Chapter 33 The Fruitless Search After Disappearance

Seraphina's Perspective:

"Hey, you alright?" The nurse ahead noticed me wincing and rushed back, looking all worried.

I forced a grin through the pain, shook my head, and leaned against the wall, making my way to the stairwell. "I'm good. Probably just low blood sugar. I'll be fine after a quick break."

Once I hit the stairwell, I frantically called home. My hands were shaking so bad from nerves that I could barely hold the phone.

"Mom." As soon as the call connected, Saki's cheerful voice came through.

I felt a bit of relief.

"Mom, when are you coming home? I miss you so much." Saki's voice turned a bit grieved and subdued on the other end.

"Hang tight, sweetie. I'll be home after work. Is Lucas around?" I asked.

Just 'cause Saki stayed put didn't mean Lucas would. No matter how many times I told that troublemaker, Lucas never stopped sneaking out.

The uneasy feeling I had earlier was too strong. Something must've happened to my kid.

Saki's Perspective:

Lucas said he was gonna grab me some ice cream and be back soon, but I've been waiting forever and he still hasn't shown up.

Luckily, mom called right then. I happily asked her when she'd be back 'cause I missed her so much.

But then she suddenly asked where Lucas was, and I didn't know what to say.

I didn't wanna lie to mom, but I also promised Lucas I wouldn't snitch.

If mom found out Lucas snuck out again, she'd probably spank him.

"Saki, where's Lucas?" Mom's voice sounded even more anxious.

"He's at home..." My voice got all quiet 'cause I was lying.

Even though lying to mom was wrong, I didn't wanna see Lucas get spanked.

"Then let Lucas answer the phone," mom said.

I was stunned and didn't know how to respond. "Uh..."

Lucas wasn't home, so how could I let him answer the phone?

"Saki, lying isn't what good kids do. If you lie, I'll be mad!" Mom's voice sounded even angrier.

"But Lucas told me not to say anything." I was almost in tears.

I was scared of mom being mad and also scared of Lucas getting spanked.

"Sweetie, you listen to Lucas, and Lucas listens to me. So, shouldn't you also listen to me?" mom said.

"Yeah..." It made sense to me.

"Then tell me, where did Lucas go? I won't tell him you said anything, and I won't be mad at him, okay?" Mom's tone softened.

I finally felt relieved. "Lucas said he was gonna get me ice cream, but he's been gone for a long time," I said.

I hoped mom would understand that Lucas snuck out to get me ice cream and wouldn't be mad at me.

Seraphina's Perspective:

When I found out Lucas had snuck out again, I was both pissed and worried. That uneasy feeling from earlier? Yeah, it was back with a vengeance. Something had to be up with Lucas.

But Saki's a timid little thing, so I couldn't freak her out. I forced myself to chill and gently said, "Okay, I get it.

"Sweetie, stay home and be good. I'm gonna go find Lucas. Remember, don't open the door for anyone. If you do that, I'll take you and Lucas to the amusement park when we get back, okay?"

"Okay!" Saki, being a kid, got all excited about the amusement park and didn't think about anything else.

After calming Saki down, I headed to Barry's office.

"What are you doing here? Finished your work already?" Barry immediately put on his usual condescending look when he saw me.

I didn't have the energy to argue; finding Lucas was way more important!

"Sorry, I have a family emergency and need to take some time off," I said.

"It's your first day, and you already need time off? Stella, you're not bringing your A-game to work, are you?" Barry said coldly.

"Sorry! It's urgent," I insisted.

"I don't care what the issue is. If you can't fully commit, you shouldn't have applied. You need to understand that," Barry tapped his desk with his finger, looking at me with disdain. "There are plenty of people who want this job. If you're not prepared, others are!"

"Anyway, I have to leave now!" I knew Barry wouldn't let me go easily.

But compared to Lucas's safety, this job was nothing.

So, after finishing my last sentence, I turned to leave without waiting for Barry's reaction.

"Stella! Get back here!" Barry was so furious he slammed the desk and stood up, shouting at my retreating back, "You have no professional ethics!

"I will report your lazy work attitude. We don't need people like you here! You'll pay a terrible price for this!"

I didn't care about his threats and quickened my pace.

After leaving the hospital, I hit up all the ice cream shops Lucas liked, but none of the employees had seen him, and there was no sign he'd been there.

I even checked the less noticeable ice cream shops in the area, but still nothing, which made my already anxious heart even more frantic.

Lucas had vanished without a trace. Where could he have gone? Could he have been kidnapped?

The thought of that possibility sent a chill of terror through my body.

With a heart full of fear and anxiety, I took out my phone to call the cops.

"Stella?" 

Just then, I heard someone tentatively calling my name from behind.