Zara’s POVI stared at the phone screen for the hundredth time that day, willing it to ring, vibrate or anything. But nothing yet, no missed calls, no messages, not even a damn emoji from Lisa.It had only been five days since she took Elias for the two-week custody agreement we’d settled on, but it felt like five months. I told myself I needed the break, that Elias deserved time with his aunt, and Lisa despite our complicated history had earned that right. But now, every minute he was gone gnawed at my soul like an open wound that refused to heal. I also don't know what happened and why my dad changed his mind about me leaving in one week.But I was happy he let me stay, because my head wasn't rapping around any escape this time but somehow something felt… wrong.I couldn't explain it. It was that prickly, cold dread that crept into your bones when a storm was approaching, even though the sky was still clear. I paced across the living room floor, arms crossed, biting the corner o

Lisa's POVThe warm wind of the evening felt like a blessing as Elias tugged on my hand, his excitement almost contagious. I had been waiting for this moment all week, just a simple warm evening with my nephew, spoiling him with ice cream and letting everything else fade away, even if just for a few hours.“Are we almost there?” Elias’s voice broke through my thoughts, his small steps quickening as we approached the ice cream parlor.I glanced down at him and smiled, squeezing his hand. “Just a few more steps, buddy. Almost there.”We reached the little shop, one of my favorites from when I was a kid. It had been a while since I’d been here, but everything still looked the same, striped awnings, a jingle bell on the door, and the sweet scent of waffle cones filling the air. I could already feel my own excitement building. A moment of normalcy, something I hadn’t had in weeks.I opened the door for Elias, letting him rush ahead, and followed him inside. The woman behind the counter gr

Zara’s POVThe drive to Lisa’s apartment felt unusually calm.Veronica and I exchanged a few quiet words, but for the most part, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was forgetting something important. I tried to push the nagging thought out of my mind, telling myself it was just my nerves acting up. After all, Lisa had seemed fine the last time I saw her. She’d been in good spirits, planning a quiet evening with Elias at her new place. She even mentioned she was finally getting settled after the move, though there's no enough security there.But nothing about that neighbourhood screamed “danger.” And yet… the air felt thick with unease.“I just hope she didn’t go out,” I muttered, staring out the window as the city passed by. “You know how she gets when she’s stressed. She’ll go off the grid for hours.”Veronica glanced over at me, her eyes narrowing in concern. “You think something’s off?”“No, I’m just overthinking. We’re probably fine,” I replied, trying to reassure myself.When t

Zara’s POV The heavy silence in Ethan’s penthouse seemed to stretch on forever. My heart felt like it was lodged in my throat, the knot of anxiety tightening with every passing second. We were all gathered in the living room.. Ethan, Elizabeth, Victoria, Veronica, and I, we were all sitting in a tense silence, waiting. Waiting for any kind of news.Victoria, pacing restlessly, had her arms crossed over her chest, her eyes darting nervously from one person to the next. Ethan was standing near the window, his back to the room, lost in his thoughts. His normally confident, composed demeanor was nowhere to be found. Instead, there was a tightness in his posture, an undercurrent of anger and helplessness beneath the surface. I knew he was worried about Lisa and Elias.Veronica sat on the opposite end of the couch, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. She hadn’t spoken much, but I could see her anxiety mirrored in her expression. Even though she was always so composed, I could tell this

Lisa’s POVMy breath hitched as the door clicked shut behind me.Elias sat in the corner of the dimly lit room, his tiny hands gripping a frayed teddy bear, his knees drawn to his chest. He looked up the moment he saw me, and his little face lit up, hope flickering in his wide eyes. I hadn’t seen him in days, not since they snatched us and for a second, relief filled me. At least he was okay. Physically, at least.“Aunt Lisa?” His voice was barely a whisper, shaky, like he didn’t quite believe I was real.I rushed toward him and dropped to my knees, pulling him into my arms. His small body trembled against mine, and I wrapped him tighter, trying to shield him from the cold dread that coiled inside me.“I’m here, baby,” I whispered, brushing his hair back. “I’m here now.”He clung to me like a lifeline, and I bit my lip to hold back the tears. I didn’t have the luxury of breaking down right now. Not when we were still trapped. Not when I had no clue how we were going to get out of this