Chapter 174: STAY STILL

Lena's pov

The mansion felt wrong the moment I stepped inside.

My steps echoed softly on the marble floor as Mia helped Noah out of the car. For one foolish second, my heart lifted, expecting Damien to appear from the hallway, tall, tense, and impossibly real.

But he didn’t.

I scanned the living room, the staircase, and the open doors leading deeper into the house. Nothing. No movement. No familiar presence that always made the space feel occupied even when he wasn’t speaking.

"He’s not here," I whispered.

Noah’s small hand tightened around mine. He looked up at me, his face serious in that way children get when they think they understand more than adults give them credit for.

"Maybe Daddy went to go find you," he said.

The words hit me hard.

My chest tightened, fear blooming sharp and fast.

Find me? After everything—after the video, the chaos why would he still be out there alone?

Mia hovered near the door, her worry showing clearly on her face.

"Lena, sit," she said gently. "Let’s not panic yet."

But panic was already curling in my stomach.

"I need to call someone," I said, my voice shaking despite my effort to steady it.

I moved toward the old house phone mounted against the wall—something solid, something I could rely on.

My fingers trembled as I dialed Marcus’s number from memory, each ring stretching my nerves thinner.

He picked up on the second ring.

"Lena?"

"Yes," I breathed. "It’s me."

There was a sharp inhale on the other end, then disbelief, followed by pure relief.

"You’re alive," he said, his voice thick. "Jesus, Lena. You’re alright."

"I am," I said softly. "I’m home. But Damien isn’t here."

There was a pause. "He’s not?" Marcus asked.

"No. Have you heard from him?"

Another silence followed—this one heavier. "I’ve been trying to reach him all morning," Marcus admitted.

"His phone’s off. But Lena—thank God you’re okay. You have no idea what this has done to him."

My throat burned. "I think I do."

"I’m coming over," Marcus said right away. "Don’t move. I’ll be there in minutes."

When the call ended, I leaned my forehead briefly against the wall, forcing myself to breathe. Noah wrapped his arms around my legs, clinging to me as if he feared I might disappear again if he loosened his grip.

"I’m right here," I whispered, dropping down to his level.

"I’m not going anywhere."

He nodded, pressing his face into my shoulder.

The sound of approaching footsteps pulled me upright moments later. Marcus entered the mansion, urgency etched into every line of his body. When he saw me, he stopped short—like he needed to confirm I was real.

Then he crossed the space in two strides and wrapped me in a tight, unyielding hug.

"Don’t move," he said gruffly, one hand braced against my back like he was afraid I’d vanish. "Just stay right here. Damien will be back soon. I’ll make sure of it."

I hugged him back briefly, then pulled away. "Marcus… we should inform the police—"

"I was going to call them," he said. "But let’s wait. He’ll turn up. He always does."

I searched his face and saw the exhaustion beneath his controlled exterior.

"He didn’t mean the video," Marcus said suddenly, quietly. "You know that, right?"

The memory sliced through me—the cold, distant words, the way my heart had shattered watching it.

"I know," I said, nodding slowly. "I do now."

Marcus exhaled, relief flickering across his features. "Good."

Noah stepped closer to me, hugging my legs tighter than before. I rested a hand in his hair, grounding myself in its softness.

"Mom?" he said.

"Yes, baby?"

I glanced around again, the emptiness of the mansion suddenly unbearable. "Noah," I asked gently, "where’s everyone? Where’s all the help?"

He looked up at me, completely serious. "Daddy said they all went away."

My heart skipped. "Went away?"

"He said he didn’t want anyone to interfere," Noah explained. "He was trying to find you."

I crouched down until we were eye to eye.

"So Daddy’s been taking care of you all by himself?"

Noah nodded once, then again—two firm nods.

"He’s really doing his best," Noah added earnestly. "Sometimes he forgets if it’s chicken nuggets or chicken strips. But he tries."

A laugh bubbled out of me, broken and wet. I pulled him into my arms, holding him tightly, breathing him in like oxygen.

"I’m so happy to be with you," I whispered into his hair. "My sweet boy."

He hugged me back just as fiercely.

"I’m happy to be with you too, Mom."

I pulled back slightly, cupping his face in my hands. "No one will ever separate us again, okay? Never."

He smiled and nodded. "Okay."

Marcus watched us quietly, his jaw tight and his eyes distant—already thinking of his next move. Mia stood nearby, wiping her eyes discreetly.

But my mind was elsewhere.

On Damien.

Out there somewhere. Alone. Still looking, still thinking I was lost.

I stood slowly, Noah still glued to my side, and stared toward the front doors of the mansion.

Come home, I thought fiercely. Please. Come home to us.

Because for the first time in what felt like forever, I was exactly where I belonged.

And all that was missing was him.