107

107
 Selene:

It’s been six days since my babies were found, and the moment Maximus brought them back to me, I was nothing but relieved. Joy, thick and overwhelming, had washed over me. But unfortunately, that feeling didn’t last long.

At first, I’d thought Maximus might’ve had something to do with their disappearance. I wouldn’t have put it past him . Not after everything. But Anna and Asher kept insisting otherwise. Every time I asked, they repeated the same thing: “A scary woman.”

No matter how many times I asked or how I twisted the question, they stood by that. A woman.

My first thought was Jess. It would be so like her, wouldn’t it? But they’d already ruled her out. They’d seen Jess before. Twice. Enough to label her “the big bully” . Someone they knew and disliked, but not the woman who took them.

So if it wasn’t Jess… then who the hell was it?

A hundred names swirl through my mind, none of them fitting. But someone out there took my kids. And whoever it is… I’ll find them. And when I do? They’ll pay for what they did.

Since Maximus gave me the address where he’d found Anna and Asher, I didn’t waste a second. I hired a team to sweep through the place, top to bottom. Someone left a trace. Something has to be there.

“Selene? Are you still scared? There’s nothing to be scared of ,trust me.”

Angela’s voice gently pulls me out of my spiraling thoughts. I blink and look up at her, trying to force my heart to steady.

“Scared?” I let out a soft chuckle. “I’m not, Mum.”

Angela steps closer, gently wrapping her hand around mine. “I can see it in your eyes,” she says quietly. “Just... let them go spend some time with their father. He deserves that much.”

I nod, even though my chest feels tight.

Ever since Maximus brought them back, he’s been asking—begging, even—for just a little time with them. And every time, I’ve shut him down.

We’ve been talking more lately, and yes, things have been... civil. But that doesn’t mean I’m ready to open the door all the way.

Even Anna and Asher haven’t let up. They keep pleading to see their dad. “We miss him,” they say. Over and over again.

And now, after Angela’s gentle nudge, I’m finally saying yes.

Their excitement fills the room like sunshine. I watch them spinning in front of the mirror, admiring themselves in their little outfits.

A smile tugs at my lips. I didn’t expect them to be this eager. To practically glow at the thought of being with Maximus.

“Mum, we’re ready! Let’s go!” Asher dashes toward me, Annaa close behind, giggling as they race.

Anna nods eagerly. “Yes! Thank you, Mummy! But… what about Aunty Nelly? Is she coming with us?”

I crouch to her level, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “No, baby,” I say softly, trying to keep my smile steady. “She’s still a little sick, remember? But she’s getting better, so… maybe next time, okay?”

“Okay, Mummy!” she chirps, already distracted by the hem of her dress.

I try to hold onto my smile, but it feels more like a mask than anything real. The truth is, I still have no idea who hit Nelly. She’s been unconscious for days now, and the silence surrounding it eats at me.

And even if she were awake… I don’t think I’d ever trust her with my kids again.

No. That mistake won’t happen twice.

With a sigh, I push to my feet, take each of their small hands in mine, and lead them toward the door. My fingers curl around the knob.

And the moment I pull it open, I freeze.

Avery stands there, her fist halfway in the air, clearly just about to knock.

I open my mouth to say something, but before I can get a word out, the kids slip their hands from mine and launch themselves at her.

“Aunty Avery!” they squeal in unison.

Avery laughs and crouches to their level, ruffling their hair like she’s known them forever. “You two look so sharp! What’s the occasion, huh?”

“Mummy is taking us to see our daddy!” Asher announces proudly, puffing his little chest.

“Yes!” Anna confirms, bouncing slightly from side to side with excitement.

Avery’s eyes sparkle before she finally lifts her gaze to meet mine. I can tell she’s genuinely happy.

Ever since the day Maximus brought them to the hospital, she’s had this unshakable bond with the kids. And honestly? She hasn’t stopped pestering me since about letting them spend time with their father.

“Very well then,” she says at last, after a quiet beat. “Let’s go. I’m excited too!”

I roll my eyes, trying not to smile, and make my way to the car.

Avery helps strap both kids into their seats in the back, double-checking the buckles like a pro. Then she slides into the passenger seat, lets out a content sigh, and grins.

“So... a little date with Mr. Hemsworth, hmm?”

“It’s not a date,” I mutter, buckling my seatbelt and starting the engine. “The kids are just spending some time with their dad. That’s it.”

“Oh, come on, Selene,” she teases, finally calling me by my name…after insisting for weeks she preferred ‘Dr. Andrea.’ “You know I read faces for fun, right? And judging by yours right now... I’d say you’re pretty excited to see him again.”

I scoff. “Oh, please, Avery!”

“See? You’re blushing!” Avery gasps, throwing me a dramatic look. “And wow..look at you! You’re totally dressed like someone heading out on a romantic date.”

I snort. “This is how I always dress, Avery. What did you expect me to show up in? Rags and a bird’s nest for hair?”

She laughs, clearly unfazed, and I roll my eyes as I back the car out of the garage, heading toward the location Maximus sent me.

Thank God it’s a well-known spot. Familiar, open, easy to find. No stress, no drama.

It doesn’t take long to get there. Especially with Avery’s nonstop commentary filling every second of silence.

But somewhere between her teasing and the hum of the road, I realize… maybe she’s right.

Maybe a part of me does want to see Maximus today. Not just because of the kids, or for their safety..though that’s the excuse I keep telling myself.

No, deep down… I know the truth.

Lately, just being around him stirs something in me. A flutter. A flicker. Something I haven’t felt in a long time.

“Are you just going to sit there smiling all day?” Avery bumps me with her elbow. “Get down already.”

Her nudge snaps me out of my thoughts. I blink, hand still resting on the steering wheel, the ghost of a smile lingering on my lips

Then, I turn toward her with a dry smile.

“Well,” she says, grinning like she knows something I don’t, “I’ll just hang around the car till the non-date wraps up. Or maybe I’ll find a cute corner to sit and spy from.” She gives me a cheeky wink.

Before I can respond, she’s already hopped out, rushing to help the kids out of their seats.

I reach down to unbuckle my seatbelt, ready to join them…when my phone pings.

My hand freezes. Slowly, I pull it out, and my eyes lock onto the screen.

It’s a message. From one of the investigators I hired to search the house where Anna and Asher were kept.

“I think we may have found the culprit, Ms. Norman,” the message reads.

“We discovered a small phone. It was likely dropped or hidden in the hopes of being recovered later.”

My fingers fly over the screen.

“Have you unlocked it yet? Do you know who it belongs to?”

There’s a pause. A heartbeat. Then the next message comes in.

“Not yet. But we think there’s a picture on the wallpaper. You might recognize the person. I’ll send it now. If not, we’ll work on unlocking it.”

My breath catches. My fingers tense around the phone.

Seconds later, another message arrives. With an image attached.

I open it.

And everything inside me stills.

The woman on the screen...

My heart drops.

It’s Maya Norman.

My stepmother.