Chapter 52

Rudolf's POV
I could only wait patiently, keeping my hope alive, praying that she would be safe and come back. She is everything to me, and I will not let this uncertainty destroy my hope.
Suddenly, amidst the confusion and uncertainty that gripped me, Hannah appeared. Well, she was my ex-girlfriend, and even though I had not seen her for a long time, I felt a twinge of nostalgia when I saw her.
“Hello, Rudolf. You seem confused. Is there anything I can do to help?” she asked in a caring tone.
Hannah’s eyes showed empathy, but my heart was still filled with worry.
“Yes, my wife is missing,” I answered firmly, trying to convey the seriousness of the situation.
Her face changed to one of surprise at my words. “Oh no… I’m so sorry to hear that. When was the last time you saw her?” she asked, genuinely concerned about my well-being.
“Finally, this morning. I was at work, and she was supposed to be home, but when I got back, she wasn’t there, and everything just didn’t feel right,” I explained, my anxiety starting to creep back into me.
“I’ve looked everywhere and have now called the police for help,” I continued, my voice filled with desperation. “I should have done something…”
She listened intently, and I could see the sincerity in her eyes. Suddenly, another thought crossed my mind.
“Hannah, I know this may come out of the blue, but is there anything you can do to help me find Mikayla?”
Hannah paused for a moment, seemingly thinking. “Of course, Rudolf. I’ll help as much as I can. Let’s try to do a little investigating. I have some contacts who might be able to help us.”
Still feeling anxious, I nodded with renewed hope. “Thank you, Hannah. It means a lot to me. I just want to see her and make sure she’s safe.”
Having not seen her for so long, having Hannah willing to help brought a little peace to my heart. Even though our past wasn’t the sweetest, anything was possible now as long as I could get Mikayla back.
Hannah and I began a plan to find information that might bring us closer to finding my wife.
“Thank you for helping me today,” I said to Hannah as we parted ways.
“You’re welcome, Rudolf. I’m glad I could help,” she replied sincerely, seeing that I truly appreciated the help she had given me.
After that, I immediately went home, realizing that I had not picked up the children. It was almost night, and worry crept back into me. When I arrived at school, I saw them standing waiting in front of the building. The expressions on their faces made my heart ache.
“Where’s Mom, Dad? Why are you late?” Emma asked, her eyes red and wet. Daniel beside her looked sad, tears still pooling in his eyes.
“I’m sorry, honey. Your mom is at a friend’s house, and I’m late picking you up from school. I didn’t mean to keep you waiting,” I replied gently. It was hard to explain to them, but I had to do it.
“We were worried. Did something happen to Mom?” Daniel asked in a fearful tone.
“Yes, Mom is fine. There are just a few things to do, and I’m sure she’ll be back soon. We can wait at home and do something fun together,” I said, trying to reassure them.
Hearing my words, they seemed to calm down a little, but I could tell the worry was still deep in their hearts. I pulled them close and hugged them lovingly, giving them the little bit of reassurance they needed.
“Now, let’s go home. We can make some food or watch a movie together. How about it?” my offer lifted their spirits again.
“Yes!” they answered in unison, and the dark mood slowly began to brighten.
On the way home, I couldn’t stop thinking about Mikayla’s condition. Thinking about what she might be going through made my heart even heavier. But on the other hand, I also had a responsibility to take care of our children and make them feel safe.
When I got home, I helped them get dressed and get ready for the evening. It felt strange without Mikayla, but I tried hard to stay positive so that the children wouldn’t feel the anxiety that was gripping me.
“Do you remember the sound of Mommy’s laughter?” I asked, trying to bring back fond memories. They nodded, and I could see a little smile appear on their faces.
By preparing food and turning on a movie, I hoped to create a warm moment in the midst of my anxiety. No matter what, I was determined to find Mikayla and bring her back home, where she belonged—with us, as a family.
The next day, I set out to find Mikayla again, full of hope and determination. This time, I wasn’t alone. Hannah was there to help me, and I was grateful for her presence.
“Have you heard from your wife, Rudolf?” she asked, studying my face with empathy.
I shook my head, anxiety creeping back into me. “No. I haven’t heard anything. I’ve contacted the police, but they haven’t found any trace of her.”
Hannah nodded, seeming to understand how heavy I felt right now. “Don’t worry. We’ll look together. There might be a clue that the investigation missed,” she said enthusiastically, and her words brought a little relief.
“Thank you, Hannah. I don’t know what I’d do without you here,” I said sincerely, feeling a deep sense of gratitude. She had been a great help, and we could count on each other in situations like this.
“Okay, what’s your plan going forward?” she asked, ready to help strategize.
I outlined a few plans in my head. “First, we can start by going to her closest friends. Maybe they have some useful information. After that, we can go to places she usually frequents—cafes, parks, or even shops. If she goes to those places, hopefully, we can find something,” I explained, trying to stay calm even though my heart was pounding.
Hannah agreed with my plan, “That’s a good idea. We can’t miss any opportunity. Let’s start with her closest friends first.”