Alexander POV
The moment I stepped into the hotel room, the sound of my children’s cries hit me like a punch in the gut. Their voices, normally full of hie and energy were now cracked with fear and confusion. My chest tightened as I made my way toward the living room, where they huddled together with the nanny.
The second they saw me, they ran to me, both of them clinging to my legs as if they were holding on for dear life. Ethan’s Eace was red from crying his small fists gripping my trousers, while Emma’s tear–streaked face buried itself into my waist. Their sobs filled the room, raw and heartbreaking
“Daddy where’s Mommy Emma’s voice was muffled against me, trembling with fear.
1 Aneh down gently taking both of them into my arms. Their little bodies shook with each sob, and it took everything in me not to break down too. But I had to be strong for them. For Christiana.
Tm doing everything I can to bring her back, I said softly, brushing the hair from Emma’s face and wiping away Ethan’s tears with my thumb “Mommy’s going to come back to us, I promise.”
Ethan snuffled, looking up at me with wide, terrified eyes. “But what if she doesn’t? What if they hurt her?”
The question hit me like a blade, sharp and painful, but I kept my voice steady. “No one’s going to hurt her. Ethan. I won’t let that happen” I pulled them closer, hugging them tightly, feeling the weight of their fear pressing against me. I’m not going anywhere until I bring her back to you both, safe and sound. I’m going to stay right here with you.”
Em looked up at me, her lip trembling, her small hand clutching at my shirt. “You won’t leave us too, Daddy?”
I kissed the top of her head, then Ethan’s “Never. I’m not leaving your side. We’re going to get through this together. I’m going to make sure Mommy comes home”
They quieted down a little, though I could still feel their fear. Their bodies were still tense, but I could see the small flicker of hope in their eyes. I held them like that for what felt like forever, just the three of us, huddled together in the living room.
“I love you both more than anything” I whispered, stroking Emma’s hair and squeezing Ethan’s shoulder. “And I’m going to protect you. I’m going to protect Mommy too.”
Ethan wiped his eyes, his voice still shaky but softer. “You promise!”
1 swear” I said, my voice firm, looking into his eyes. “I’m doing everything to bring her back.”
They nodded, both of them still holding onto me, but I could feel the slightest bit of calm settling in. For now, that was enough. I’d be here, right beside them, until the nightmare was over.
I kissed their foreheads again, my heart breaking at how fragile they were, how much they needed me. I’d never felt more
termined. Christiana would come home. She had to. For them, for me, for all of us.
Erhan clung to me, his small body still trembling as I stroked his back. Emma nestled closer, her arms wrapped tightly around my neck. I could feel their little hearts racing against me, their breath shaky and uneven. Seeing them like this, so scared and helpless, broke something deep inside of me. But I couldn’t let them see that. They needed me to be strong.
leaned back tightly, cupping Emma’s tear–streaked face in my hand, wiping the smudges from her cheeks. “Hey, listen to
said softly, trying to keep my voice calm and reassuring. “Tm going to bring her back. I don’t care what it takes. I’ll move heaven and earth if I have to, but your mom is coming back home. Do you believe me?”
umuma instilled looking up at me with wide watery eyes. She nodded, but I could see the doubt lingering in the corners of ber expression. She was so young but smart enough to understand that bad things were happening.
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Chapter 82
these people knew what they were doing. For now
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rp. “But if I don’t hear back from you within the hour, I’m going to make sure
“Fine,” I said, my voice quieter but still sharp. someone else handles it.”
The detective nodded, recognizing the threat behind my words. We’ll keep you updated.”
I turned on my heel and stormed out of the station, pulling my phone from my pocket as I walked. I pressed speed dial and waited for James to pick up.
“Sir,” came James‘ voice on the other end.
“James,” I said, barely containing the fury in my voice, “Christiana’s been kidnapped. I need you to start digging, contacts, private investigators, whoever you can find. Pull every favor we have.”
There was a pause, then, “Understood, sir. 171 get on it right away:
“Call me the second you find anything.” I added, my voice clipped. “I don’t care how small it is.”
“Yes, sir.” James replied, his voice steady, but I could tell he was rattled.
I hung up and clenched my fists, standing in the middle of the parking lot, the cold night air doing nothing to quell the fire burning inside me.
I couldn’t believe this was happening. Christiana. My Christiana. Taken from under my nose. The thought of her scared, alone, terrified, it made my blood boil.
This wasn’t just about business. It wasn’t just about power. This was personal, and whoever did this was going to pay. I didn’t care how many people I had to take down to get her back.
I turned back toward my car, my mind already calculating the next move. I had resources, and I wasn’t afraid to use them. The police might take their time, but I wouldn’t.
“Hold on, Christiana,” I muttered under my breath, eyes narrowing with determination. “I’m coming for you.”
Chapter 83
Alexander POV
The moment I stepped into the hotel room, the sound of my children’s cries hit me like a punch in the gut. Their voices, normally full of life and energy, were now cracked with fear and confusion. My chest tightened as I made my way toward the living room, where they huddled together with the nanny.
The second they saw me, they ran to me, both of them clinging to my legs as if they were holding on for dear life. Ethan’s face was red from crying, his small lists gripping my trousers, while Emma’s tear–streaked face buried itself into my waist. Their sobs filled the room, raw and heartbreaking.
“Daddy.. where’s Mommy?” Emma’s voice was muttled against me, trembling with fear.
I knelt down, gently taking both of them into my arms. Their little bodies shook with each sob, and it took everything in me not to break down too. But I had to be strong for them. For Christiana,
“I’m doing everything I can to bring her back” I said softly, brushing the hair from Emma’s face and wiping away Ethan’s tears with my thumb. “Mommy’s going to come back to us, I promise.
Ethan sniffled, looking up at me with wide, terrified eyes. “But… what if she doesn’t? What if they hurt her?)
The question hit me like a blade, sharp and painful, but I kept my voice steady. “No one’s going to hurt her. Ethan. I won’t let that happen.” I pulled them closer, hugging them tightly, feeling the weight of their fear pressing against me. Tm not going anywhere until I bring her back to you both, safe and sound. I’m going to stay right here with you.”
Emma looked up at me, her lip trembling, her small hand clutching at my shirt. “You won’t leave us too, Daddy?”
I kissed the top of her head, then Ethan’s. “Never. I’m not leaving your side. We’re going to get through this together. I’m going to make sure Mommy comes home.”
They quieted down a little, though I could still feel their fear. Their bodies were still tense, but I could see the small flicker of hope in their eyes. I held them like that for what felt like forever just the three of us, huddled together in the living room.
“I love you both more than anything.” I whispered, stroking Emma’s hair and squeezing Ethan’s shoulder. “And I’m going to protect you. I’m going to protect Mommy too.”
Ethan wiped his eyes, his voice still shaky but softer. “You promise?”
“I swear,” I said, my voice firm, looking into his eyes. “I’m doing everything to bring her back.”
They nodded, both of them still holding onto me, but I could feel the slightest bit of calm settling in. For now, that was enough. I’d be here, right beside them, until the nightmare was over.
I kissed their foreheads again, my heart breaking at how fragile they were, how much they needed me. I’d never felt more determined. Christiana would come home. She had to. For them, for me, for all of us.
around
Ethan clung to me, his small body still trembling as I stroked his back. Emma nestled closer, her arms wrapped tightly
my neck. I could feel their little hearts racing against me their breath shaky and uneven. Seeing them like this, so scared and helpless, broke something deep inside of me. But I couldn’t let them see that. They needed me to be strong.
unshaken
Hleaned back slightly, cupping Emma’s tear–streaked face in my band, wiping the smudges from her cheeks. “Hey, listen to me,” I said softly, trying to keep my voice calm and reassuring. Tim going to bring her back. I don’t care what it takes. I’ll
ove heaven and earth if I have to, but your mom is coming back home. Do you believe me?”
Emma sniffled, looking up at me with wide, watery eyes. She nodded, but I could see the doubt lingering in the corners of her expression. She was so young, but smart enough to understand that bad things were happening.
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“What if the bad men… what if they don’t let her come home?” Her voice was so small, barely a whisper, but the fear behind
it was enormous.
I knelt down lower, bringing myself to eye level with both of them, my hands resting on their tiny shoulders. “Il find her. Eruma. I promise you.” My voice was firmer now, the weight of that promise hanging heavy between us. “Those bad men…. they don’t know who they’re messing with. I’m going to do everything in my power to get your mom back. And when I do. we’ll all be together again.”
Ethan looked at me, his lip quivering, the strength he was trying to muster up faltering as he spoke. “You’re not going to leave us, right?”
I pulled him into my arms again, holding him tightly. “No, buddy. I’m not leaving you. I’m here, okay? I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be right here until your mom is back with us
Emma tucked her head under my chin, her grip tightening around my neck. “I’m scared, Daddy.”
“I know, sweetheart,” I whispered, pressing a kiss to her head. “I know. But you’re safe. You’re both safe. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Their tears started to slow, and I could feel the weight of exhaustion beginning to pull at them. The panic was still there, but it was easing, just a little, knowing I was there with them, holding them. I ran my hands through Ethan’s messy hair, feeling him lean into me, seeking that reassurance.
“We’re going to be okay. I said again, more for myself than them this time. I needed to believe it too. “We’re going to get through this.”
Ethan’s arms loosened slightly, and he looked up at me with big, tired eyes. “Do you think Mommy’s scared too?”
The question hit me harder than I expected. I swallowed the lump in my throat, my hand stilling for a moment before I forced myself to respond. “Your mom is strong. She’s one of the strongest people I know. And right now, she’s thinking about you. About coming home to you both.”
Emma sniffled again, her voice softer this time. “Can we wait for her together?”
I nodded, hugging them both tightly. “We’ll wait together. I’m not leaving your side until she’s back. I swear it.”
Their small bodies slowly started to relax against mine, the fear still there, but the comfort of my presence enough to calm them, at least for now. I held them close, kissing their foreheads, feeling the immense pressure of being the only thing standing between them and the world’s chaos.
But I would hold that weight. I’d protect them, shield them, and bring Christiana back. No matter what.
I couldn’t afford to fail. Not for them. Not for her.
