เข้าสู่ระบบRowland’s POVI walked straight to the investigator's office without knocking. She looked up from the file on her desk, a surprised expression on her face before she quickly masked it. “Mr Brooke’s…” “Have you found him?” She blinked. “We are still following several…”“No!” I shook my head. "Don't give me that.” She leaned back. Her expression was stern now. “I saw him yesterday.”Silence. “I saw the man you’ve been telling me you’re trying to find.” I planted both palms on her desk and leaned forward. “He was so close; not even a single thread of fear was in him.”She remained calm. Which pissed me off even more. “And then?” she asked.“And then he disappeared.” I laughed once, a dry chuckle."He vanished," I said, with the snap of my finger, "into thin air, Inspector." My jaw tightened. “So explain something to me.”She waited.“How does a man who’s supposedly being investigated simply disappear“We’re doing everything within our—”“Everything?” I cut in.I could feel ever
Selene’s POV. I watched Rowland’s car glide out from my patio. I blew him an air kiss just before he wound up fully, and he pretended to catch it and place it over his chest. I giggled. I shut the door behind me and scrambled for the card. I relaxed into the sofa and threw my head back. I'm slightly hopeful that I might learn something tangible and this entire search could be over. I dialed in the number. It rang for a few minutes but no one answered. I dialed again. A voice came through in the fifth ring. Low, masculine, and tired. “Hello.” “Good morning, Mr. Frank Thomas.” “Good morning. Who is this?” “I am Selene. Calling relating to my friend Sophie.” Silence. “What about her?” “I was told you and Sophie were seeing each other.” I breathed, waiting for that to sink in first. “I haven't heard from her in a while now, and I decided to reach out to you. You might know her whereabouts.” “What?” He exclaimed, sounding genuinely surpri
Selene’s POV. I stood by the window of my living room. Gazing out at the dark sky. Amira’s teddy in one hand and a glass of water in the other. The teddy still smelled like her. So soft and fluffy. I lowered my nose to it and took in a whiff. My baby. A chill ran down my body. I haven't really been feeling myself lately. My body just seems weak. I haven't felt this way in like forever. I moved towards the center table and carefully placed the glass cup down. I hadn’t stopped trying Sophie’s line. I was hoping for something. A miracle maybe. I reached for the card the woman from earlier gave me. The boss's name across the card read, "Frank Thomas." I flipped it over; it was so unlike Sophie to keep something like this from me. Why didn’t she tell me about him? I hugged the Teddy closer to my chest. I would call him tonight. My head snapped at the screeching sound from outside. From the little opening in the curtain I could see Rowland’s car. “What is he doing here and why s
Rowland’s POV. My brow arched as I leaned on the chair. Elena barely wants to have conversations, except when it is work. This didn’t sound like work. "Carry on.” She cleared her throat, then slid a small file towards me. “This is my resignation letter, sir." For a second I simply stared at it.Then I looked back at her.My mouth hung open.“What?”A nervous laugh escaped her.“I knew that would be your reaction.”“You’re joking.”“I’m not.”I picked up the letter and skimmed through the first few lines before dropping it back onto the desk.“Elena, you’ve worked here for years.”“I know.”“You’re one of the best people I have.”“I know that too.”“Then why?”She looked down at her hands.“I have come to realize my place isn’t here.” She shook her head. “I don’t want to spend the rest of my life chasing what’s clearly not mine.” I rubbed my chin slowly. Observing her. She looked different. Like she was so sure of this moment. Like she had practiced time and time again. “Is it bec
Selene’s POV. “What? Are you sure about this?” “Yes, ma'am. Right here in New Orleans.” "How…is…that…possible?" My words came out uneven. Then I remembered the stack of clothes. I won’t mention it. Not yet. "Well, it’s possible she’s around somewhere.” The officer said. “Three transactions in the last forty-eight hours."Silence. “A grocery store.”“A pharmacy.”“And a toy store.”My fingers shook slightly. Nora’s eyes locked on me from across the room, and I flashed a smile. “Maam? Might you know where she might be?” “Do…do you think she’s with Tom?” I asked. “Are you saying your ex-husband is likely to do something of the sort?" I leant back in my seat, my mind racing. “I really don’t know, officer. I really don’t.” “We are actively looking for them both, ma'am," he began. But if you have any information that might help. That could speed up the process.” I thought about the scattered clothes and Amira’s stuffed teddy. “No, I don’t, sir." “Very well, ma'am. We would be i
Selene’s POV. I froze instantly. My heart made a little flip in my chest. My arms wrapped instinctively around me. Something wasn’t right. Then my eyes landed on the bathroom door slightly ajar. I could have sworn this entire place was tidy before I left. A shiver ran up my spine. Yet again, was it really? I took slow steps forward and reached for the door. The creaking sound from its hinges while I closed it was louder than it should be in the lonely house. I would take care of this mess later. I turned to leave. Then I noticed it. The stuffed rabbit. Amira’s stuffed rabbit. Lying just there, over the pillow. I gasped. The air from my lungs was knocked out. I closed my eyes shut for a minute, a silent prayer on my lips as I slowly opened them up again. It was still there. This shouldn’t be here. I packed all these away after the funeral. It’s been months. My hands trembled as I took the stuffed rabbit in my palms. Giving it a little squeeze. It looked too n
Selene’s POVI woke up sometime around midnight. The house was extremely quiet.My mouth felt dry, and I needed water.I swung my leg over the bed and slipped my feet into flip-flops.I checked my phone for Sophie’s message, but still nothing.“I hope she's okay. Her phone’s always on.”I exhaled,
Selene’s POVI had never been more relieved to see Rowland in my entire life.The tightness in my chest eased when I looked up and he was standing by my window.I hated it. I hated how comfort came easily with him. Even after all these years.I glanced at him. He had on a suit like he was coming fr
Rowland’s POVI was on my way to Elena’s to pick her up for the date. I glanced at my watch for the hundredth time. I was this close to canceling.This close.Selene’s call earlier today had been surprising. I had expected her to be happy. I mean, I was only trying to help. But she seemed more piss
I walked to the car, my heels stomping angrily with each step.I tilted my head backwards on the bedrest immediately after I shut the door.Once inside, I shut the door and leaned back against the headrest, staring up at the roof.Lyric Press.The thought alone sent a sharp pulse of excitement thro







