Augustine stiffened in his place, storm rising behind his eyes. "What? How the hell did that happen?"
"She fought with her inmates in jail last night. She got injured and was rushed to the hospital. Early this morning, she stabbed a nurse, stole her uniform, and fled. No one noticed until it was too late."
Augustine slamd his fist down on the desk, making the items on it jump. Veins twitched along his temples. "Damn it."
"The police are looking for her everywhere," Gustave added quickly. "She won’t stay hidden for long."
But that didn’t ease the tension curling in Augustine’s gut. He had seen the unhinged look in gan’s eyes. Her hatred for Anne ran deep, and she had already tried to take her life once. Augustine feared she would co after Anne again, and this ti, she might succeed.
He shot to his feet. "Send soone else to the site. I need to find Anne."
Before Gustave could say another word, Augustine was already halfway to the door. He stord out of the office and strode down the corridor, pulling out his phone. As he headed toward the elevator, he punched in Sam’s number.
After a few rings, Sam answered. "Hello?"
"Where are you? Where is Anne?"
Sam straightened instantly, catching the urgency. "She wanted to stop by her old house," he said. "She picked up a few things for Paule and Patricia. So..."
"Bring her ho right away," Augustine cut in sharply.
"Huh?" Sam paused, confused.
Anne had only gone inside a few minutes ago. How was he supposed to tell her they suddenly had to leave?
"What’s going on, sir? Is sothing wrong?"
"Bring her ho safely. I won’t repeat."
Sam straightened, realizing the gravity of the situation. "Understood, sir."
Augustine ended the call and stepped into the elevator.
Sam scanned his surroundings, eyes alert, instincts on high. Sothing was off—he could feel it. Augustine’s voice had carried too much tension for this to be routine.
’Sothing is wrong,’ he thought. ’I need to check on her.’
He stepped out of the car and made his way toward the house.
Inside the house...
Anne pulled the suit from its garnt bag with a bright smile. "This is for you, Papa," she said, holding it up for Paule to see. "Do you like it?"
Paule stared at the suit, his voice catching. "This... it must have cost a lot." His eyes traced the fine stitching and smooth fabric. "Why would you spend so much on ?"
Anne reached out, gently squeezing his hand. "It’s my welco party. And you are one of the most important people in my life. I want you to look your best."
His expression softened, and a quiet smile tugged at the corners of his lips. But his eyes shimred with unshed tears.
Across the room, Patricia watched the exchange, a flicker of hesitation crossing her face. "Anne...we are just simple people. The Granets are wealthy, powerful. They might have invited all these high-society families. Do you really think we belong at that kind of event?"
Paule nodded in agreent. "It’s not our world. I feel uneasy about going."
Anne let out a soft sigh. "Papa, don’t think like that. You took in when I had no one. You gave a ho. You protected . I don’t know if I would have made it through those years without you."
She smiled gratefully. "We may not share blood, but you are still my father. And I want everyone to know you are the one who stood by when no one else did."
Then she looked at Patricia. "Please, you have to co to the party for . I want you both there."
Patricia’s eyes welled up as her last bit of hesitation lted away. She gave Anne a small nod, a soft smile forming on her face.
"I’ll go make so juice," she said as she stood up and headed into the kitchen.
Bottom of Form
Just then, Sam stepped inside, his tall fra filling the doorway. Anne looked up, surprised but pleasantly so.
She had asked him to co inside earlier, but he had chosen to wait in the car instead. She was glad he had finally decided to join them.
"You ca in after all. "Co, sit down," she offered warmly.
He gave a brief nod. Seeing her safe eased sothing in his chest.
At that mont, Patricia erged from the kitchen carrying a tray of freshly squeezed juice. "You have arrived just in ti. Sit down and have so juice."
She placed the tray on the coffee table, picked up a glass, and handed it to him.
"Thanks," Sam replied as he accepted the glass. He took a long sip.
"Why don’t you sit while you drink?" Anne said, watching him.
He hesitated, then gave a stiff smile and sat down. But his posture was tense, his shoulders tight, and his eyes kept darting toward the door.
Anne noticed instantly. "Are you alright?" she asked, scanning him.
"I’m fine," Sam replied quickly, lifting the glass a little. "Just thirsty. I really needed this." He downed the rest of the juice in one go and set the empty glass on the table. "Thanks again."
Then his expression shifted. "We should leave," he said seriously.
Patricia blinked, surprised. "Why so soon? She just got here. She hasn’t even eaten anything."
"Anne, stay for dinner," Paule offered. "Call Augustine—ask him to co down after work. We’d love to have you both."
But before she could answer, Sam interjected, "I’m sorry. She can’t stay long. We need to get back ho now. Madam, please." He was already on his feet.
Anne was taken aback. She glanced at Paule and Patricia, a flicker of guilt creeping into her expression. Leaving so suddenly felt awkward. But one look at Sam’s face told her it wasn’t without reason. He wouldn’t interrupt like this unless it was urgent.
"Papa," she said, trying to keep her tone light, "let’s have dinner another ti. I’ll bring Augustine. Maybe next weekend."
Patricia crossed her arms, her disappointnt clear. "You said that before."
Anne opened her mouth to respond, but nothing ca out.
Sensing her discomfort, Paule stepped in. "Patricia, don’t pressure her," he said calmly. "She said she’ll co again. Sothing might have co up. Maybe it’s about the party. Let her go."
Patricia nodded. "Alright."
Anne gave Paule a grateful smile. "Thank you. I promise I will co again with Augustine and have dinner with you." She stood up, slipping the bag over her shoulder. "But you have to co to the party. Be on ti. I’ll be waiting for you both."
"We’ll be there," Paule said with a warm nod. "Don’t worry."
With a final smile, Anne headed toward the door, Sam silently falling into step behind her.
As soon as they stepped outside, the smile faded from her face. She stopped just before reaching the car and turned to him, her eyes narrowing.
"What’s going on?" she asked, her voice etched with frustration. "Why are you dragging ho so suddenly?"
Sam bowed his head slightly. "I’m sorry, madam. I really didn’t have a choice. Sir called —he sounded serious. Told to bring you back right away. He didn’t say what happened, but... sothing doesn’t feel right. I could hear it in his voice."
A tight knot twisted in Anne’s stomach.
"Alright," she said quickly. "Let’s go."
She slipped into the backseat.
Sam got behind the wheel, started the engine.
It didn’t take long for them to reach ho. The mont Anne stepped into the hall, her eyes landed on Augustine, seated on the sofa, phone pressed to his ear, with tension coiled through his fra.
Their eyes t.
Instantly, Augustine ended the call and stood up.
Anne’s lips curved into a smile as she walked toward him, but the mont she was close enough, he pulled her into his arms almost desperately.
"Anne," he breathed. The tightness that had coiled in his chest eased a bit when he saw her. She was back ho safely.
Anne returned the hug. She felt the rigid stress in his body. Her smile faded, replaced with concern. "What’s going on?" she asked, pulling back slightly, searching his eyes. "Why do you look so flustered?"
"gan escaped," Augustine revealed.
The color drained from her face. "What? How?" she exclaid.
He explained everything—the fight in prison and then bringing gan to the hospital. "She stabbed a nurse and stole her uniform," he added. "gan vanished before anyone noticed. And the nurse is in critical condition."
Anne stood frozen, reeling from the revelation.
"That woman is unstable, dangerous," Augustine added grimly. "She already tried to kill you once. I am afraid she’ll try again."
He reached out, holding her by the shoulders, his eyes locked on hers. "Listen to , Anne. Please don’t misunderstand. I need you to stay ho for now until they catch her. Don’t go out. I can’t take any chances with your safety. Can you do that for ?"
Anne let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head at his intensity. "You are being overprotective," she said teasingly. "I don’t need to be locked up in the house like. You are with , and Sam is practically glued to my shadow. gan wouldn’t dare co near."
She gave his hands a gentle squeeze, her tone reassuring. "I’ll be fine. Where would I even go? It’s just ho and the office, day in and day out. That’s my life lately. And the office is secured. She is not getting anywhere near ."
A warm, confident smile touched her lips. "You really do worry too much."
"I do," he admitted. "Because I love you too much." He cupped her face. "The thought of anything happening to you or the baby—it terrifies . Please, Anne. Just a few days. Stay ho until we find her."
Anne opened her mouth to argue. But then she caught the genuine fear in his eyes. She had never seen him so much disturbed before, not even during the most dangerous monts of that island shootout.
She exhaled slowly and nodded. "Alright. I’ll do as you say."
f.(r)eewe/bnov\ll
Only then did Augustine breathe again, his entire fra easing as though a weight had been lifted. He pulled her into his arms once more.
"I’ll always protect you," he whispered into her hair.
"I know," she murmured back. "You always do."
Reviews
All reviews (0)