Chapter 33

Rudolf's POV
When the meeting was over, I still tried not to sound overwhelmed. I remained committed to leading well until the meeting was over. But once we parted ways, that’s when I felt free to breathe again.
Quickly, I grabbed my phone and tried calling Mikayla again. The sound of a ringing tone filled the air, but again there was no answer. Frustration was building in me, and I could feel the panic starting to rise.
A decision had to be made. I couldn’t sit around waiting for news. Without hesitation, I called Leo. “Leo, I need help. It’s urgent. There’s something wrong with my family, and I can’t reach Mikayla or the kids,” I said as the line connected.
Leo listened intently, and I could tell he understood the intent behind the helpless voice. “Yes, sir. I will immediately help contact the authorities and find a way to reach them,” she replied.
In my heart, I had hope that we would find a way to reunite with my family. Without giving up, we would try to resolve this issue and return them safely.
However, there was still a part of me that felt incomplete. Amidst all the business talk, my inner voice reminded me that my family’s well-being was my top priority.
As the meeting was almost over, I asked permission to take a short break. I hurriedly grabbed my phone and tried to call Mikayla again. The ringing tone rang repeatedly, but there was still no answer.
The uncertainty made me feel trapped. My mother and children were my life, and I had to try to get news from her. “Hopefully today will bring good news,” I muttered to myself, still hoping to hear from Mikayla soon. “Please forgive my busy schedule, but our family will always be our most important thing.”
Taking a deep breath, I returned to the meeting room hoping to still face everything as best as possible, putting all my anxious feelings about my family in a more orderly place. We had to move forward, but the thought that they might be in danger still haunted me.
After the meeting, I immediately headed to Mikayla's house, traveling for about two hours with mixed feelings that were getting crazier. Worrying about Mikayla and the children made every second feel longer.
When I finally arrived, I was shocked to see the anxious and angry expression on Mikayla's face. "You just got here, Rudolf! What did you do? Emma is missing, she was kidnapped!" Her tense and desperate voice echoed in the house.
Hearing that, my heart felt like it was being crushed. "Mikayla, calm down..." I said, trying to calm her who looked scared. "Tell me everything. We'll find a way to find Emma."
She looked frustrated, tears starting to flow down her cheeks. "I've tried calling you so many times! There's nothing I can do until you come. I don't know what to do!" She lowered her head and held the young Daniel in her arms.
I moved closer, gently putting my hand on her shoulder. “Mikayla, I’m here now. Let’s take a deep breath and try to calm ourselves down. We can get help,” I said, trying to ease the tension. “She’s going to be okay, and we’re going to find her.”
I felt like nothing was more important than Emma’s life. It wasn’t going to be easy, but I knew we’d get through it together.
“I’ll call the police and report it. We can also get help from friends or anyone who can help,” I said, turning on my now-charged phone. “Tell me the details you know. Who took her?”
Mikayla bit her lip, trying to gather the words. “I don’t know who he is, Rudolf. He came in and took Emma. I didn’t get to see his face, just the back of him,” she said, her eyes sparkling with sadness.
With determination, I began dialing the police number. “It’s time for us to take real action. We need to report all of this and provide accurate information. Every detail can help them find Emma.”
After reporting the incident, I turned my attention to Mikayla. “We also need to make sure Daniel is safe. He’s so young and doesn’t understand what’s happening. Let’s think about the next step,” I said, looking at Mikayla’s worried face.
Mikayla nodded, trying to stay calm for Daniel’s sake, while I took responsibility for figuring out what we could do next. We weren’t going to run from this; we were going to face the truth and find a way to bring Emma back to our arms.
That night, with a worried heart, I tried to meet the Moon Goddess alone on the shore. The waves lapped gently, and the moonlight reflected beautifully on the water’s surface. Amidst this tension, I hoped to find answers to my deep questions.
“Who really took my daughter, Moon Goddess?” I asked, my voice full of hope and worry. The atmosphere of the night felt even more magical, as if nature was responding to the sincerity of my intentions in this search.
The Moon Goddess emerged gently from behind the curtain of moonlight, her face gleaming like the moonlight reflecting off the ocean. She studied me with a knowing gaze, as if she already knew the restlessness inside me.
“Rudolf,” she replied in a soft, soothing voice. “Evil often arises from a dark heart. The one who took your daughter was the result of deep jealousy and dissatisfaction.”
I swallowed her words, feeling the weight on my shoulders increase. “But who is he? What is his reason? Why would he do such a thing?” I asked urgently, my heart trembling in panic.
The Moon Goddess stepped closer, the light of her face guiding me. “He is someone who has lost something precious, and now seeks it in the wrong way. In the darkness of his heart, he tries to take what should not be hers. Grief often leads to tragic and wrong actions.”
My ears absorbed every word the Moon Goddess said, but there was still something that was still stuck in my mind. “Is there a way to find Emma? Can I save her before it’s too late?” I tried to ask, hope like an ember that I tried to raise in the darkness.