Elena’s POV“Leo? Baby, time to wake up.”My voice sounds wrong in the quiet room, too loud, too hopeful. I push open the rocket-ship door expecting curls and sleepy dinosaur growls. The bed is empty, Blankets kicked to the foot. T-Rex sitting in the middle of the pillow, red ribbon tied in a perfect bow around his neck like a gift. My heart stops.“LEO!”I’m running, bare feet slapping marble, ripping doors open, closet, bathroom, playroom. Nothing.Julian meets me in the hallway, hair wild, gun already in his hand. “What is it?”“He’s gone,” I choke . “He’s gone, Julian , he’s....”He’s past me in a heartbeat, into Leo’s room, ripping sheets off the bed, checking under it, behind the curtains . I follow, legs shaking so hard I fall. On the mirror above the dresser, written in perfect red lipstick:Tick tock, mija. Bring the patent files to the old Alvarez estate by sunset or he takes his last nap. Kisses, MomI scream his name again, raw and broken. Julian catches me before
Last Updated : 2025-12-13 Read more