2024-11-17 22:07:35
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395. New Plan
The late afternoon sunlight stretched long shadows across Brandt and Isadora’s front lawn when Van’s car pulled into the driveway. Ivy sat quietly in the passenger seat, a suitcase on her lap, her knuckles white from holding it too tightly. The twins were asleep in the back, their cheeks flushed from exhaustion, their little arms tangled together.Isadora was watering the potted plants near the porch when she spotted the car. At first, her heart lifted, thinking it was just a casual visit, but when she saw Ivy step out with a suitcase and Van’s drawn expression, her stomach tightened.“Van? Ivy?” she called, already setting the watering can aside. “What’s going on?”Van tried to smile, but it was tight, strained. “Isadora… we need your help. Just for a little while.”By the time Ivy reached the porch, Isadora had already taken the suitcase from her hands and wrapped her in a hug. Ivy clung to her a little longer than usual, and Isadora immediately sensed the heaviness pressing down on
394. An Attempt
Van’s pulse hadn’t slowed down since the phone call. Even with the flashing red and blue lights reflecting against his car windows, his grip on the steering wheel stayed tight, his jaw clenched. When he arrived at the school, his eyes immediately locked onto the sight of a man pinned down by two security guards, thrashing wildly in their hold.Van jumped out of the car before it had even fully stopped. “Where are my kids?” he barked, scanning the area with frantic eyes.“They’re safe inside, Mr Everest,” the officer reassured quickly, nodding toward the classroom doors. “This man tried to take them, but the teacher acted fast.”Van stalked closer, his fury radiating like heat. But when he got a good look at the would be kidnapper, he froze. His chest tightened with confusion. The man wasn’t Daniel. He wasn’t even familiar.Van’s brows furrowed. Who the hell is this?The police restrained the man as he spat out panicked excuses. “I was told —he said the kids were in danger! Their fathe
393. Caution
The next morning, Van woke earlier than usual, the weight of last night’s conversation still heavy on his chest. He moved through the house quietly, careful not to wake Ivy or Leona. Instead of allowing Ivy to take the kids, he personally got them ready and drove them to school himself. He held their hands a little longer before letting them go, kissing their foreheads and watching until they disappeared inside.On his way back, he called Ivy. “Don’t leave the house today unless it’s absolutely necessary,” he instructed, his voice low but firm. “And make sure every door is locked.”Ivy didn’t argue. She knew by his tone that this wasn’t about being overprotective— it was about survival.By the time Van reached the office, he had already pushed himself into work mode, trying to bury his unease beneath meetings, cllalls, and contracts. He had barely settled in when his receptionist’s voice came through the intercom.“Sir… there’s a woman here waiting for you. Bianca.”Van froze. The las
392. The Threat
Van couldn’t sleep. The soft hum of the city in the distance did nothing to ease his mind. If anything, it felt louder than usual, pressing against his temples. He sat out on the balcony, elbows resting on the railing, staring into the night sky. The stars were faint, barely visible against the city lights, but even if the heavens had been ablaze with them, he wouldn’t have noticed. His thoughts kept circling back to the same point: Bianca. Daniel. Ivy. The children.If only he had said no that day —if only he had ignored Bianca’s desperate plea to meet. He had managed to convince himself it was out of closure, out of respect for the past they had shared, but now he wondered if he had simply opened the door for chaos. If he had walked away, Daniel wouldn’t exist in their world, wouldn’t be trailing Ivy like some shadow waiting for the right moment to pounce.The sound of the sliding glass door pulled him back. He turned, expecting to see empty space, but there she was— his wife, his
391. Police Station
The time was just a few past 12PM, and the conference room was filled with the executives, and Van at the head of the table. The weekly meeting was in full swing when he noticed his phone buz on the polished mahogany table. He normally ignored calls during work hours— everyone knew his time was valuable— but something about the caller ID made his heart skip a beat. Police Station.He excused himself sharply and answered. The voice on the other end was calm, professional, but the words carried enough weight to freeze the room around him: “Is this Mr Van Everest?”“Yes?”Your wife, Mrs Ivy, is here with us.”He didn’t wait for explanations. The phone clattered against the table as he bolted out, leaving a half dozen stunned executives staring after him.The drive to the station was a blur. He ran red lights, tires screeching as he pulled into the lot. His chest felt tight until he saw her —Ivy. Safe. Alive. Sitting in a small waiting area, her hands folded in her lap. The instant she sa
390. The Encounter
The late morning sun filtered through the glass walls of the grocery store, painting long stripes of light across the polished tiles. Ivy only needed a few essentials— milk for the children, fruit for the week, and some flour for the banana bread she had promised Van she would make. It should have been a simple errand, a quiet part of her day. But the moment she stepped through the sliding doors, she saw him.Daniel.He was lingering by the produce section, pretending to study the apples with far too much intensity. When his eyes flicked toward her and lit up in recognition, Ivy’s heart sank. She adjusted the strap of her handbag higher on her shoulder and pushed her cart forward, deliberately choosing the opposite aisle.“Ivy hey,” Daniel greeted warmly, striding over like an old friend. His voice carried a false casualness, as though they had planned this meeting.“Daniel.” Ivy’s reply was curt, clipped. She didn’t stop walking.“I was hoping to see you.” His smile wavered when she
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