Chapter 26

ISABELLA’S POV

Receiving a message from the property agent around 10 am, regarding the commercial space I have been considering for my startup’s first small office is suddenly available for a final site visit today just made my day but also put me in a dilemma. Because if I want to secure it, I need to see it before the end of the day.

I  match into the living room where Ethan is with the twins. 

 

I need to go out for a few hours, there’s a site visit for an office space I am looking to get. I shouldn’t be gone for more than three hours.”

 

He looks up. “All right.”

 

I crouch down to the children’s level. “Mommy has to go look at a place for work. You’re going to stay with Ethan. Be good all right.”

 

Liam nods seriously. “We can show him all of our toys.”

 

Lila reaches for a quick hug, then returns to her play toy. I give Ethan a short list of reminders from their snack times, to the show they are allowed to watch, and the fact that Lila still needs her bear within sight. Unsuprisingly he listens to me without interruption.

 

“I’ll call if anything changes,” I say.

 

“We’ll be fine.”

 

I leave with my bag and the uneasy feeling that comes from handing over control, even if it is temporarily.

 

The site visit goes well. The space is the right size, with good light and reasonable lease terms. I spend longer than expected discussing layout options with the agent. By the time I head back, a little over three hours have passed.

 

 

ETHAN’S POV

 

 

The first hour after Isabella leaves is manageable. Liam appoints me as the official car-parking assistant. Lila eventually accepts my help in building a block tower, though she insists on placing the final piece herself. When they grow restless, Liam asks if we can go outside.

 

“There’s a playground near the building,” he says with the confidence like he has already investigated it. “Mommy promise to takes us sometime.”

 

I hesitate for a moment. The courtyard playground is secure and visible from several angles and the children are already getting restless. A short time outside will not hurt. I send Isabella a brief message telling her we are going down to the playground, before gathering the children’s shoes and jackets.

 

The playground occupies them completely leaving me free. Liam tests every structure for “stability.” While Lila claims a small swing and demands to be pushed. For a while the afternoon feels almost normal.

 

Then my phone rings. The number belonging to the site manager of one of my active development projects.

 

“There’s been an accident sir although there is no fatalities, but two workers are injured and the safety inspector is already on site. We need you here sir.”

 

I glance at the children.

 

“Can it wait an hour?”

 

“The inspector is asking for the principal contractor. If we don’t handle this cleanly, they’ll shut the whole section down.”

 

I quickly make some calculation. Isabella is not back yet. There is no nanny on call. Leaving the children with building staff is not an option I am willing to consider. The responsible choice is to wait, but the business choice is to go immediately.

 

I make the wrong decision for the right reasons.

 

“I’ll be there in twenty minutes,” I tell the site manager. “I’m bringing two small children. Have someone clear a safe office space.”

 

I end the call and crouch in front of Liam and Lila. “We need to go for a short ride. You’ll stay with me the whole time.”

 

Liam looks interested. “In the big car?”

 

“Yes.”

 

I buckle them into the seats myself. As I pull out of the garage, I glance at my phone. The message I sent Isabella about the playground is still unanswered. She must be busy. I drop the phone into the cup holder and focus on the road. I will explain when we get back or if possible get back before her.

 

 

ISABELLA’S POV

 

 

The penthouse is quiet when I return...too quiet.

 

“Hello?” I call out.

 

But there is no answer. I walk through the living room, to the kitchen, and then to the guest room. That is when I notice their shoes are gone. The bear is also gone, and Liam’s truck is gone too. Immediately a cold sensation spreads under my ribs.

 

I check my phone and there is one message from Ethan, sent over an hour ago: *Taking them to the courtyard playground for a bit.*

 

I call him. But the call is not connecting properly, so my calls goes to voicemail. I call again and got the same result. I send a message to him but there is no reply.

 

The cold sensation all over my body suddenly turns sharper. I stand in the middle of the living room and force myself to think. He would not simply leave. He knows how carefully I guard them. And yet the apartment is empty, and he is not answering his call.

 

I call Sofia first., telling my predicament, but she has not heard from him. Next I call the number I have for his assistant and she answers on the second ring.

 

“Ms. Crane? Mr. Sinclair was called to the east development site. There was an incident. He should be back within the hour.”

 

“Were the children with him?”

 

She pause. “I believe so. He mentioned he had them.”

 

I end the call before she can say more. My hands are not steady. I dial Julian next. He answers with his usual easy tone until he hears my voice.

 

“He took them to a construction site meeting without telling me,” I say. “And he’s not answering his phone. Is this how your 'level-headed friend does thing?”

 

Julian is quiet for a moment. “That sounds like him when something goes wrong on a site. I’ll try to reach him. They’re probably fine.”

 

“Probably” is not enough. I pace the length of the windows, with phone clutched in my hand, every worst-case scenario playing in my head at once. The longer the silence continues, the more my fear hardens into anger.

 

 

ETHAN’S POV

 

 

The meeting is tense and efficient. I keep the children in a clean site office with a glass wall so I can see them while I speak with the inspector and the safety team. Liam watches the adults with serious interest while Lila sits on a chair with her bear, before she eventually falls asleep against the armrest. The injured workers are already at the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The inspector is satisfied once the immediate corrections are ordered.

 

By the time we leave, both children are asleep in their seats. I drive back carefully, aware that I have crossed a line. Even looking at my phone it has multiple missed calls from Isabella and two from Julian. I decide not to return any of the call yet. It is better I explain in person.

 

Getting home, I carry the children into the penthouse, one in each arm, only to come to face with Isabella standing in the living room. Her face is pale and set, but she doesn't speak until I have laid the twins side by side on the guest bed and closed the door most of the way.