Chapter 204 The last of my problems
>>Ariel
“What do you mean she’s not missing,” I stood in the police station, “I’m telling you she’s missing!” I was frustrated. I had filed a missing person report for Eris and I came to get an update because I wasn’t being contacted.
I stood in the main room at the police station, my hands trembling as I clutched my daughter’s photograph. The officer across from me, Officer Jenkins, had a weary look in his eyes.
“Miss Ariel, I understand you’re upset,” He tried to reason with me.
“Upset?!” My voice cracked, a mix of frustration and desperation. “My daughter is missing, Officer. She’s only five! I haven’t seen her in days. Please, you have to help me find her!”
Officer Jenkins sighed, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. “Ma’am, we’ve checked the records and spoken with several people. Your daughter is not missing.”
“Then where is she?!?!” I yelled, “Because she’s not with me,”
He looked at the computer screen, “She’s living with her sister.”
My eyes widened, disbelief washing over me. “No, that can’t be right. She lives with me. Her sister... This is some kind of mistake. Please, you have to listen to me.”
Jenkins opened a file in front of him, glancing down at the documents before looking back at me. “According to what we have, Eris willingly left your side and went to live with her sister.”
I shook my head vigorously, tears brimming in my eyes. “No, no, that’s not true. I didn’t hear anything about this. This is a horrible mistake. I would never let her go without knowing. You have to believe me! Why would my daughter leave me?!”
The officer’s face softened with sympathy, but he remained firm. “Ma’am, the reports are clear. Your daughter is safe and with her sister. Seraphina confirmed it.” He paused for a moment, “Moreover, in your situation, it’s better if a little kid isn’t with you.”
My hands gripped the edge of the table, knuckles white. “My situation? What is that supposed to mean?”
Officer Jenkins paused, choosing his words carefully. “Someone mentioned that you’ve been having a tough time lately.”
“What?” I was confused, “Who mentioned what?”
“You have a drinking problem,” He stated
“What?” My mind raced, trying to piece together the confusion. “No,” I shook my head
Jenkins leaned forward, his voice softening. “Let’s get your alcohol level checked right now.” He grabbed a device from his desk and approached me, “Open your mouth please,”
“Wait!” I placed my hand on my mouth, “I-” He brought the device in front of my mouth, “I did drink today but I don’t have a problem!”
“Maam,” He kept the device there, “Breathe on it,”
My eyes shook, “N-not today,”
“You’ll have to breathe on it, please do not make this any more difficult than it already is.”
I was hesitant. Where did this all come from? Me? A drinking problem? I have been drinking a lot these days but that’s because I’m so stressed because of Eris! I don’t have a drinking problem!
I removed my hand from my mouth and then slowly breathed on the deceive.
It beeped and the officer checked it, “See?” He showed it to me, “It seems you do have a drinking problem.”
“Just because I drank today, doesn’t mean I have a problem.” I replied.
“We’ve actually received a report, with videos and pictures attached.” He sat back down on his seat, “Of you being drunk every single day for the past week.”
!!!
“B-by who?” The news was unexpected. This meant that someone was secretly spying on me.
“We can’t reveal that.” He handed the device in his hands to another officer, “But I’ll let you know that you're not eligible to take the kid with you.”
I slumped back in my chair, my breath coming in shallow gasps. “But she’s my baby... I just want her back.”
Officer Jenkins nodded sympathetically. “I understand. If you want, it might be a good idea to have a conversation with Seraphina,”
I stared at the photograph in my hands, feeling a chasm open up inside me. “I won’t give up on her. I’ll sort this out with Seraphina.”
Jenkins gave me a small, reassuring nod. “Sure, you can try,” He looked at his computer screen, “But it won’t work. I’m just giving you a heads up.”
“What?”
“The girl has been given permanent custody of your daughter.”
“What?” I shook my head, “Impossible! How!?”
He clicked onto something and then turned the computer screen towards me, “Your drinking problem aside. There’s proof that you abandoned your daughter as an infant. Moreover you had him with a very problematic man and you knew he was abusive yet you left a newborn with him.”
The color drained from my face.
“T-that,” I panicked,
“If things had gone wrong. Or if Seraphina wasn’t there. The baby could have been killed.”
“That was in the past! I’m all good now. I have a good job! A house! I can take care of her!! I only left to get myself a better life! I did it for Eirs!!”
The officer wasn’t interested in my story. He looked at me with such uninterested and suspicious eyes that it made me feel like he was looking at a liar.
“The only way you can get your daughter back is if Seraphina chooses to let you have her.” He turned the screen back to himself, “But with the evidence against you, the court still might not allow it.”
It felt like the world had caved in. My heart fell to the bottom of my stomach and I felt sick. Misery engulfed me, a suffocating fog that clouded my thoughts and blurred my vision. How could this be happening? My heart pounded in my chest, a wild drumbeat of fear and confusion.
I stepped out of the police station, the cool night air hitting my face like a harsh reality check. My mind was a whirl of confusion and worry. I clutched the photograph of Eris against my chest, trying to steady my racing thoughts. The street was nearly empty, with just a few cars passing by and the distant sound of city life echoing in the background.
I walked home, my mind full of thoughts but my heart full of misery.
How did this happen? I wanted to scream, to argue, to plead, but my voice was lost, trapped somewhere deep inside me.
I finally made it home, my mind still a whirlwind of confusion and fear. The conversation with Officer Jenkins had left me more unsettled than ever. Seraphina had my daughter? And why hadn't I known? My thoughts were racing as I unlocked the door and stepped inside my house
The officer's words echoed in my brain, dread settled in the pit of my stomach, heavy and cold. The future loomed before me, a dark, uncertain void where my daughter was just out of reach
The silence in the house was deafening. I dropped my bag on the floor and headed straight to the kitchen, desperate for a glass of water to calm my nerves. As I reached for a glass, the cold, empty feel of the apartment sank into my bones. I filled the glass with trembling hands, the water splashing over the rim.
My mind was so confused, I didn’t notice the saucepan in the sink.
I took a sip, hoping it would help settle my racing heart when suddenly, strong hands grabbed my arms from behind.
!!!
I gasped, the glass slipping from my hand and shattering on the floor. Before I could scream, another pair of hands clamped over my mouth. Panic surged through me, and I struggled against their grip, but they were too strong.
“Keep quiet,” One of them growled in my ear, his voice menacing. Every single fear a woman could fear came crashing into me at that moment.
They dragged me out of the kitchen and into the lounge, my feet barely touching the ground. I tried to struggle but it was useless. My heart pounded in my chest as they forced me to sit on a single-seater couch.
“Hello,” A voice came from across me, “Lovely night, isn’t it?”
I looked up, my breath coming in ragged gasps, and saw him. Sitting across from me, in my own home, was a man with an air of calm authority that sent chills down my spine.
He held a teacup in his hand, and a tea plate in his other, the set that I use when I have tea, it was mine and he was calmly sipping tea from it.
“Who are you?” I demanded, my voice trembling.
He had a sharp jawline, cold eyes, and an intimidating presence that filled the room. “Ariel, there’s no need to be afraid.” How the hell does he know my name?!?!
My fear grew.
“W-who are you?” I repeated my question.
“My name is Azef. I’m Seraphina’s husband.” He paused, “Well I will be, soon enough.”
I stared at him, my mind struggling to process his words. “Seraphina’s husband? What... what do you want with me?” When the hell did she get engaged? I never heard anything like that!
Azef’s gaze was steady, almost unnervingly so. “We need to talk.” He sipped some more tea, then placed the cup on the plate, “It’s about your daughter.” He then placed the plate on the side table.
Fear and confusion mingled in my mind. This man gave off dangerous murderous vibes, and I could sense the danger surrounding him. “Where is she? What’s going on?”
Azef sighed, his expression softening just a fraction. “She’s safe, Ariel. She’s with Seraphina, like the officer told you. We just thought it would be best to explain the situation in person, without any more misunderstandings.”
I felt a surge of anger and desperation. “Explain? You think this is the right way to explain things? By kidnapping me?”
Azef raised a hand, trying to calm me. “We didn’t kidnap you. You’re in your own house.” He let out an amused chuckle, “What kidnapping?”
!!
My breathing was ragged, my mind still reeling from the shock.
Azef leaned forward slightly, his cold eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my blood run cold. The room seemed to grow darker, the air thicker, as if his very presence was sucking the warmth and light out of the space.
“Ariel,” He began, his voice low and controlled. Whenever he called my name, I felt like it was going to be the last time anyone was going to call my name, “You need to understand that this situation is more complicated than you think. Seraphina and I have taken Eris in because we believe it’s what’s best for her right now.”
I clenched my fists, my nails digging into the fabric of the couch. “Best for her? You have no right! She’s my daughter.”
Azef’s gaze hardened, and he leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper. “You’re not in a position to argue, Ariel. Eris is with Seraphina now, and she’s staying there. If you try to interfere, there will be consequences.”
A chill ran down my spine. “Consequences? Are you threatening me?”
He let out a snicker, “Me? Threaten you?” He smirked, “I wouldn’t dare,” The way he looked at me made my skin stand up, “I don’t do threats.” His smile was making me feel nauseous, “I don’t even do warninging, I don’t know why I’m here giving you one.” He leaned back against the couch as if he was the one who owned it, “I like fast results, so I always skip to the last step.”
I gulped.
Last step? Does he mean he’ll kill me? No… Seraphina intends to marry this man?
“Leave the sister’s alone.”
“B-b-but Eris is my child too.”
“Well, she won’t be if I kill you” And my suspicion was confirmed. He is ready to kill me! “You abandoned her when she was a baby. You don’t deserve her now.” I felt a blade slide along my neck, that made me freeze in my stance and my blood ran cold, “But I’ll be nice enough to let you go. You're free to start a new life. Go, knock yourself up again. Get another baby.” He glared at me, “But this time, don’t abandon it.”
The fear started to get so overwhelming, my body began to shake.
“You understand what I'm saying right?” He smiled at me
Will he be able to do anything if I call the police?
“The police won’t help you, Ariel,” He snickered and I felt my soul leave my body, “You just came from the police station, didn’t you see how none of them were ready to cooperate with you?” His body was relaxed, as if he held no fear.
And it dawned upon me.
He had pulled some strings and gotten Seraphina Eris’s permanent custody.
“Don’t try anything foolish if you want to live.” His eyes were cold, “Understand?” The blade on my neck began to pierce my skin. I felt it cut me and a thin stream of blood ran down my skin.
“Yes!!” I shouted in fear, “Yes! I do!!”
“Good,” He stood up “We have an understanding then,” He gestured to his underling to move away and I felt the blade leave my skin, “And if you even come close to Seraphina or Eris. Your dead body won’t even make it to the news.”
My stomach churned at his words and I couldn’t bring myself to move even though the blade had left my neck.
“Nice tea though,” He began to walk out, “I liked the taste,” The men followed him, “Let us never meet again.”
I watched them leave confidently through the front door and only after they were gone did I realize I was holding my breath.
“HAH!” I let out a gasp as I breathed in air. My legs felt weak but thankfully I was already sitting down.
I gulped
“Oh God…”
The words escaped my lips in a whisper, heavy with a sorrow that seemed to envelop me completely. Misery began to shroud my senses like a thick fog,
“Oh God…”
I buried my face in the palms of my hands, trying to block out the painful reality that confronted me. I could still try and go to the police, I could try and go to court as well.
But deep down, I knew I wasn’t going to get anything. Not as long as that man was there protecting the sisters. The options seemed futile, like grasping at shadows in the dark.
I bit my lower lip, the taste of bitter dismay flooding my senses. The weight of despair settled in my chest, crushing and inescapable. Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision as I faced the harsh truth.
"I’m not getting Eris back," I admitted, the words catching in my throat. The pain of loss, of abandonment, clawed at my heart.
The regret was like a knife twisting in my gut. "I shouldn’t have abandoned her," I whispered, the confession echoing in the empty room. Guilt washed over me, mingling with the deep sorrow that threatened to consume me whole.
In that moment of raw vulnerability, with the weight of my mistakes pressing down on me, I realized the enormity of my loss.
Now I’m all on my own again…