106

106
  Maximus:

I never expected to find my children on the outskirts of town. The detectives on the case were moving too slowly, so I hired private investigators. Fast , efficient, and relentless.  

And thank God I did.

When we arrived at the location, my heart clenches. An old, worn-down cabin stands before us, looking as lifeless as the nightmare I’ve been living. 

The detectives kick the door open, and the moment my eyes land on Anna and Asher, something inside me shatters.  

They’re huddled in a corner, Anna clutching Asher protectively. His small frame trembles in her arms. His face pale with fear. 

A dark bruise mars the corner of Anna’s lip, proof of whatever hell they’ve been through. She looks like she’s been hit more than once. Asher, my boy is completely shaken.  

My God.

Then they see me.  

Without hesitation, they rush forward, throwing themselves into my arms, their bodies wracked with sobs. I hold them tight, pressing them close, whispering promises I should have made sooner.  

A few minutes later, they’re outside. The detectives are crouched beside them, gently questioning, trying to piece together what happened. 

But my children shake their heads, their voices trembling. Whoever took them…whoever did this…never let them see their face.

Rage burns through me. 

Whoever did this better pray I never find them because once I do, they’re spending the rest of their miserable lives behind bars. No one lays a hand on my children and walks away free.  

I gather Anna and Asher in my arms, holding them close before gently settling them into the car. They need medical attention, I can see that much. 

Their silence, the way they cling to each other, tells me more than words ever could.  

Pulling out my phone, I call Selene. She needs to know. She deserves to know. But the call goes straight to voicemail. I try again. And again. Nothing.  

Frustration tightens my grip on the wheel as I drive straight to her hospital. She has to be there. She has to pick up. I glance at the rearview mirror…Anna and Asher sit eerily quiet in the backseat. 

I don’t know if they’re naturally this reserved, but something about their silence unsettles me.  

I try talking to them, cracking a joke, offering reassurances..but nothing works. They don’t want me. They want Selene.  

That’s all I need to know.  

I press my foot harder on the gas, pushing the speed limit but never past it. Not with my kids in the car. Not after what they’ve been through.

My phone rings, and without hesitation, I reject the call. This isn’t the time. But knowing Mia, she won’t give up that easily. Sure enough, my phone buzzes again. 

With a sigh, I tap my Bluetooth and answer.  

Almost immediately, her loud voice fills the car, nearly making me wince. 

I steal a glance at the kids. Anna clutches Asher’s hand, their eyes fixed ahead, lost in their own world of silence. I grip the wheel tighter and refocus on the road.  

"Can you lower your voice?" I mutter, irritation creeping in. "Is there a reason you're calling? What if I was in a meeting? And where the hell are you? It sounds like chaos over there."  

I grumble, not in the mood for Mia’s usual antics. But, as expected, she just laughs, her voice booming through the speakers.  

Strangely enough, that laugh does something to me. Maybe it’s exactly what I need.. a distraction from the dark place I’m sinking into. No matter how hard I try, I can’t shake the image of Anna’s bruised lip, Asher’s terrified face. 

Someone took them. Hurt them.  

Why?  

Why take two innocent kids just to beat them down?

I don’t understand why Selene thinks I had anything to do with this. The accusation stings, and I need to know who’s been feeding her such lies.  

"I'm not at a party," Mia says, her voice laced with amusement. "My roommate’s just blasting music. You know I don’t do crazy parties, Maximus.” She chuckles lightly before shifting gears. “So, tell me, what have you and Mason been up to? I hope he isn’t causing trouble. I miss you, Max. It’s not the same without you. Don’t miss me too much, okay? I promise to call every day and keep you company. I know how serious you get with work, but that won’t stop me.” Another soft laugh.  

I find myself smiling. Mia has always known how to lift my mood, and right now, I need that more than ever.  

But something nags at me. She hasn’t mentioned Jess. Not once. That’s… unusual.  

Mia has always had a strange attachment to Jess, even though their personalities weren’t exactly opposites. Something must have happened between them. Not that I particularly care.

Jess was never the kind of person you wanted as a friend. She was the type to stab you in the back and sell you out for loose change without a second thought.  

When I first married her, I wasn’t exactly thrilled about Mia being close to her..especially once Jess started showing her true colors. I worried Mia might pick up some of her toxic traits. So when she graduated and left for college, I was relieved. At least she was far away from Jess and her never-ending drama. 

I glance at the rearview mirror, my gaze settling on Anna as she holds Asher close. Despite everything, she’s strong, protective. Selene did an incredible job raising her, and for that, I’m grateful. 

At least Anna can be a big sister to her siblings, even though they’re the same age.  

"Hey, Mia, I’ll call you back later," I say. "And I miss you too. Stay safe, love you."  

I hang up just as Selene’s hospital comes into view.

Parking the car, I quickly step out and help my kids, scooping both of them into my arms as I carry them into the hospital. 

“You’re safe now, babies.” I say.

Asher clings to me tightly, his little fingers gripping my shirt like he’s afraid I might disappear.  

At the front desk, I keep my voice steady. “I need to see Dr. Andrea.” 

I know better than to ask for Selene. No one here would recognize that name, and I don’t have time to waste.  

We wait. Asher shifts in my arms, his grip tightening. Then, in a small, shaky voice, he whispers, “Thank you, Dad, for finding us. I was so scared, but I knew you would come.” He sniffles. “The woman was so mean to us. And when Anna talked back, she hit her.” His voice wavers. “Promise me you won’t leave us. Please?”  

I freeze.  

A woman?  

I thought they were taken by a man. That’s what I’d been telling myself all along. But this…this changes everything.  

My mind races. Who the hell could’ve done this? I’d been thinking it was some random kidnapper, a faceless criminal looking for a payday. But now, it’s clear. This wasn’t random.  

And I can think of a few people who would want to hurt my children.
Could it be Jess?

Or-

“Oh my god! My babies!” I instantly hear Selene’s voice pierce my ears.

As soon as the kids catch sight of her, I set them down, and they bolt straight into her arms. She clutches them tightly, sobbing, holding them like she’ll never let go.  

Relief washes over her face, but it’s quickly replaced by worry as she checks them over, her hands running over their small bodies, searching for injuries. When her gaze lands on Anna’s bruised face, her expression darkens.  

Anna flinches when Selene’s fingers graze the tender spot. My jaw clenches at the sight.  

"Dad found us. He saved us. I’ve missed you so much," Asher murmurs with a small voice.

Then, as if he’s suddenly afraid of disappointing her, he blurts out, "I promise to be good and never give you a headache again. We were so scared, but Anna helped me. She did exactly what you taught us to do when we’re in danger."  

At Asher’s words, Selene’s eyes snap to me. I can see them narrowing with suspicion.  

She kisses the tops of their heads, whispering something I can’t hear, then straightens and marches toward me. I brace myself, expecting maybe a thank you..but instead, she jabs a finger into my chest.

"I’m watching you,” she hisses. “Don’t expect gratitude, Maximus. I know you had a hand in this. How convenient that you’re the one who found them. What a coincidence indeed."  

Her words cut deeper than I expect, but I know it’s not really her talking. It’s her anger. Her fear.  

I exhale, forcing a small smile. There’s no point arguing, not now. Instead, I step past her, heading toward the nurse. My children need stitches. That’s what matters right now. 

Not Selene’s accusations.

Not my pride.