Con

CHAPTER 78

Elijah’s POV

+15 BONUS

I left Sophia’s apartment, feeling an emptiness that seemed to grow with each passing second. I thought we were making progress, but clearly, Daniel still held a place in her heart that I couldn’t touch.

When I reached my car, I heard a ping from my phone. I quickly grabbed it, hoping it was Sophia.

But it was a message from Julia:

Is it true Serena has a child?

My brows furrowed as I read the message. What was Julia talking about? I quickly typed back:

What do you mean?

Within seconds, another message came through. It was a photo of Serena on the street, holding hands with a little girl. Julia’s message followed.

Is the girl in the photo Serena’s daughter?

I stared at the picture, my heart racing. Serena was wearing a black hooded jacket, and in the background, I recognized the familiar sign of Bread Brothers Bakery. My heart skipped a beat as I remembered the conversation we had with Serena earlier, and the surveillance footage we’d seen at the school.

Where did you see this? I texted back, my fingers trembling.

Julia responded almost immediately.

I was at the bakery buying bread. Saw them just outside.

A sense of urgency gripped me. I had to know what was going on. I dialed the police, my mind racing with a million thoughts. Immediately I reported what I had found out and sent them the photo from Julia. They said they would look into it and investigate Serena,

After ending the call, I grabbed my keys and rushed out of the house, heading straight to Serena’s place.

Upon arriving there, I tried to remain calm. But when she opened the front door, twanted to shake her and demand to know where she’d taken Reese.

“Elijah, what are you doing here?” she asked, wide–eyed, her voice filled with uncertainty.

I held up my phone, showing her the photo. “Serena, we need to talk. Now.”

Serena blocked the doorway, shaking her head. “Where did you get that? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You don’t know?” I took a step forward angrily, making sure she understood I wasn’t backing down. “I can’t believe you’d stoop this low, Serena!”

Before she could respond, a small voice piped up from inside. “Uncle Elijah?”

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I looked past Serena and saw Reese standing in the hallway, her eyes lighting up when she saw me. Hey, Reese,” I said, my voice softening instantly. “Come here. We’ve been looking for you.

Serena moved to block my view again, but it was too late. Reese had already run to me, wrapping her tiny arms around my legs. I picked her up gently, feeling a mix of relief and anger. “Are you okay?” I asked the little girl, hugging her gently and feeling roller–coaster emotions in my heart as I realized that this child could really be my own, and she was almost hurt and lost.

“I can explain,” Serena started, but I cut her off.

“Explain what? How you take Reese away from her mother? How you lied to everyone?” My voice rose, unable to keep the anger from spilling out. “The police are on their way, Serena. I’m going to charge you with child abduction. I know everything you’ve done, and I have all the evidence I need.”

Her fate paled, and she opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Finally, she managed,” Elijah, please, listen to me. It’s not what you think.”

“I don’t need to listen to anything.” I snapped. “I’ve heard enough lies and I’ve had enough of you! You’re going to pay for this!”

Serena’s jaw dropped and I saw her lips quiver. At least she seemed to be afraid. She should be!

Reese shifted in my arms, her small fingers clutching my shirt. “I’m so tired and sleepy.”

softened my tone instantly. “It’s okay, Reese. You can rest now.” I held her close, feeling her body relax as she drifted off to sleep.

Serena reached out a hand, tears streaming down her face. “Please, Elijah, just hear me out.”

I stepped back and shook my head. Reese was asleep in my arms, her tiny head nestled against my chest. Serena’s voice cut through the evening stillness, her tone edged with desperation.

“Elijah, you have to believe me! Someone else made me do it!”

I shook my head, my patience worn thin. “Serena, I don’t care about your excuses. This is about Reese’s safety now.”

Just then, the flashing red and blue lights of a police car illuminated the street. Two officers stepped out, their expressions stern as they approached us.

“Serena Foster?” one of them asked, glancing between us.

Serena’s eyes widened, and she took a step back. “Please, you have to understand, I was threatened!! had no choice!”

“Ma’am, please.come with us,” one of the officers said sternly, taking Serena with him. “You can explain at the police station.”

Serena had no choice but to go with them. I glared at her as she climbed into the police car.

-Reese was safe, at least for now. But I still needed to reach Sophia. I pulled out my phone and dialed

her number again, my heart pounding with each unanswered ring.

“Come on, Sophia, pick up,” I muttered under my breath. In my mind, I was worried about Sophia. Why had she told me that Daniel had found Reese? Was that the message she received? Where is the now and why isn’t she answering her phone?

“Damn it,” I cursed, my worry for Sophia intensifying. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. With Reese’s safety at the forefront of my mind, I decided to take her to the hospital for a checkup, just to be sure.

The drive to the hospital was a blur, Reese remained asleep, her breathing soft and steady. When we arrived, I carried her into the emergency room, the bright lights and antiseptic smell greeting us.

“I need to have my daughter checked out,” I told the nurse at the front desk. “She’s been through a lot tonight.”

The nurse nodded and directed us to a waiting area. As we walked through the corridor, a commotion caught my attention. A hospital bed was being wheeled past us, a patient lying motionless on it. For a fleeting moment, I thought I saw a familiar face, but with everything happening, I dismissed it.

“Elijah,” the nurse called, drawing my attention back to her. “A doctor will see you shortly.”

I nodded, adjusting Reese in my arms. As we waited, my thoughts raced. I needed to find Sophia, but for now, Reese was my priority. The uneasy feeling lingered, though, like a shadow that refused to fade.

Unbeknownst to me, just down the hall, the unconscious figure on the hospital bed was Sophia.

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