I walked into the mansion with the slam of the front door echoing through the entire hall.
I stopped for a second, confused. Noise hit first—laughter, sothing like cheering. The kind that fills the entire living room, then Caleb’s voice ca;
"Leo, that doesn’t count! You skipped two blocks!"
Leo was laughing. A whole damn family ga night happening while Fiona was— I pushed the thought away before I exploded.
I stord toward the living room.They were all there — sitting on the carpet like so picture-perfect family mont. Board gas spread out, snacks was everywhere and Leo was in the middle laughing with his uncle.
Natasha right beside him, smiling, acting like she was Mother of the Year.
She looked up and the smiled. "Nathan...? You’re ho early."
"Where is she?" I asked, voice flat.
Dad lowered his glasses. Mum sat up straighter.. "Where is who, sweetheart?" Mom asked.
"Fiona."
Everyone went silent. Leo looked up, small smile fading into confusion. "Daddy? She’s not with you?"
The pressure in my chest doubled. I forced my voice not to shake. "No, Leo. She’s not. She disappeared."
Mom gasped, her hand covering her mouth. Leo’s face crumpled with worry.
Natasha...? She didn’t look shocked enough. She looked confused, sure, but not enough. I walked closer, eyes on her like a laser.
"Where Is. She.!" I snapped
Caleb stood before she even replied. "Nathan, calm down. What’s going on?"
"Don’t tell to calm down," I snapped at him. "She was kidnapped."
Everyone gasped. Leo made a small frightened sound and moved closer to mom.
Natasha shook her head, frowning. "Taken? What do you an taken? By who?"
Her voice dipped a little on the last word. Like she knew sothing. Or maybe I wanted her to. I stepped closer not caring.
"Where were you all evening?" I asked.
Dad cleared his throat. "She was here. They all were—we were playing gas for hours."
Caleb nodded reluctantly. "As much as I would never support Natasha, but she didn’t leave the house, Nate."
Leo tugged at Mum’s sleeve. "Daddy’s angry."
Mum hushed him softly.
Natasha gave a triumphant smirk. "See? Your entire family can testify I was right here. Maybe instead of blaming people, focus on your missing girlfriend
I stared at them, one after the other. Mom was barely holding herself together. Caleb looked ready to fight whoever I pointed at and Dad looked confused but trying to stay logical.
And Natasha...she looked offended.
"I hope you’re not implying I had sothing to do with this," she said quietly, voice rising just a bit.
"I’m not implying anything," I said. "I’m asking where you were."
"And I already answered," she snapped. "Ask Leo! I was literally here all evening."
Everyone looked at Leo automatically.
The little boy blinked nervously under the pressure. "She was here, Daddy... she played with . She beat Uncle Caleb at the car race."
Leo’s voice broke slightly, his eyes were getting glossy.
I inhaled sharply and forced myself not to yell. Not in front of Leo at least.
Natasha, sensing the shift in , stood up and crossed her arms like she had the moral high ground.
"How could you even think I’d do sothing like that?" she said, shaking her head. "Is that how badly you think of ?Do you think I’m a monster?"
Caleb muttered under his breath, "obviously."
She whipped her head toward him. "What?"
"Nathan has every right to suspect whoever he wants. Fiona is missing. And you’ve hated her since day one."
Natasha scoffed loudly. "I hate her? For what? For dating him? I don’t care who Nathan—"
"You do actually, It’s quite obvious," Caleb cut her off.
That shut her up.Leo suddenly climbed onto the couch, worry taking over his whole face.
"Daddy... is Fiona in trouble?"
My heart twisted painfully. Trying so hard not to break. "I don’t know. But I’ll find her. Okay?"
He nodded slowly, but tears were gathering. Mom pulled him close imdiately. "Co here, sweetheart." Leo clung to her shirt.
Natasha’s voice ca again, irritating . "Nathan, use your head. If all of us were here, including — then clearly soone else took her. Why jump to ?"
"Because you hate her," Caleb said again.
"Shut up, Caleb!" She snapped.
"MAKE ."
"ENOUGH!" Dad yelled.
Everyone went silent, he stood, serious for once.
"Nathan," he said firmly, "None of us clearly knows anything. All of us have been here. If Fiona is missing, we need to organize a search, not point fingers at each other."
He was right, I knew he was right. But the anger wasn’t listening. My fear wasn’t listening.
The image of Fiona tied sowhere, blindfolded, shaking, calling for —My hands balled into fists till they hurt.
Caleb stepped closer to . "Look at . We’ll find her. Whatever you need, I’m in."
I nodded once. "Okay," I said, voice low. "I’m getting security footage from around the area. Alex is tracking the car through street caras. I’m interrogating the driver’s family next."
Anne gasped again. "Nathan—"
"He’s not dead," I cut her off. "Not yet. But he’s involved. Willingly or not."
Natasha whispered, "God..."
I couldn’t look at her. If I looked at her right now, I might say sothing unforgivable.
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to focus.
"Caleb," I said. "Get the security team. Every guard. Every driver on duty today."
He nodded and moved. I stared at my dark phone screen—at Fiona’s na highlighted in white.
"Where are you?" I whispered.
And for the first ti that night, I felt fear settle under my skin like ice, but then Leo’s small voice stopped .
"Daddy?"
I paused.
"Bring her ho," he whispered, his eyes wet. "Please."
I swallowed hard.
"I will," I said quietly. "I promise."
Leo nodded and buried his face in mom’s shoulder.
I walked out of the room instantly. I couldn’t even protect her! What kind of man was I? Soone who couldn’t protect the one he loved? I was right there and she was taken right under my nose. I was fucking useless!
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