Chapter 6 - The Toddler Who Hid Because She Thought Her Mother Would Be PunishedThe tracker led Adrian to an abandoned church three miles from the estate.
But Sophie wasn't there.
Victor had anticipated them.
The trail ended.
Hours passed.
Adrian searched every location.
Every warehouse.
Every safe house.
Every property.
Nothing.
Then Grace found something.
A photograph.
Sophie standing beside a window.
In the background was an old library.
Grace stared.
“I know this place.”
Adrian turned.
“Where?”
“My husband's childhood home.”
They drove there.
The house had been abandoned for years.
The doors were unlocked.
Inside, everything was covered in dust.
Then Grace heard something.
A tiny sound.
“Mommy?”
She ran.
Adrian followed.
They opened a storage door.
Sophie was inside.
Alone.
Cold.
Terrified.
Grace fell to her knees.
“Sophie!”
The child ran into her mother's arms.
Adrian crouched beside them.
“Are you hurt?”
Sophie shook her head.
“Why did you hide?”
She hugged Mr. Bunny.
“I heard bad people.”
“What did they say?”
“They said Mommy would be sent away.”
Grace's heart broke.
“They told you that?”
Sophie nodded.
“They said if I disappeared, Mommy could stay.”
Adrian's face collapsed.
The same sentence she would repeat later.
The same sentence that would haunt him.
“If I go away, will you let Mommy stay?”
He pulled Sophie into his arms.
“No.”
She cried.
“They said you would hurt Mommy.”
“I would never hurt your mother.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
She whispered:
“And you won't send us away?”
Adrian looked at Grace.
“No.”
He hugged them both.
Outside, the search team waited.
Adrian walked out carrying Sophie.
Everyone saw him.
And for the first time, the man who feared nothing looked like a broken father.
His eyes were wet.
His voice shook.
“Get every person involved.”
Marcus stared.
Adrian wiped his face.
“No more hiding.”
May you like
He turned toward the mansion.
“We end this tonight.”
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