#50 A gleam of light in the darkness

The silence that fell on the living room after these words left Clara's lips was almost palpable. No one dared to speak, and we just stared at the middle-aged woman impatiently.
Clara's face was so solemn, but I could sense a hint of pain and guilt flickering inside her green eyes. She had stayed completely speechless after her statement. Clara seemed at a loss for words, leaving us wondering who could have kidnapped my daughter.
My brain was struggling to analyze her words. How come she managed to find out the people who kidnapped Lily before the police?
I was about to ask her to tell us what we all wanted to hear, but Sebastian's behavior stopped me from uttering a single word.
The billionaire walked towards his mother with three long strides. He grabbed her shoulders and shook her lightly.
"Talk!" Sebastian ordered in his commanding voice. He had clearly run out of patience, but this wasn't a proper way to treat his mother.
I exchanged a concerned look with Nickolas, and he gave me a brief nod.
"Sebastian, she's in shock. Just give her a moment," Nick tried to reason with his older brother.
Sophie came into the living room with a frown plastered on her face. She was about to question the reason for this sudden commotion when Sebastian started yelling.
"She fucking knows where my daughter is, and she doesn't tell us, Nick!" the billionaire hissed and turned to look at his brother.
"Sebastian, enough. Your yells and anger won't help us. Come here and let your mother calm down a bit. Sophie, please, bring a glass of water for Clara," I stated, and all of them looked at me like I had grown two heads.
"Evelyn, she's…" the billionaire managed to say before I abruptly interrupted him.
"Come here, and let her be," I repeated myself and opened my arms, showing that I wanted him to hug me.
Sebastian's face softened, and he strolled towards me. He looked at me doubtfully, but I just wrapped my arms around his waist and nuzzled my head on the crook of his neck. I felt him breathing hard as his arms caressed my back and hair lovingly.
We hadn't touched each other ever since I came back. But at that moment, I knew I was the only one who could make Sebastian relax. Besides, I needed his comfort to prepare myself for what was coming.
"We will find her, but you must stay calm. Can you do this for me, please?" I asked him quietly.
I felt him nodding, and then he pecked my hair lightly.
"I'm sorry," Sebastian mouthed quietly and breathed in my scent.
"There's no need to apologize. Just, please, keep your anger at bay. Lily needs us…"
"Okay, I promise," he said and leaned back to gaze at my face.
I smiled faintly at him, and he kissed my forehead softly.
"Guys, I'm sorry to interrupt, but I think my mother is ready to talk," Nickolas announced, gaining our attention.
We nodded and reluctantly parted to turn around and see what Clara had to say.
I had never seen her losing her self-confidence ever before, and watching her being so broken and sad scared me even more.
"I was talking with one of my friends on the phone about the latest gossip and the upcoming balls. Anyway, she told me that she saw Janine leaving her mansion. Apparently, Janine will stay out of town for the whole winter season, and she's taking a little girl with her," Clara said. Her eyes were cast at her fidgeting hands since she didn't dare to look at us.
Was that little girl my daughter?
Had Janine kidnapped Lily?
"But Janine doesn't have any other children nor grandchildren…" Nickolas muttered in confusion.
"Yes, that's why my friend found it weird. When she asked her about the kid, Janine introduced the young girl as her granddaughter," Clara replied, and a small sob escaped her lips.
"Are you sure it's Lily?" Sebastian questioned her.
Clara nodded and inhaled deeply. "The description my friend gave me about the child matches perfectly Lily's. She said the girl is around three years old, with curly blonde hair and blue eyes. I sent her a photo of Lily, and she verified that this was indeed the child Janine had with her," Clara confirmed.
A gasp escaped my lips, and I turned to look at Sebastian with wide eyes.
Why on earth did this wicked woman abduct my daughter?
"I'm going to kill her!" Sebastian seethed.
"Sebastian, please. Just breathe…" I prompted him, taking his hand in mine.
The billionaire clenched his jaw and gazed at his mother, who continued talking.
"It's my fault. During one of the parties, I showed a few photos of the honeymoon Nickolas and Sophie sent me. In some of them, Evelyn and Lily were also present. When they asked me about you and the kid, I told them Lily was my granddaughter," Clara said, looking at me apologetically.
"And how is this related?" Nickolas questioned, frowning.
"Janine saw these photos. She somehow learned about Evelyn's and Olivia's connection shortly after Evelyn left. She confronted me back then, but I denied her claims. We hadn't spoken since then, except some necessary greetings," Clara told us. She was obviously blaming herself for what had happened.
Silence fell in the living room, and I could swear my heartbeat could be heard.
"This is insane…" I muttered and tried to hold back the tears that threatened to run down my cheeks.
"Clara, do you know where Janine might have gone with Lily?" Sophie asked anxiously.
We all turned to look at Clara, but she just shook her head, shattering the tiny hope that crept inside our hearts.
At least we now knew who had abducted my daughter. Undoubtedly, the police could investigate this lead and find this woman in no time.
"I know where they are," Sebastian suddenly exclaimed, and I turned to look at him with wide eyes.
"You know where they are?" Nickolas echoed.
"Janine used to take Olivia in a small town every year for the winter break. Liv loved this place. Janine must have taken Lily there," Sebastian said, looking resolute.
"Do you know where this place is?" I managed to ask him.
"Yes, I do," he replied, staring at my eyes.
I simply nodded, and he took my hand as we both stood up at the same time.
"Sebastian, don't you dare go there just by yourself," Nickolas yelled and tried to block our way.
"It's my daughter, Nick. There's no way I'm gonna sit here waiting…"
"We must inform the police. We can't just take the law in our hands," Nick retorted.
"I'll send you the address from the car. You can inform the police," Sebastian stated and dragged me towards the front door.
We heard Nickolas sighting before he spoke once again.
"Sebastian, I'm calling the detectives, and then I'll follow you. Just don't do anything reckless, okay?" he said, worry lacing his voice.
The billionaire nodded and led me out of Nick's house and towards his car.
Once in the car, Sebastian put an address on the GPS and fired the engine. He then asked me to forward the details to his brother as he sped towards our destination.
I've been in the car with Sebastian many times before, but I never saw him driving like that. It was like the Devil was hot on our tails. He maneuvered the car swiftly, ignoring the traffic lights and the driving rules. The traffic was at its peak, and a series of curses left Sebastian's lips once we were stuck at a traffic light.
"Sebastian, I'd rather reach our destination safely," I told him, only to earn a glare from him.
We hadn't stayed solely in each other's presence since the day I returned. It was a bit awkward, but, to be honest, it could be much worse.
"So, you were in Mykonos all these years?" the billionaire questioned when we started moving again.
"Everything started in Mykonos, and I wanted to raise Liliana there. However, we stay in Athens during the winter months," I replied, letting my mind slip back to these carefree times.
"You kept moving around all the time?" Sebastian asked and looked at me with the corner of his eyes.
"When we left the States, we stayed in England and then in France for a few months before settling down in Greece. It isn't easy to spend wintertime on a Greek island, especially when you have a child. Besides, that way, it wouldn't have been that easy for you to track us down."
"Why would I want to find you, Evelyn?" Sebastian exclaimed.
I turned to look at him, stunned by his question. My lips opened and closed many times, but no words left my mouth.
Didn't he love me anymore?
Had he forgotten about me?
I thought I could still see some love and affection in his eyes, but maybe I didn't know him that well. Perhaps, I had been tricked once again to believe something that wasn't real.
"The last time I saw you, you asked me to stay away from you if there is truly a trace of love for you inside my heart. And that's what I did, Evelyn. I stayed away from you because I desperately love you," Sebastian continued in a passionate voice.
A shiver ran down my spine as his words sank in.
For all these years, had he stayed away because he had chosen to respect my wish?
For all these years, had he never looked for me only to prove his love and affection?
For all these years, had he left me free because I asked him to stay away?
I clearly remember our conversation. It's just I never expected that Sebastian would have taken my words so seriously. I didn't regret what I've asked him to do because, in my opinion, it was the best for my broken soul. I wanted to stay away from him, and I craved that peace I found back in Greece. I didn't want to be a part of the high society the Leclair family belonged to. An ordinary life with my beautiful daughter and a man who loved me was more than enough for me…
After hearing his thoughts, I felt like I was the villain in this situation, and I had no idea what to reply to him.
Sebastian had changed, and it took me so long to realize that...
"What on earth was that useless doctor doing with you?" the billionaire asked since I hadn't said anything after his revelation.
I turned around to glare at him. He had no right to question my decisions nor speak ill about Owen.
"It's not your business, Sebastian," I hissed through gritted teeth.
"Oh, it clearly is when another man was with my daughter and my beloved for three years!"
And here we go again. The possessive, ruthless billionaire was back.
"You shouldn't care about what happened between Owen and me since we had broken up."
"Evelyn, I don't wanna fight with you, but can you at least answer my question? I have every right to know," Sebastian said and sent me a glare.
A sigh escaped my lips, and I rolled my eyes at him.
"Nothing happened between Owen and me. We're just friends, and he's Lily's uncle. He didn't take your place. I wouldn't have let anyone do that. You're Lily's father, Sebastian," I replied truthfully.
He remained silent, even though I knew he had so many things to ask me. And so did I, but I didn't know where to begin.
"You didn't just hurt my feelings with your words and actions, Sebastian. I felt betrayed and broken. I just wanted to stay away from you," I muttered after a few moments of silence.
We had left New York behind and were driving at full speed on the highway.
"I know, Evelyn, and I'm sincerely sorry. I had to lose you to understand how much I love you. I blame myself for what happened to us, and my punishment was to stay away from you. But now, after all this, I know I can't let you go once again. I want you back…"
His words left me shocked. I wanted so badly to say the same, but something stopped me. I wasn't sure whether this was the appropriate time. We had to make sure Lily was safe and get her back.
"Sebastian, I… I think we should talk after everything is over," I whispered and cast my eyes outside the window.
I could see his change- the one Nick was trying so hard to explain to me. But I knew better than to let my feelings rule my mind and cloud my judgment. Lily needed me, and I must have a clear head to end this nightmare and get her back. Sebastian could wait. Our top priority was to ensure our daughter's safety. Then we could talk and see whether there was something left from our relationship that could be saved.
"Of course, my love, I understand," Sebastian replied, giving me a small smile. His eyes returned to the road, and then he asked me another question I didn't anticipate. "Can you tell me the most important events I missed from Lily's life?"
That was something I could do again and again. Besides, Sebastian deserved to learn everything about his daughter. I told him some of the most important things he had missed, or, to be more precise, I hadn't allowed him to experience.
The time passed by pleasantly as we laughed with Lily's mischiefs. Despite the pleasant atmosphere, tears filled my eyes as I imagined my life without Lily. I'd rather die than live without my daughter...
"I've missed so many things from her life. I'll be a stranger to her," Sebastian muttered with a bitter voice when I stopped talking.
"You still have so many things and first times to witness, Sebastian. Her first day at school, her first school play, the first time she'll drive a car, her first date," I replied, trying to brighten up his mood.
Sebastian frowned and turned to look at me. "I'm sure she won't ever talk to me when she learns that I castrated every single boy that dared to even look at her…"
I burst into laughter, even though I knew he wasn't joking about that matter. "Well, I'm sure that's something Lily doesn't have to know…"
"Don't worry, I'm sure she will already have more reasons to hate me," Sebastian shrugged.
"Oh, Sebastian, kids don't know what hate is. Children are only capable of love. Lily's going to love you once she meets you. You're her father. Your daughter will always love you unconditionally no matter what," I told him and gave him a reassuring smile.
Sebastian heaved a sigh and accelerated the car's speed. Something was bothering him, but he seemed reluctant to voice his concerns.
"Will she love me even though I broke her mommy's heart?" the billionaire asked, and his grey eyes bore into mine.
His pain and regret were evident in his grey irises, making a shiver run down my spine.
"I want to believe that you've changed, and you won't make the same mistake twice. We were both too broken, and maybe that's why it didn't work, Sebastian. As long as you won't hurt her and you love her, she will be blessed to have a father like you," I told him, and I meant each and every word that left my lips.
Sebastian had changed, and I could now see it in his eyes. These grey orbs never lied to me. He'd do everything to protect Lily and me now that we were back into his life. That should have scared me, especially when we didn't know what to expect from our upcoming encounter with Janine…