It was a calm afternoon. The sun was bright, the sky clear, and everything in the Hamilton estate felt unusually peaceful.Too peaceful.Ava sat on the balcony with baby Hope nestled in her arms. Her smile was soft, but her eyes were distant, like someone searching through shadows in her mind. Ever since Mrs. Hamilton’s sudden death, the house felt colder, even with sunlight pouring in.Downstairs, Liam was in the study, going through some architectural plans with Jim Hawkins, who now seemed more like a brother than a neighbor.“I really appreciate everything you’ve done, Jim,” Liam said, pouring them both a drink. “You’ve helped this family more than some of the people who’ve worked for us for years.”Jim gave a soft, humble laugh. “You don’t have to thank me. I’m just lucky to be trusted.”That word "trusted" sat in the air like a seed.And it was already beginning to grow.Later That Evening…James walked into the Hamilton mansion, dressed in his usual black suit, files tucked unde
It was a warm Saturday afternoon. The Hamilton mansion was quiet. Birds chirped outside the window, and the smell of fresh roses drifted in from the garden. Mrs. Hamilton sat on the veranda, dressed in a long, cream-colored gown, sipping her favorite tea: green jasmine, lightly sweetened with honey.She turned her gaze toward the horizon. So much had changed in two years, Ava had given birth to another child, Liam had recovered, but their son… still missing.Her heart ached, but she stayed strong. For the family.Just then, her phone buzzed.Unknown Number.She hesitated, then answered. “Hello?”A smooth voice came through. “Good afternoon, ma’am. This is Mr. Hawkins. Jim Hawkins. I recently started working with Warner Architect… thanks to your daughter-in-law.”Mrs. Hamilton smiled softly. “Ah yes, Jim. Ava mentioned you. Polite young man. What can I do for you?”“I hope it’s not too forward,” Jim replied, “but I’ve been working on a concept that I think fits perfectly with your late
Ava sat at the edge of the bed, phone in hand, her thumb hovering over the dial button. She stared out the window, where the sky was slowly turning orange with sunset. For some reason, her heart beat faster than usual.Still, she pressed the button and called.After a few rings, the line picked up.“Hello?” Jim’s voice came through, calm and low.“Hey… it’s Ava,” she said softly.“Oh, hi,” he responded quickly, but politely.“I spoke with my husband, and there’s a job opening at Warner Architect. Just a small role to start with. Kind of like an intern-slash-site-assistant. You’d be helping on real projects, though.”There was a small pause before he replied, “Wow. That’s... that’s amazing. Thank you.”“You’re welcome,” she said, managing a little smile. “You start next Monday. Liam says you should come by the firm at 9 a.m. He’ll personally meet you.”Jim cleared his throat. “I’ll be there. I promise. Really grateful for this, Ava.”“No problem,” she said, though her fingers were slig
The sun was just peeking through the clouds, painting the neighborhood in soft gold. Birds chirped lazily, and the air smelled of wet grass and morning bread from the bakery down the road. Ava adjusted Hope’s cap as she pushed the stroller gently along the sidewalk. Her eyes kept scanning the area ahead, not searching, but restless. Ever since she saw that little boy outside the apartment last week, something had been tugging at her spirit. A quiet nudge… that wouldn’t leave her alone. As she turned the corner, her heart skipped again. There he was. The man. Standing just outside the gate of the apartment building, wearing a simple T-shirt and jeans. His posture was relaxed, but his eyes were alert, watching her. And next to him, holding his hand, was the same little boy. The one with the toy lion. Ava’s footsteps slowed as she neared them. She couldn't help it. Something inside her needed to speak. To ask. The man looked up just in time, offering her a small nod. “
The dusty road to Ebuka village stretched on for hours. The SUV jostled over rough terrain, the tires groaning against loose gravel. Ava sat in the back seat beside Liam, her fingers clenched tightly around the photograph that had shaken her world yet again. She couldn’t look away from it. That small boy holding the lion plush. That plush toy wasn’t ordinary, it was a custom gift from her father, embroidered with her son’s initials: J.A.H. — Jayden Alexander Hamilton. She kept whispering the name in her head like a prayer. Beside her, Liam held Hope gently in his arms. The baby was fast asleep, her little head resting against his chest. James sat in the front seat, talking to the local guide they’d hired to navigate the rough landscape. A convoy of two police vans followed closely behind. They weren’t taking chances. If Noah was there, if there was even the slightest chance, they were going to be ready. As the convoy rolled into the heart of Ebuka, curious faces peered ou
The Hamilton mansion had grown quiet.Not from peace but from heartbreak.It had been two full years since the day Ava’s baby boy was taken from her arms. Two long years of searching, waiting, hoping… and finding nothing.Noah had vanished like smoke.Every road they chased led to a dead end. Every tip turned cold. The trail dried up, and so did the energy in Ava’s spirit.She still had nightmares. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw that hooded figure… the silent exchange of her son… and those big innocent eyes staring back at her before disappearing forever.Even after hundreds of missing child reports, private detectives, bounty offers, and special investigation teams, there was no trace.Not even a whisper.Ava stood by the balcony of her room one rainy evening, now heavily pregnant again. Her hand rested on her swollen belly. The baby inside moved gently, as if reminding her that life still existed… even if it wasn’t the one she lost.Liam entered the room, a soft towel aroun