Chapter 53

Rudolf's POV
Second, we decided to contact Mikayla’s friends one by one. This dark day felt heavy, but deep in my heart, the hope of finding Mikayla continued to burn.
We began our journey, visiting places we had not noticed before, hoping to find a clue that could lead us to her. I knew that finding Mikayla was my top priority, and I wouldn’t stop until we were reunited.
“Rudolf, what about your children?” Hannah asked, studying my expression as we continued our search.
“They’re fine. They’re at school and I’ll pick them up this afternoon,” I replied, trying to convince myself that everything would be fine even though deep down, I felt anxious.
“How about I watch your kids for a while?” she suggested, and I felt a jolt of surprise at her offer.
“What do you mean, Hannah?” I asked, a little hesitant. I appreciated that she wanted to help, but I couldn’t help but think about what it would mean for her to watch my kids.
“I mean, if you’re too busy looking for Mikayla, maybe it would be better if I watch them for a while. That way, you can focus on your search without having to worry about them,” she explained, seeming sincere in her intentions.
I pondered her offer. On the other hand, it was a good idea. If Hannah could watch the kids while I devoted my full attention to the search, it could speed up the process. On the other hand, there was a sense of trepidation about entrusting my kids to someone else, even if it was my ex-girlfriend.
“Are you sure you can do it? They need support right now, and I don’t want them to feel lost,” I said, trying to keep my mind clear.
“Yes, I’m sure. I’ll take good care of them. It can also give them some peace of mind, and I’ll keep you updated on their situation,” she replied, showing how serious she was about helping.
Finally, after thinking for a moment, I nodded. “Okay, if it makes things easier, I’ll take you up on your offer. But I want to make sure they’re comfortable and not isolated. Can you promise to cheer them up?”
“Of course! I’ll make sure they’re safe and happy. We can do some fun activities together, and I’ll let you know everything that happens,” she replied enthusiastically.
“Thank you, Hannah. That really helps,” I said, feeling a little relieved. With this, I could focus more on finding Mikayla without worrying about the kids.
With mixed feelings, we continued with our plan. Hopefully, this decision will give me new hope in my search and find Mikayla as soon as possible.
Hannah and I finally decided to take a break and eat at a restaurant. The atmosphere inside was warm and friendly, making me forget a little about the worries that weighed on my mind.
“Rudolf, do you remember when we used to eat here?” she asked, her smile bringing back old memories.
I was reminded of those times—the times when Hannah and I used to come here, laugh, and share stories. The sense of togetherness was sweet, but also painful, because it was all part of a past that was already gone.
“Yes, I remember,” I said softly, trying to recapture that nostalgia. “We used to come here after work, and we would always fight about who got to choose the food.”
Hannah chuckled, recalling the memories. “Yeah, and you always tried to convince me to try new, weird things!” she said, remembering how she sometimes felt pressured to try unusual foods.
In that conversation, it was inevitable that the memories of the past brought up mixed feelings in my heart. On one hand, I missed those memories—the togetherness filled with laughter and joy. But on the other hand, I knew that my life had changed, and the most important thing now was to find Mikayla and bring back that happiness.
“Rudolf, sometimes nostalgia can make us remember the good things from the past. But right now, we need to focus on the present and the future. What can we do to help find Mikayla?” she asked, pulling me back to reality.
“Yeah, you’re right. There’s no point in dwelling on the past. We need to think positively and find a way to move forward,” I replied, trying to rekindle my spirit.
The food arrived, and I tried to focus on the food in front of me. Though my heart was still filled with anxiety, Hannah’s presence brought some comfort. We could support each other and take the necessary steps to find Mikayla.
As we ate, we continued discussing our plan. We tried to strategize more strategically: who we would contact, where we would go, and how we would divide up the tasks.
With a growing sense of hope, I was grateful for this friend’s support. As the search continued to drag on, I couldn’t let the memories of the past get in the way. Mikayla meant everything to me, and I wasn’t going to stop looking for her until we were reunited.
Until the afternoon, even though I had tried hard to find information and contact Mikayla's friends, I had not gotten satisfactory results. I knew that time was ticking, and the worry in my heart was getting deeper. With full hope, I went to pick up my children from school.
As soon as they saw me, their faces lit up with joy, "Daddy!" Emma and Daniel shouted in unison, running towards me.
I immediately hugged them tightly, feeling their warmth and love in these difficult times. "How was your day, honey?" I asked, trying to keep a smile even though my heart felt heavy.
"Okay, Papa! But we're worried about Mama," Daniel said in a worried tone, and that made my heart feel even more depressed.
Hannah who was standing beside me smiled softly, but I knew the children needed an explanation. "Emma, Daniel, this is Hannah. She is Daddy's friend who came to help look for your mother," I said, conveying the information while hoping the children would understand.
However, the reaction I received was different from what I expected. "We don't want it! We don't want another woman!" Emma showed a refusal attitude, clearly visible on her face.