Aiden was beside himself with worry, pacing up and down his office, his mind racing with thoughts of Silvana. The house was abuzz with activity as he mobilized every resource and contact he could think of to find her. He dialled the number of his closest friend and confidant, Jace, who picked up on the second ring. "Jace, it's Aiden. I need your help. My fiancée’s been kidnapped," Aiden said, his voice tight with tension. "What? When did this happen? How can I help?" Jace responded, his voice laced with concern. "Yesterday evening. She was at the orphanage teaching the kids. Her car was found with flat tires, and she never made it home. I've got my private investigator on it, but we need more eyes and ears. Can you reach out to your contacts in the city and see if anyone has heard anything?" "Absolutely. I'll start making calls right away. Hang in there, Aiden. We'll find her." Aiden ended the call and immediately dialled another number, this time for his chief of security. "Mr.
"Thank you, you have been of great help." Greg handed the pay for his coffee, "you can keep the change," and walked out of the coffee shop grateful that he came back to check again. Greg headed back to where Silvana’s car was parked outside the orphanage and inspected the car again, noting the three flat tires. "This wasn't an accident," he muttered to himself. "Someone did this on purpose." Greg took out his phone, dialling Aiden’s number to report his findings from the coffee shop. Aiden answered almost immediately, his voice a mix of hope and tension. “Greg, any news?” “I spoke to the coffee shop owner near the orphanage. He mentioned a man who spent most of the day there, sitting by the window and watching through binoculars. He described him as mid-thirties, average build, with a scruffy beard and always wearing a scarf and head warmer. Do you know anyone like that?” Greg explained. Aiden sighed heavily. “No, I don’t know anyone who fits that description.” Greg paused for
Zia sat on her bed, clutching her favorite stuffed bear, Charlie, as she stared at the empty chair by her bedside. Silvana had always been there to read her bedtime stories, her soothing voice weaving magical tales that carried Zia into a world of dreams. But for the past several nights, Silvana had been conspicuously absent. "Daddy," Zia called out as she heard footsteps approaching her room. Aiden opened the door and stepped inside, forcing a smile despite the fatigue etched on his face. "Yes, sweetheart?" "Where's Mommy Silvana?" Zia asked, her wide eyes filled with concern. "She hasn't been here to read me my bedtime stories." Aiden sighed, kneeling beside Zia's bed. "Silvana had to go away for a little while, Zia. But she will be back soon, I promise. There's nothing to worry about." Zia frowned, unconvinced by her father's words. "But why did she have to go? Where did she go?" Aiden hesitated, searching for the right words. "It's a little complicated, honey. But she’ll be
Lorenzo looked concerned. "What did she say?" "She asked a lot of questions. I had to tell her that Silvana is missing. She’s scared and worried," Aiden said, his voice heavy with guilt. "In a bid to calm her down, I didn't know when I spilled it but I told her she will be having a younger sibling too and immediately, her eyes lit up with excitement." "Oh! I guess she would have been excited to know. You do not need to blame yourself for it, she would still have had to know anyways." "But then she asked about her new sibling and suggested we bring Amelia here for safety, so that her baby sibling does not also go missing." Lorenzo raised an eyebrow. "Did she now? That’s quite insightful for her age." "Yes," Aiden nodded. "I was thinking, maybe we could bring Amelia to stay in the guest quarters until she gives birth. It might not be a bad idea." Lorenzo frowned, considering the proposal. "That’s a difficult thing to ask. The Reyes family might see it as an opportunity to take a
Mrs. Reyes nodded in agreement. "We're doing what's right for the family, Amelia. Just remember that." Amelia nodded, trying to reassure herself as much as her parents. She stood up and walked to the living room to make the call, her heart pounding in her chest. She dialed Aiden's number, taking a deep breath as she waited for him to answer. Aiden's voice came through the phone, sounding tired but alert. "Amelia, did you speak with your parents?" "Yes, I did," Amelia replied, trying to keep her voice steady. "They have a condition for me staying at the palace." "What is it?" Aiden asked, a hint of impatience in his tone. Amelia took another deep breath. "They want you to invest fifty million dollars into our family's business in the baby's name. They said it's to make up for my absence in running the company for that long." There was a long pause on the other end of the line. When Aiden finally spoke, his voice was tight with shock and frustration. "Fifty million dollars? That's
Lorenzo stood up, placing a reassuring hand on Aiden's shoulder. "We'll get through this, Aiden. Just stay strong and focused. We'll find Silvana and keep your child safe." Aiden nodded, feeling a renewed sense of determination. "I will, Grandfather. Thank you." Aiden took a deep breath and dialed Amelia's number. He waited as the phone rang, mentally preparing himself for the conversation. When Amelia answered, he could hear the apprehension in her voice. "Aiden, did you talk to your grandfather?" she asked. "Yes, I did," Aiden replied, his tone steady. "We discussed your family's demand for fifty million dollars. We can not make such huge investment for a child that's mine, it seems as though your family wants to sell off the child who's mine to me, except that is what you want, and you know that once you put to birth, you'll never see the child again." "Of course not, why would you say such a thing? Of course I want to see and be with my child after her or she is born." Amelia
Mrs. Reyes looked at her daughter, her expression softening. "Amelia, this is an opportunity for all of us. We need to make sure that we're protected, but it's also important to think about the future of your child." Alex stood up, pacing the room in agitation. "They want to put us in a corner, make us adhere to their rules while giving us crumbs. This is a disgrace." Ruby put a hand on her husband's arm, trying to calm him. "Alex, we need to think this through. We can't let our anger cloud our judgment." Alex stopped pacing and looked at Amelia. "You need to call Aiden back. Tell him we won't accept twenty million. We need to negotiate for more." Amelia shook her head. "Father, they’ve made it clear that this is their final offer. We need to decide if we're willing to accept it or risk getting nothing." Ruby sighed heavily. "We can't afford to walk away with nothing. As much as I hate to admit it, we might have to take the twenty million." Alex clenched his fists, struggling wi
“Is this really the best course of action?” Amelia asked, her voice wavering slightly. She looked at her mother, Ruby, hoping for reassurance.Ruby leaned forward, placing a comforting hand on her daughter’s. “Amelia, we’ve discussed this. We need this investment. This is for your future, for the baby’s future. Once we sign these documents, there’s no turning back.”Amelia took a deep breath, picking up the pen. She glanced at her father, who gave her an encouraging nod. Resolutely, she signed her name, feeling a strange mix of dread and resolve.After signing, she looked up at her parents. “What happens if the Romanovs find out the baby isn’t Aiden’s and demand a refund?”Ruby’s face hardened. “Amelia, you worry too much. No one will find out, except for the three of us. And you know the consequences if you ever tell anyone else. Do you want to make this family poor for life? Do you want to spend the rest of your life behind bars?”Amelia shuddered at the thought, shrugging her shoul