Chapter 4

Damien’s Pov

She was gone.

The pregnancy test on the counter stared back at me like an accusation. Positive. Clear as day. And Lena had disappeared with nothing but one bag.

I slammed my hand on the marble. “Marcus! Find her. Now.”

My head of security appeared within minutes, face grim. “We’re already checking cameras, sir. She took a bus. We’ll have the destination soon.”

I paced the living room, anger and something sharper twisting in my chest. She’d heard Raphael’s call. The bastard had been talking about hypothetical clauses, but of course she thought it was real. I hadn’t even processed the pregnancy before she ran.

“Get the lawyers on Noah’s case immediately,” I ordered. “And pull every favor we have. I want her to be found quietly. No press. No alerts to my enemies.”

Marcus hesitated. “You think she’s in danger?”

“Everyone close to me is in danger,” I snapped. “Especially now. If Raphael or any of my competitors find out she’s carrying my heir, they’ll use her against me.”

Three months of small moments replayed in my head, her leaving the light on, asking about my day, the way she looked at me sometimes like she was starting to see past the ice. And now she was carrying my child and believed I would steal it.

I picked up the pregnancy test, staring at the two lines.

“Come back, Lena,” I muttered. “We’ll fix this.”

But by nightfall, every lead went cold. She’d vanished like smoke.

“Any updates?” I asked Marcus the next morning, my voice rough from lack of sleep.

“Nothing solid yet, sir. She’s smart. Paid cash, used back roads probably. We’re expanding the search to three neighboring states.”

I sat at my desk. “This isn’t just about the contract anymore. There’s a child. My child. I need to know they’re safe. Double the team if you have to.”

“Understood. I’ll pull in private investigators who know how to stay invisible. But going public would make this easier.”

“No,” I said sharply. “Absolutely not. My enemies are watching. One leak and Lena becomes a target. Keep it completely off the books.”

“Sir, what about the pregnancy? Should we involve a doctor or specialist in the search team in case she needs medical help?”

I rubbed my face. “Yes. Discreetly. If she’s alone and scared, I don’t want her struggling with doctors’ bills or complications. Find her first, then we help from the shadows if needed. And Marcus, make sure the team understands, no contact until I say so.”

“Got it. I’ll brief them personally.”

Weeks turned into months. I buried myself in work but every quiet moment brought back her face. I called Marcus again late one night.

“Talk to me. Give me something.”

“We had a possible sighting near the state border, sir. Woman matching her description buying prenatal vitamins. But the trail went cold again.”

“Prenatal vitamins,” I repeated, my chest tightening. “She’s really out there alone. Keep pushing. Offer bonuses to anyone who brings real information. I want daily reports from now on.”

“Yes, sir. Also, the lawyers wanted me to ask — should we still proceed with Noah Vale’s appeal?”

“Full speed ahead. Even if she hates me, I’m getting her brother out. Maybe it’ll bring her back.” I paused. “And Marcus… When we find her, I want to be the one to approach. No security team scaring her off.”

“Understood. But if she runs again?”

“Then I’ll chase her again. This isn’t ending like this. I refuse to lose them both.”

“Sir… you sound different. Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine. Just find her.”

One year passed. Then two.

“Still no trace?” I asked Marcus during a late meeting, exhaustion heavy in my voice.

“We’re close on a lead from a coastal area, but it went dark again. She’s using her mother’s maiden name, Morgan. Smart move.”

I poured a drink. “She must hate me, thinks I’m the villain who wanted to take her baby.”

“Maybe she’s protecting the child her own way,” Marcus said carefully. “A mother’s instinct.”

I slammed the glass down. “I never planned any of that custody talk. Raphael set that up somehow. When I find her, I’ll explain everything. I need her to understand it was never real.”

Marcus shifted uncomfortably. “Sir, it’s been two years. Maybe she doesn’t want to be found. Have you considered that she might have built a new life?”

“I have. Every damn day. But that’s my son or daughter out there. I won’t stop.” I looked at him directly. “What would you do if it was your family?”

Marcus stayed quiet for a moment. “I’d burn everything down until I found them. Same as you.”

I nodded. “Then keep burning. And Marcus.. if you ever locate her, you tell me immediately. No delays. No decisions on your own. I mean it.”

“Understood, sir. I won’t keep anything from you again.”

I met with my lead lawyer the following week. “Any progress on Noah Vale?”

“We’re very close, Mr. Laurent. New evidence has surfaced. But are you sure you want to keep funding this quietly?”

“Yes. Keep going. When he’s released, I want to know immediately. Lena needs to see I kept my word, even after she left.”

Five years of searching quietly, always fearing enemies would locate her first. I bought properties near possible sightings just in case. I confronted Raphael in his office one afternoon.

“What the hell did you do?” I demanded. “That phone call, you knew she was listening, didn’t you?”

Raphael smiled coldly. “Just discussing the contract terms, cousin. You should thank me. A child complicates your position.”

“I don’t need your advice. Stay away from anything involving Lena. If I find out you interfered, I’ll destroy you.”

Raphael laughed. “Big words. But go ahead and chase your runaway wife. I have board meetings to attend.”

“Don’t test me, Raphael. If anything happens to her or the child because of you, I won’t just remove you from the board. I’ll make sure you have nothing left. Do you understand me?”

“Perfectly, cousin. Good luck playing hero.”

The resort deal in the coastal town came up suddenly through a broker. I took it, hoping against reason.

The day I stepped out of the car near the café, I saw him. A boy with my eyes.

Everything stopped.