Chapter 107 Torturous Wait

Chapter 107 Torturous Wait
Kayden’s POV

“Let’s just hope she still comes here. Her phone might have run out of power while she branches elsewhere.”

Miranda’s voice carried a softness that didn’t quite settle right in my chest.

I nodded anyway. “Yeah… it’s fine.”

But it wasn’t fine. Not even close. I arrived here minutes ago after I called her and she said Alyssa hadn’t reached her side. I couldn’t stay back. 

My eyes drifted to the door again, as if she might suddenly walk in. I wouldn’t mind any excuse she had for putting us in this much tension. Seeing her would solve everything.

She should have been here by now. It’s been roughly three hours since she left my side.

She would have been here by now.

And then there was Mr. Bennett’s strained voice- replaying in my head as he spoke about Louisa’s scream over the phone.

I hadn’t called him back. Louisa might not be in trouble after all.

To distract myself, I forced my gaze away from the door and let it wander around Miranda’s apartment.

It was modest, but neat. Clean lines. Warm lighting. A faint scent of spices in the air, probably from cooking earlier.

“It’s a nice place,” I said, my voice steady despite everything clawing inside me.

Miranda smiled. “Thank you.”

I realized I had nothing to say to her. Really. I just couldn’t wait for Alyssa to be back.

I looked at Miranda in time to see her eyes dropped to my hand.

“Your hand… it’s bleeding?”

I glanced down. Dried blood coated my knuckles.

Killian’s blood. My fingers curled slightly as I flexed them.

“It’s nothing,” I said casually. “I got hurt on my way here. I’ll take care of it later.”

Her brows pulled together. “Oh… please do.”

I nodded once. I didn’t want to get pulled back to where I was coming from. Killian and Elena. It wasn’t a thought I was strong enough to mentally touch now. At all. 

I think this silence was better. I didn’t even want to talk. I just wanted to be alone- or with her. But she wasn’t here.

“I’m surprised you’re still in contact with my daughter.” Miranda suddenly said, reminding me that I wasn’t alone inside here.

I looked at her. “Yeah. We are.”

Her eyes narrowed at me, almost suspiciously.

I held it. “Is there a problem?”

She shook her head, but the tension didn’t leave her face.

“I’m just surprised. You’re my ex-boss’s son and you’re looking for my daughter.”

Her tone didn’t sit right with me.

“Me and Alyssa are friends,” I replied evenly.

“Friends?” She asked like it was some sort of taboo. A small chuckle left her lips that sounded… off.

“Naturally, that’s surprising,” she added. “You and Alyssa aren’t exactly in the same caliber.”

I stilled.Then I leaned back slightly, keeping my voice leveled. “I’m sorry, but your questions are making me uncomfortable.”

Her expression shifted.

I continued, “There’s nothing wrong with me taking interest in Alyssa. Same caliber or not.”

She blinked. “Interest?” she repeated my own word.

Shit. That slipped. I hadn’t planned to say that.

Did Alyssa even want her mother to know I was…into her?

I exhaled silently and straightened.

“I was surprised when I was informed you stopped working for us. I just hope my father did nothing to offend you. I doubt it was about unpaid salary.” I changed the context of our conversation.

Miranda’s face hardened for a split second before she smiled again.

“Well, it’s not only the rich who get to decide when they want to step up in life. I simply wanted more for myself and my daughter. I couldn’t keep working as a maid forever.”

There it was.

A flicker of malice beneath the words. What was that about?

I nodded anyway. “That’s fair, Mrs King.”

My hands came together unconsciously, rubbing against each other as the unease returned with full force.

Her gaze kept shifting to me every now and then, longer than necessary.

The sound of my phone ringing pulled my attention away from her. And I suddenly hoped it was Alyssa calling.

It wasn’t her when I checked the screen.

Elena.

My jaw clenched.

I declined the call immediately.

It rang again. This time around, it was Killian.

I ended it. A bitter taste filled my mouth.

“I’ll be right back,” I muttered to Miranda, already standing.

I stepped out of the apartment and into the corridor, then out onto the small balcony area.

The moment the door closed behind me, everything I had been holding back surged up.

I paced restlessly. I have not rested since Marcus and Israel’s case. Who was I deceiving? I haven’t rested since I was trafficked as a kid. 

I slammed my fist into the wall.

“Fuck!”

Elena was pregnant for Killian…

God please. Would this ever feel normal to me?

My chest rose and fell rapidly.

They’ve been together all this while.

That was why Elena had stopped calling me to attend to her sickle cell crises.

Why Killian became distant. He didn’t want me to find out. 

They had each other.

They were together.

Killian must have been the one taking care of her during her crises.

My hands trembled before I clenched them into fists again.

The only thing keeping me from losing control completely was the thought of seeing Alyssa arrive here.

I needed to see her.

I pulled out my phone out again and dialed Mr. Bennett. He’s been at the back of my mind since he told me about Louisa’s call earlier.

He picked at the third ring.

“Mr. Bennett,” I acknowledged. “I just wanted to check if you’ve been able to reach—”

“There’s a problem.” His voice cut through mine with urgency.

My body snapped to attention.

“What are you talking about?” I asked, already bracing myself.

“I’m on my way to my wife’s property with the police,” he said rapidly. “Louisa has been kidnapped.”

For a second, I couldn’t process the words.

“…What?”

“I’ll update you later—”

“No,” I cut in sharply. “Tell me where you are. I’m coming.”

He called out the address over the phone.

I ran my hand through my hair, already turning back toward the door.

Louisa was kidnapped?

My chest caved in. 

I might not love her, but we were betrothed. And she was Louisa’s friend.

And more than that…No one deserved this.

I pushed the door open and stepped back inside.

Miranda was already standing there, her brows drawn together.

“I heard you shouting,” she said. “Is everything okay?”

I forced my expression to settle.

“Yeah. Everything’s fine.” The lie didn’t exactly come out well.

“If Alyssa comes back, please call me.”

She nodded slowly, still studying me. “I will.”

I turned and walked out, my steps quickening with every second.