and sense of direction. The corridors were dark, allowing you to see a few meters away. Reed's voice echoed through the pathways. He didn't expect that I would be able to outsmart him and free myself from his restraints. “Natalia wait !” His voices tear through the darkness. He frantically searches for me, opening and banging on each door he comes across on his path. I maintained silence and focused on getting out of there. Every twist and turn I made felt like a gamble of life and death. I certainly knew that one wrong move would lead me right back into Reed's clutches. As I
The warehouse search Azek’s POV “Get ready we are going with them,” I said to Mia who was just looking at me confused. I still wasn’t sure why the tactical team wanted our presence. But I just wanted to see my boys. My body was giving out at this point, I hadn’t slept for two days. The tension of the boys missing deprived me and Mia of sleep. We couldn’t rest easy knowing our boys were somewhere being held captive. Mia was already a dried leaf clinging on to the last strand of hope she had left. She reluctantly walked upstairs to get dressed. The entire mansion was filled with police officers all moving and putting in their best. Most of them haven’t slept for hours too. This was all for the good of the case. We needed to find the boys fast before we all started losing our minds. The tactical team got ready as soon as Mia and I came downstairs. We drove to the location where the sergeant had given us, as we approached the building, the air wrecked with the smell of rust and dust.
The Construction siteMia’s POV“How can we trust you?” Azek yelled at the strange guy that suddenly emerged from the shadows. I took a glance at the strange man, he looked haggard but had this expression of remorse and sympathy on his face. Something inside me wanted to trust him and he had given us information we would have never found.I tugged on Azek’s shirt signaling him to relax and the man looked friendly. I stepped out from Azek’s back showing that I wasn’t scared and I was willing to listen to the man. He introduced himself as Daniel. “He might be telling the truth and he just told us something that we never knew,” I said to Azek. Before I could finish convincing Azek the tactical squad stormed in pinning the man to the ground. Azek relaxed and told them to leave him and let him talk.“Can you take us there?” Azek asked the man. He just nodded and promised to help us get to the bottom of the matter. I looked again into the eyes of the man searching for any slight signal of
Reed looked up, his eyes ablaze with determination."I'll make it right," he promised.I smiled. "I know you will."We sat down to dinner, the initial uncomfortable silence giving way to halting conversation. Reed shared stories of his rehabilitation and growth, his struggles and triumphs. Natalie's laughter filled the room, music to my ears. Azek's quiet strength provided a steady anchor.I watched Reed watching Natalie, hopeful, believing in second chances redemption, and love. The road ahead wouldn't be easy, but together, we'd face it.The tension dissipated as dinner progressed, replaced by warmth and camaraderie. Reed's eyes never left Natalie's face, his gaze filled with adoration. Natalie's smile softened, her eyes sparkling with amusement.Azek broke the spell by clearing his throat. "So, Reed, what's next?" Reed became thoughtful. "I need to atone, prove myself. I find work and start volunteering. whatever it takes." Daniel nodded. His expression was approving. "That's a g
Natalie's P.O.V.As we sat to discuss the aftermath of the consequences, Reed's desperate plea kept replaying in my head. "Wait for me, Natalie." Each word echoed in my brain, reminding me of the promise that I had made to him.Mia broke into my thoughts. "Do you think he's capable of changing?" Her brow was furrowed with worry.I clenched my teeth, unsure. "I want to believe it's possible," I said at last.Azek's face had turned contemplative. "People can change, Nat," he said. "But it takes work. And Reed's got a long way to go."Daniel nodded in agreement. "He's got to prove himself, not just to you, but to all of us."I nodded, knowing they were right. Reed's journey to redemption wasn't going to be easy.As the conversation continued, I could only but find myself in the grip of every word dropping from her lips and wondering about his future. Was he going to succeed in his quest to be a better man?Or would he fail at it, lose his chance, and never redeem himself?The uncertainty
Natalie's POV I slid into the passenger seat, Daniel's eyes catching mine in the rearview mirror."Still in love with a criminal, huh?" he said, heavy on the sarcasm.I felt a flush rise to my cheeks."That's not fair, Daniel," I said, my voice sure.Daniel's eyes crinkled at the corners."I'm just keeping it real, Nat," he said. "Reed's got a lot to answer for."I sighed."I know," I said. "But I need to understand why."Daniel's expression softened."All right, I understand," he said. "But promise me one thing.""What?" I asked."Promise me you'll keep your guard up," Daniel said, his eyes serious.I nodded."I will."The ride to the prison was dead silent as my mind created images of Reed.What was it that had driven him to such decisions?And would I ever truly, fully forgive him?We pulled up and Daniel cut the engine off."You ready?" he asked.I took a deep breath in."Yeah."Daniel walked beside me, his silent presence that of someone who'd be there whatever happened.We move
Mia's P.O.V.Later, I went to prison and met Chloe. "Chloe, I have news. "What is it?" she asked."I'm pregnant," I said Chloe's face softened. "Congratulations, Mia.""I forgive you, Chloe," I said.Chloe's eyes welled up. "I'm going to be an aunt."As I walked out, finally there was closure. A new chapter unfolded for all of us – with love, forgiveness, and a growing family.Azek's lips brushed mine. "We're in this together.""Forever," I replied.Inspector Thompson conveyed congratulations on my pregnancy."Well, congratulations, ma'am."I smiled and said, "Thank you, Inspector.""When will my sister be parole-eligible?""In five to seven years, given that she has cooperated and her behavior has been good," he said.I nodded, wrapping my mind around the timeline."What of Reed?"Reed will do a bit more time since he's an accessory to the crime," Inspector Thompson explained. Azek wrapped arms around me. "Alright?""Chloe will be eligible for parole in five to seven years," I
Mia's Pov Today was the day of Chloe and Reed's hearing. By now, Azek was fully recovered and stood beside me, his hand clasped tightly around mine as we stood outside the courthouse. The morning sun cast a gold glow.Liam and Lewis were clinging to Natalie, their small hands clasped in hers. "Mommy, what is happening today?" Liam queried. I squatted beside them. "Today, Chloe and Reed will be sentenced," I told them. Lewis's eyes went wide. "Will they go to jail?" I nodded. "Yes, baby. They will."Natalie's face went hard. "They need to suffer for what they did." Azek's jaw flexed. "They will." As we started to enter the courtroom, Chloe and Reed scrambled to get themselves prepared. Chloe finally looked at me, a fire of anger and desperation in her eyes. Reed simply cast his face down, shame etched on it.Bang. The gavel fell, and with it, the room fell silent. "This court is now in session." The prosecutor stood, outlining the charges: kidnapping, conspiracy, treason. The evidence
---------Mia's POV I felt my world crumble as Azek's body hit the floor. "No! Azek!" I screamed, Lewis, clinging to me in terror.Daniel rushed to Azek's side, his face ashen. "He's been hit!"Inspector Thompson barked orders, securing the area. "Get a medic in here, now!"Rachel's voice came through the comms device, laced with panic. "Azek, no! Hang in there!"I dropped to my knees, clutching Azek's head in my lap. "Stay with me," I begged, as tears streamed down my face.Azek's eyes flickered open, his gaze locking onto mine. "Mia. Lewis. Safe?" he whispered.I nodded, doing my best to choke back a sob. "We're safe. You saved us."A faint smile crossed his lips. "I'll always. protect you."The medic charged in skillfully checking over the wound on Azek's side. "We need to get him to the hospital, now."They rushed Azek away, and I clung to Lewis as my heart broke.Daniel's arm went around me, his voice barely above a whisper. "He'll pull through, Mia. He has to."I nodded, unable
Mia's POV My heart stopped as I stared into Liam, my face a mask of horror."A bomb," Daniel whispered, his eyes bulging in terror. "They've strapped a bomb to him."Azek went white. "Get away from him, Mia."But I was frozen on the spot. My child, my innocent Liam, was standing before me, a ticking time bomb strapped to his chest.Reed laughed hysterically in the warehouse. "You'll never leave this place alive."Kuznetsov's voice was laced with malice. "The programming includes a self-destruct mechanism. Anyone tries to remove the bomb, it detonates."Inspector Thompson's voice was steady and calm as it came through the comms device. "Bomb squad, move in. We need a defusal expert, now."Liam's eyes locked on mine, a faint glimmer of recognition flickering."Mom," he whispered, his voice barely audible.Tears streamed down my face. "Liam, baby, hold on."Daniel slowly made his way over to Liam, his hands held out. "Liam, don't move. We're going to get you out of this."Azek's eyes ne
Mia's POV As we left the hospital, the weight of the note settled heavily in my mind. "You'll never find them." Reed's taunting words echoed through my thoughts, fueling my determination. Azek's hand remained wrapped around mine, a steady anchor amid chaos."We'll find them," he repeated, his eyes detecting, I knew, my skepticism. "Reed thinks he's smart, but he's left trails. We'll follow them to wherever it takes us."Inspector Thompson nodded in assent. "We'll go through every shred of evidence, every possible connection that there might be. We will leave nothing unturned."Daniel fell into step beside us, peering at his phone. "I have a lead on Reed's financials. He has been siphoning money to an offshore account."Azek's grip on my hand tightened. "That is our first break. Let us see where it takes us."The investigation was taking shape, but the more the hours passed, the more anxious I felt. Where were Liam and Lewis? Were they scared? Were they safe?As we approached Azek's c
Mia's POV My phone rang, shrill in the tight atmosphere. "Mia, it's the hospital," the nurse said. "Natalie's awake. You should come." I turned to Azek. "Natalie's awake. I need to go." Azek nodded. "I'll come with you." He informed Inspector Thompson, "I'm leaving to see Natalie. Keep me updated." Then he told Daniel, "Stay with the inspector, in case anything comes up."We raced to Natalie's room at the hospital. "Natalie," I whispered, clutching her hand. Her eyes fluttered open. "Mia. Azek.""What happened?" Azek asked; his voice was laden with concern. Natalie's gaze drifted, remembering the events. "Reed. he came. Took the kids." she stuttered. The look of shock widened Azek's eyes, and I felt like I'd been punched."Reed?" I echoed in disbelief. Natalie's voice shook. "I tried to stop him. but he overpowered me." Azek's face went white. "Why Reed?" he whispered. Natalie's tears began to fall. "I don't know. He said something about teaching you a lesson."My mind was reeling. R