LOGINRowland’s POV. I sat watching the building. My fingers tightened around the wheel. What business could Tom possibly have in a place like this? I wasn’t meant to be doing this. I should tell the police. But they seemed to be taking their time. My secretary had walked in this morning to inform me that a delivery driver had walked into my office that morning insisting he’d seen Tom near this abandoned block.What I came here for, I don’t know. I leaned forward and squinted when a teenager walked out of the building. He glanced around before placing his hoody over his head and walking away. He kept one hand buried in the pocket of his hoodie as if protecting something.I shook my head. “Maybe I should go back. Call the police.” ‘No!’ I glanced at my phone, still no text from Selene. I wasn’t going to text her. I didn’t want to be where I wasn’t needed. My hand hovered over my phone.One call.That’s all it would take.The investigators would tell me to wait.Secure the area.Sta
Selene’s POV. “Ma’am!”I froze. “Maam?” Closer this time. I spun around. A teenage grocery employee stops a few feet from me. Holding a note, smiling awkwardly. “You forgot your change, ma'am." “Oh?” I laughed. How embarrassing. “My change?” I blinked.The tension left my body all at once.He nodded. “Yes, ma'am." “Oh.”Heat crept up my neck.“Thank you. I’m… sorry.” I took it from him and fumbled for my actual keys. The young boy turned around and half jogged back into the building. I unlocked the car door, stuffed the bags into the back seat, and slid into the driver's seat. I allowed myself to lean into the chair. I rubbed my forehead softly. “Gracious, what am I turning into?" What’s the time?” I reached into my bag for my phone. “The batteries are out." It must have died a long time ago. I shoved it back in and eased out of the parking lot, checking the rearview mirror more times than I cared to admit.*******I pulled into my street. The light illuminated the da
Rowland’s POV I walked straight to the investigator's office without knocking. She looked up from the file on her desk, a surprised expression on her face before she quickly masked it. “Mr Brooke’s…” “Have you found him?” She blinked. “We are still following several…” “No!” I shook my head. "Don't give me that.” She leaned back. Her expression was stern now. “I saw him yesterday.” Silence. “I saw the man you’ve been telling me you’re trying to find.” I planted both palms on her desk and leaned forward. “He was so close; not even a single thread of fear was in him.” She remained calm. Which pissed me off even more. “And then?” she asked. “And then he disappeared.” I laughed once, a dry chuckle. "He vanished," I said, with the snap of my finger, "into thin air, Inspector." My jaw tightened. “So explain something to me.” She waited. “How does a man who’s supposedly being investigated simply disappear “We’re doing everything within our—” “E
Selene’s POV. I watched Rowland’s car glide out from my patio. I blew him an air kiss just before he wound up fully, and he pretended to catch it and place it over his chest. I giggled. I shut the door behind me and scrambled for the card. I relaxed into the sofa and threw my head back. I'm slightly hopeful that I might learn something tangible and this entire search could be over. I dialed in the number. It rang for a few minutes but no one answered. I dialed again. A voice came through in the fifth ring. Low, masculine, and tired. “Hello.” “Good morning, Mr. Frank Thomas.” “Good morning. Who is this?” “I am Selene. Calling relating to my friend Sophie.” Silence. “What about her?” “I was told you and Sophie were seeing each other.” I breathed, waiting for that to sink in first. “I haven't heard from her in a while now, and I decided to reach out to you. You might know her whereabouts.” “What?” He exclaimed, sounding genuinely surpri
Selene’s POV. I stood by the window of my living room. Gazing out at the dark sky. Amira’s teddy in one hand and a glass of water in the other. The teddy still smelled like her. So soft and fluffy. I lowered my nose to it and took in a whiff. My baby. A chill ran down my body. I haven't really been feeling myself lately. My body just seems weak. I haven't felt this way in like forever. I moved towards the center table and carefully placed the glass cup down. I hadn’t stopped trying Sophie’s line. I was hoping for something. A miracle maybe. I reached for the card the woman from earlier gave me. The boss's name across the card read, "Frank Thomas." I flipped it over; it was so unlike Sophie to keep something like this from me. Why didn’t she tell me about him? I hugged the Teddy closer to my chest. I would call him tonight. My head snapped at the screeching sound from outside. From the little opening in the curtain I could see Rowland’s car. “What is he doing here and why s
Rowland’s POV. My brow arched as I leaned on the chair. Elena barely wants to have conversations, except when it is work. This didn’t sound like work. "Carry on.” She cleared her throat, then slid a small file towards me. “This is my resignation letter, sir." For a second I simply stared at it.Then I looked back at her.My mouth hung open.“What?”A nervous laugh escaped her.“I knew that would be your reaction.”“You’re joking.”“I’m not.”I picked up the letter and skimmed through the first few lines before dropping it back onto the desk.“Elena, you’ve worked here for years.”“I know.”“You’re one of the best people I have.”“I know that too.”“Then why?”She looked down at her hands.“I have come to realize my place isn’t here.” She shook her head. “I don’t want to spend the rest of my life chasing what’s clearly not mine.” I rubbed my chin slowly. Observing her. She looked different. Like she was so sure of this moment. Like she had practiced time and time again. “Is it bec
Selene's POVI sat across the table from Tom and his lawyer.The morning had passed in a blur; between having to slip out in the middle of work and my jittery nerves, I was on edge for quite a while.Tom looked fine.He relaxed into the chair; his chin rested on his knuckles.His eyes were on me.H
Rowland’s POV I didn’t go to work today. My mind spiraled. I hated seeing Selene look that way. She looked so fragile, so pale. I walked to my wine cellar and popped open a bottle of champagne. I closed my eyes, savoring the feel of the alcohol going down my throat. How was I going to hel
Selene's POV."What do you want, Lisa?" I said through gritted teeth, hoping she would just walk away."Oh honey, don't be dramatic. This is where I come to eat. I should be asking you. I don't see you around." Her eyes moved to Rowland. "Or him."Rowland adjusted in his seat; his eyes never left m
Selene’s POV.Sophie left before sunrise. She was excited for the next phase in her life, and I couldn’t be happier for her.I braided Amira’s hair and got her prepared for school. Tom’s threat still lingered in my head. I pushed it as far back as I could.I had to resort to the school bus for Amir







