Chapter 77
77 Where Are They? (Winona)
I'm still shaken from attacking that man yesterday. I've stayed at the beach house another night, but now, want to get back to the cottage and prove I can do this
"Jayden, thanks for everything. The police are coming this afternoon for an interview and child services will be here in the morning."
"Are you sure?" He looks at me, concern etched in his features.
I nod. "I really am."
"I have some meetings today. Hopefully, I'll finally make some headway to buying more shares. Then I'll come around and sleep on the sofa."
"You don't have to put yourself out.
"I do, and I will. If you're sure he'll be back, we can't take any
Chances."
"He will be, but he's not stupid enough to try while the authorities are around."
"If he knows you'll contact the authorities, then he may want to get the kids back with him before then."
This is true. I consider my options. I don't have a car here and Jayden has meetings he needs to get to." So, it's either I wait at the cottage or here."
I don't know what to do. Anxiety twists in my gut, making it hard to breathe.
"We know security is out there watching."
I sigh with relief. "Yes. Drop us at the cottage then. They aren't going to let him anywhere near us,
"Are the kids outside?" Jayden asks.
"No, they're in the bedroom packing their things." I stare at him, trying to mask my growing panic.
"I didn't hear them when I came past."
the deck gate locked?" Panic rises in my chest. My heart races as I rush to the bedroom, pushing the door open. The room is empty, the bed unmade, and their things scattered around. My mind goes blank with fear.
"Bobby! Sarah! Abby!" I call out, my voice breaking. There's no response, just the deafening silence that makes my heart pound harder.
Jayden's face pales as he realizes the kids are missing "We need to check the entire house."
We tear through the rooms, opening closets, checking under beds, and calling their names. Each empty space I find tightens the knot of dread in my stomach.
"They're not here, Jayden," I gasp, clutching the doorframe to steady myself. My breath comes in short, desperate gasps. "Where could they be?"
He grabs my shoulders, forcing me to look at him. "Winona, we'll find them. They couldn't have gone far."
Where Are They?
"No! He's got them. He has Abby!" I scream the words at him, my voice echoing in the eminty house. Jayden bolts out the door while I sprint to the back deck. The gate is open, and my heart sinks further.
"I locked it, I swear I did," Jayden says, his voice shaking.
"Bobby watched you do the combination yesterday. It makes sense," I race down the steps and scan the
yard.
The beach beyond is deserted. I turn and run along the shoreline, my eyes scanning for any sign of the kids. The sun is bright, reflecting off the water, making it hard to see.
I shade my eyes with my hand and squint. "Bobby! Sarah! Abby!" I shout, my voice hoarse from the effort.
can see Jayden talking to the security team near the house. They're gesturing, pointing in different directions. I feel helpless and frantic. The thought of them being taken again by my father sends waves of nausea through me. "Winona!" Jayden's voice carries over the wind. "They haven't seen them. We're checking the cameras."
I sink to my knees in the sand, tears streaming down my face. "He took them!" I choke out, my body trembling. The overwhelming sense of loss and fear crashes over me like a tidal wave. "It's my fault. It's my fault. Abby, oh god, Abby." I sob. Jayden rushes to my side and kneels beside me. "We'll find them, Winona, We will. They can't have gone far. Security would have seen something."
1 should have known better than to trust them. My father has set this up. He's got Bobby to do this. I
know it."
"Bobby? You mean, he's taken Abby to your father? Why would he if he's so scared of him?"
"Because he's scared. Don't you get it? There's no going against that man."
Jayden helps me to my feet. "We can't give up."
"I'm calling the police. I need to go wait at the cottage. That's the address Abby knows in an emergency." It's a long shot, but she might remember it.
Just as we're about to circle back to the house, a security guard rushes up to us. "We've found something Small footprints leading toward the dunes," he says, pointing toward the sandy hills.
Jayden and I exchange a glance, hope sparking in our eyes. We sprint toward the dunes, following the footprints. The trail is faint but visible, leading us through the shifting sands. But then it just stops, the wind making the trail disappear. "Bobby! Sarah! Abby!" I shout again, my voice raw with desperation.
But I know deep inside, they aren't here. They are long gone.
I'll kill him, I swear. I'll kill him if he
hurts my baby.
Jayden pulls me into his arms, his grip tight and reassuring. "We'll get them back, Winona, I promise you. We won't stop until we do."
His words are comforting, but the fear gnaws at me, relentless and unforgiving. How could this happen?
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How could I let this happen? Every second that ticks by feels like an eternity, each moment filled with the torturous uncertainty of not knowing where they are or what's happening to them.
I look up at Jayden, my vision blurred by tears. "We have to find them. We can't let him get away with this."
Jayden nods, his eyes hardening with determination. "We won't. I'll make sure of it."
711 Just Find Het