Beneath the video was a chilling ssage:
"October 22nd. If you fail to show up at the location I’ve specified, your sweet little angel will beco the next child to permanently disappear. Don’t test my patience. I imagine if you saw the bloody scene, you’d be utterly devastated. In truth, I’d quite enjoy seeing that unfold..."
Ella’s hands trembled slightly, as if an invisible force was squeezing the air out of her lungs, making it hard for her to breathe.
Would that person really harm Elias? She couldn’t risk gambling on that.
Kidnappers have always been ruthless; no one would expect kindness from such people. Ella wasn’t about to stake her son’s life in a wager against this mysterious man.
But if she went, what if she fell right into their trap? Yet, the fact that he had sent a ssage to her indicated that he knew Elias’s whereabouts.
No clue could be ignored.
It was October 21st. She had just one day left to decide.
During lunch, Ella overheard from the conversation that Eric and his team had run out of leads.
Mason was working his usual schedule in Country W, showing no signs of abnormal behavior.
The two other suspects under investigation had also turned up nothing. Not a single usable lead remained.
Ella’s heart sank. Whoever had taken Elias had done so with such precision and thoroughness. Even the boat they used to escape had been hijacked. The owner later revealed that while they were at sea, a helicopter had taken the n and Elias away.
Everything had happened so quickly, yet with such flawless execution. It was a masterful plan, leaving behind no traces.
As for the driver who had ramd Eric’s car, he was still hospitalized. Lucas believed that even if the driver admitted to deliberately causing the crash, he would likely have little valuable information.
The lack of leads ant the search was becoming increasingly difficult, with no clear direction to pursue.
Eric’s face was dark with frustration. After hastily eating a few bites, he joined John and the others to analyze any possible flaws in the case.
Lucas, worried about Ella’s ntal state, stayed by her side and chatted with her about Isabella, trying to lighten her mood.
But the worry in Ella’s eyes never faded. Her resolve, however, was firm as she looked at Lucas. "Dad, don’t worry about . I’m fine... I’ll wait for Elias to co back."
Lucas’s expression dimd, his voice laced with guilt. "Even if I’m the most powerful man in Country W, what’s the use? I couldn’t even protect my grandson."
Ella sighed, her tone tinged with helplessness. "Dad, this isn’t your fault. No one can prevent such accidents—not even the president."
Lucas let out a bitter chuckle, his frustration evident. "If they were still in Country W, we’d have set up an impenetrable net by now. But it’s been over a day and a night, and we still don’t have anything useful."
Ella paused. Elias couldn’t possibly be in Country W. From the context, the perpetrators had ties to an island—likely one of Europe’s many small, privately-owned islands.
It made sense that Lucas’s n couldn’t locate Elias. Should she share this critical piece of information with Lucas and Eric?
No... She couldn’t.
If the information leaked, that man would surely harm Elias. If Elias lost his life because of her, she would never forgive herself.
Sweat dampened Ella’s palms.
Warm and clammy, her hands trembled as she lowered her gaze, concealing the turmoil and hesitation in her eyes.
If she decided to go, the danger would be imnse. But she needed to prepare herself—and to let Eric and Lucas know where she was headed, just in case.
Ella pressed her lips together. She hadn’t touched her laptop in days. Tonight... she would need to make a detailed plan.
Although she would feel guilty for leaving little Dorian behind, how could she stand by and do nothing to save soone in need?
Little Dorian had Eric to rely on, but little Elias... he had no one by his side.
"Mommy! When is big brother coming ho? He’s been playing for so long!" Little Dorian ran over, clutching his new toy—a talking duck. His big, expectant eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Ella hesitated, her heart aching with bitterness. Thinking about her decision made her eyes sting with unshed tears. Leaving Dorian behind wasn’t fair to him, but she had no choice.
"Because your uncle’s place is so much fun, he doesn’t want to leave," Lucas chid in with a smile, quickly pulling little Dorian closer. "Be good, Dorian. Your big brother will be back in a few days, okay?"
Dorian nodded, nibbling on the lollipop Alia had given him, before turning to Ella. "Mommy, why are there so many uncles at our house?"
Ella sniffed, pulling her youngest son into a gentle hug and kissing his forehead. "Dorian, it’s because our ho is peaceful, and the air is so fresh. That’s why they’re here to have etings with Daddy."
Dorian blinked his big, bright eyes and let out an understanding "Oh." Then, brimming with excitent, he continued eating and playing. Lucas stayed by his side, making sure he finished his lollipop before running off to play.
Watching Lucas and Dorian having so much fun together, Ella secretly exhaled a sigh of relief. Perhaps, even in her absence, her little boy wouldn’t feel too sad.
After all, he was still so young and such a foodie. As long as there was good food, he could be easily entertained.
If everything went well, she would return with Elias, and they could resu their happy life together.
"Grandpa, co catch ! Hahaha... Grandpa, you can’t catch !"
"Grandpa’s old and tired. Dorian, slow down and wait for !"
"No way! Grandpa, you’re being sneaky! I know you’re tricking !"
Dorian’s laughter echoed through the air, and then he turned to Ella. "Mommy, co play with too! My duck can walk! Hurry!"
Ella put her phone down. This might be the last ti she could play with her son.
She joined in the ga, and Dorian was thrilled to have his mom by his side. His happiness was infectious.
Ella took countless photos with him, hoping they wouldn’t be their final mories together.
That night, Eric didn’t return to the room until past ten. When he walked in, he found Ella staring blankly at her laptop.
"What’s wrong? Still not asleep?"
Ella snapped out of her daze, a hint of unease flickering across her face. She closed the laptop and gave him a faint smile. "Yeah, I haven’t slept yet."
How could she sleep with so much going on? For the past two nights, both she and Eric had barely closed their eyes, their minds constantly alert.
Eric sat down beside her, the bed dipping slightly under his weight. His cool hand reached for hers, and his gentle expression was tinged with pain.
He leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her tightly pressed lips. "Want to take a bath together?"
Ella shook her head. "I already did. See? I’m in my pajamas."
Eric studied her face, noticing how calm she seed. The anxious worry that once lingered between her brows had completely disappeared.
Reviews
All reviews (0)