Chapter Ninety

Chapter Ninety
Days passed by quietly. In those six days since they returned, Mirabella tried to keep herself busy. She was able to meet up with all her friends from the club and they finally all met Rena.

It warmed her heart to see how different Rena was becoming. Rena hardly let people in or touch her before. She didn’t like strangers, sometimes she was even shy with familiar faces, she always hid behind her mother’s legs or clung tightly to her clothes.

But now… it was different.
A good kind of different.

Rena smiled more.
She reached out to people.
She lifted her arms up for them to carry her and even hugged them.

She giggled loudly and freely. She played. She let people into her small world.

And it made Mirabella so happy. But still…

She felt really uneasy.

The uneasiness came from the same place in her chest that ached every night when the house became quiet and she had to sleep alone. Again.

It was Hunter… his absence.

She missed him so much.

Six days since they came back.
Six days since he left home.

They spoke on the phone every night. He always assured her that he was fine and everything was going well.

But she could still tell that he wasn't telling her everything.

He hid things when he didn’t want to worry her. He always did that. She knew from the tone of his voice that he was keeping something from her. Something serious.

Still, every time she asked, he would just say, “I’m fine, baby. Everything’s going well. I will return soon”

She wanted to believe him.
She truly did.

But her heart kept getting restless.


Right now, she was sitting on Hilda’s kitchen counter while Hilda stood beside her, sipping from her bottle of yogurt. Rena was standing on the counter too, busy with the same thing she always loved doing.

Rena’s small fingers were tangled in Hilda’s long curls, pulling, twisting, and sliding through the strands with pure joy on her tiny face.

Rena has a thing for hair. She always wants to play with people's hair.

Mirabella smiled. “She really likes your hair.”

Hilda rolled her eyes jokingly. “She likes everyone’s hair”

Rena giggled loudly and continued playing with Hilda’s hair.

Mirabella peeled an orange and popped a slice into her mouth. The sweetness filled her tongue, and she hummed softly, feeding Rena another piece.

“I met someone,” Hilda said carefully.

Mirabella stopped chewing for a moment and looked at her friend. “Owww… it’s right about time. You have been alone for too long, Hilda" She smiled widely. “I’m happy for you.”

She fed Rena another piece.

Hilda stared at her for a while. She didn’t smile. Instead, her expression shifted to something uncertain.

“You’re not mad?” she asked softly.

Mirabella blinked twice. “Huh? Why would I be mad?”

Hilda opened her mouth to say something, then closed it again, then opened it, struggling to find words.

“I just… I thought you would have some objections,” she whispered. “I dated your brother”

Mirabella’s eyes softened instantly. “What? No. I would never be upset over that. You don’t need to feel guilty, Hilda. What happened happened and it wasn't your fault in any way. So you have every right to be happy”

Hilda exhaled a long breath of relief and smiled. “Thanks, Mira. What you said just now meant a lot to me”

Mirabella leaned forward and nudged her. “No, thank you. You have always been a shoulder I could cry on… and like a big sister I could come to anytime”

“Mama, I want a big sister too,” Rena said suddenly, her tiny voice serious.

Mirabella and Hilda burst into laughter.

“You can only have a little sister, silly girl,” Hilda said, tapping Rena’s nose lightly. Rena giggled and hugged her arm.

“Mama… will I get a little sister then?” Rena asked again, her tiny hand brushing down Hilda's hair.

The two women laughed even harder.

“Rena baby,” Mirabella said, wiping tears of laughter from the corner of her eyes, “a little sister or brother isn’t something you can ask for like this. It’s not a snack”

Rena frowned with deep concentration.

“So what should I do to get a little sister?”

Another wave of bubbling laughter filled the kitchen.

The little girl was so adorable thinking she needed to work hard to get a younger sibling. She was just a joy giver and every moment with Rena was filled with laughter. This was what had kept her sane all those years alone.

Mirabella kissed her cheek. “You are too adorable. Don’t worry, sweetheart. I will think about giving you a little sister or brother, okay?”

“Yeeeyyy!” Rena cheered, clapping her hands excitedly.

Hilda shook her head, amused. “Rena’s so sweet”

“Right,” Mirabella said as she hopped off the counter. “I need to get a few things at the mall”

“Need company?” Hilda asked.

“Hmm… no,” Mirabella replied gently. “But I want Rena to stay with you. Is that okay?”

Hilda frowned like Mirabella had just said something ridiculous. “Of course! Why would you even ask that?”

Mirabella shrugged. “I just thought she might disturb you if you have things to do”

“Oh please,” Hilda scoffed. She grabbed Rena around the waist. “My baby can stay with me anytime. Would you like to stay with Auntie?”

Rena nodded absentmindedly. Her attention was still on the hair she was busy with.

Hilda glanced at Mirabella and smirked. “See? She’s not even noticing you. So go away. You are the one interrupting.”

Mirabella laughed, grabbed her bag, kissed Rena, and left.



The weather outside was warm, with a calm breeze. The parking lot of the mall wasn’t too full, but it wasn’t empty either. Cars were moving, people were talking, and trolleys were sliding across the concrete floor.

Mirabella finished her shopping in about thirty minutes. She bought a few groceries, some snacks, a new pink water bottle for Rena, and cleaning supplies.

She pushed her trolley toward her car, humming softly. She felt tired, but in a few minutes or probably an hour she would be home, and she would rest for the rest of the evening.

She opened the booth of the car and began arranging everything inside. Bags of fruits went in first, then the household items, then Rena’s new bottle.

But then…

A strange feeling crept up her spine.

Her hands froze in place.

She turned slowly.
She scanned the parking lot.

People were walking normally. Cars were driving out. Someone was laughing nearby. Nothing seemed strange.

Still… something inside her tightened.

“Maybe I’m overthinking,” she whispered to herself.

She closed the booth and walked to the driver’s side.

She opened the door.

And in the exact second she lifted her leg to step inside…

A hand clamped tightly over her mouth.
A strong arm wrapped around her waist.

And a cloth was pressed harshly against her nose.

Mirabella gasped, but the sound was muffled by the large hand covering her mouth. She kicked her legs desperately, twisting, scratching, trying to scream, but her voice couldn’t escape.

The smell hit her nose instantly.
Sharp. Chemical.

Her body reacted instantly. Panic shot through her veins like fire. She struggled harder, but the hand holding her was too strong. She tried to punch, tried to reach for the car door, tried to throw her head back…

But her strength was fading.
Fast.
Too fast.

Her vision blurred.

Her limbs weakened.

Her knees buckled.

She felt herself being dragged toward a car parked not too far away.

Her ears were ringing loudly now.
Her heart was thundering in her chest.
Her breaths were slow.
Weak.
Shallow.

She tried to look up.

She saw the blurred shape of a man. Tall. Dark. And unknown.

The world dimmed.

Sounds faded around her.

The last thing Mirabella saw was the shadow of the man opening the backdoor of another car.

And the last thing she felt was the cold air against her cheek as she was pushed inside.

Then…

Everything went black.