I ended the call in frustration. My calls and messages went unanswered.§
Lea had truly disappeared.
And the worst part–I couldn’t tell if I should feel relieved or terrified because of it. My head felt heavy as I bowed it down, my fingers pressing against my temples.
I couldn’t get the look in her eyes out of my head–full of pain, yet so empty.
The moment she was helpless and called out my name, hoping I’d turn around. But I didn’t. I left her there.§
Because I was afraid of losing my child and Rebecca.
Especially after I found out she was behind it all. I was furious and felt like she had turned into a greedy woman.
But deep inside, in the smallest corner of my heart, doubt lingered. The Lea I knew didn’t have that kind of audacity.
Yet after hearing how she managed to escape from the house, tricking the maids… that was enough proof that anything was possible.
“Sean?”
Rebecca’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
She stood in the doorway of our bedroom, dressed in a satin gown, her face pale.§
“Are you thinking about something?“>
I stood up.
“It’s nothing. You go ahead and sleep. I still have a few things to take care of.”
Don’t go. I’m scared… That incident still haunts me. I’ll never forgive myself if anything happens to our baby–“>
“Rebecca,” I gently cut her off. “Everything’s safe now.“}
She hugged me tightly. “Don’t let Lea get away. She needs to be punished, Sean. For our child’s sake.”
Silence fell between us for a moment. Then I nodded. “Leave that to me.“>
“I love you,” she whispered. “I trust you.“}
And to calm her down, I guided her to bed, making sure she was resting comfortably.
-0
The next morning, I called my assistant, Arlo.
“Any news on Lea?”
He shook his head. “Not yet, sir.”,
I stood up, restless.
“The Duke family. They were the last ones to help her. Tomorrow, go to them. Make them tell you where she is.“”
“What if Mrs. Lea isn’t there?“>
I shot him a sharp look. “Then find her. Immediately.”
I didn’t know what emotion was driving me to the edge. Whether it was the desire to punish her or the growing sense of unease.
Lea’s face kept haunting my thoughts.
<-8
Three days later.
I had just returned from the office when I spotted a figure in the backyard. My feet moved quickly toward it.
“You have to be punished!”
But my voice faltered as the figure turned around.
It wasn’t Lea.
It was Rebecca.
Wearing Lea’s dress.
A pang of disappointment shot through me. Maybe even showed on my face.
“Punished?” Rebecca asked, confused.
I quickly embraced her. “You’re not fully recovered, sweetheart. You shouldn’t be outside.”
“I was just bored,” she said softly. “So I… tried to distract myself.”
I took the garden hose from her hands. “Alright then, let’s go for a drive. Where do you want to go?”
“I want to have dinner out.”
“Of course.“%
I was trying to keep her calm, to stop her from sensing the turmoil inside me.
I was trying to keep her calm, to stop her from sensing the turmoil inside me.
0
–
I hadn’t been able to sleep for several nights–insomnia. Especially after hearing that Lea wasn’t at the Duke family’s home either. It only added to my frustration.
I went to the kitchen for a drink. When I opened the fridge, I spotted a small bottle–clear herbal tonic. I grabbed it quickly, unscrewed the cap, and drank it all in one go. The taste was the same. Bitter, yet it warmed my chest.}
That drink. Only Lea could make it.”
“Has Lea returned?” I asked the maid.
“No, sir. That was the drink Mrs. Lea made before she left.”
My body weakened. Whether it was the insomnia or the emptiness gnawing at my heart, I didn’t know.
Lea… Mom’s birthday is in a week. That’s your chance to apologize to the whole family–especially to Rebecca.]
And .. I’ll reconsider your punishment.]}
My hand clenched into a fist. The message, like the others, remained unread.”
Still, I kept trying.
