Con

CHAPTER 81

+25 BONUS

CHAPTER 81

Sophia’s POV

“We were so worried about you, Sophia!” Kayla exclaimed. “How are you feeling now?”

“I’m good,” I answered with a little smile, taking my eyes off Elijah. “I was fortunate enough to have been found by good people.” I quickly explained how Adrian brought me to the hospital for a checkup and how he and his sister Amanda had taken care of me while recuperated.

Kayla smiled at them.

But then, I moved forward and clutched her hand, “But what happened to Reese? I’ve been desperate to find out, to get out of here and resume my search for her…”

The fear for my daughter surged through me like a tidal wave, overpowering the pain.

Elijah stepped forward then, his face serious but calm. “Reese is safe. We found that same day when you disappeared. She doesn’t seem to remember much about what happened, which is a good thing. She’s not traumatized at all because she isn’t aware that a kidnapping happened.”

“She’s been asking about you, though,” Kayla said. Now that I looked at her closely, I could see that there seemed to be dark circles under her eyes. She must not have been sleeping well, looking for me!

“What did you say?”

“I just told her you had some work to do for a few days Kayla explained. “And I’ve been staying at your apartment with her, along with her nanny too.” She glanced at Elijah. “Elijah has also been visiting her everyday.”

Relief washed over me, and tears sprang to my eyes. Thank you, Elijah. Thank you, Kayla,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “I’m so sorry. I received a text message from the kidnapper telling me to come to the beach alone, or else Reese could be harmed! I was afraid to tell you or the police because I had to protect her.”

Kayla looked surprised for a while, but then she reached out and squeezed my hand. “We understand, Sophia. You did what any mother would do.”

Elijah nodded in agreement, but there was a tension in his eyes. He and Kayla exchanged a meaningful glance, and my heart sank.

“What is it?” I asked, my voice trembling. “What aren’t you telling me?”

Elijah took a deep breath. “I’m just remembering how worried we were about you, Sophia. But anyway, what matters right now is that you and Reese are safe!

“Yes, you’re right,” I agreed. Reese must be missing me so much by now. I couldn’t wait to hold her in my arms again, to feel her–little fingers clutching mine. “We have to go. I really need to see her now.”

Elijah nodded and began leading me out the door. But just then, I heard Adrian’s voice.

“So, you’re just leaving without saying thank you?” His tone was sharper than I’d ever heard it before, stopping me in my tracks.

I turned around, surprised to see him standing there with a defiant glint in his eyes. Adrian, the young man

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CHAPTER 81

+25 BONUS

who had taken me in when I was unconscious at the beach, had always been kind and supportive, more like a younger brother than anything else. I realized then that I hadn’t properly thanked him for all he had

done.

“Oh, Adrian,” I said, walking back toward him. “I’m so sorry. Thank you so much for everything. I really appreciate all of it. I appreciate you and Amanda.”

He crossed his arms, looking somewhat mollified but still a bit pouty. “It’s just… it’s like you forgot about me already,” he muttered.

I reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder, giving him a sincere smile. “Oh, I’m sorry. You know how desperate I was to see my daughter again! But you’ve been amazing, really.”

His expression softened, but he still looked a little sulky. Just then, Kayla and Elijah walked up. “Guys, this is Adrian,” I introduced, motioning toward him, realizing I had not yet introduced them. “He’s the one who found me and took care of me when I was unconscious on the beach.

Kayla extended her hand first, her bright smile lighting up her face. “Nice to meet you, Adrian. Thank you for looking out for Sophia.”

Adrian shook her hand, his demeanor shifting slightly under her warm gaze. “It’s nothing,” he said, but could see he was pleased.

Elijah gazed at him doubtfully. I could see the suspicious expression on his face. “It seems odd that you were there at the right time, just when Sophia got hurt on the head,” he mused, giving Adrian a puzzled, curious look.

“Did you not see anyone else?”

“No,” Adrian answered, looking annoyed and insulted. “What are you insinuating?”

“Just that it’s such amazing timing on your part,” Elijah replied. “What were you doing there?”

“I don’t have to explain myself to you!” Adrian said defiantly. Kayla and I exchanged worried glances. We could definitely feel the increasing tension in the air.

Elijah scoffed. “Or perhaps you don’t want to because you don’t have an explanation that wouldn’t prove you weren’t involved in all this somehow.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Adrian was now obviously angry.

He took a menacing step forward, but Elijah didn’t back down. “Were you working with Serena? What was your real intention with Sophia?”

Adrian’s face darkened. “I don’t know any Serena, and only helped Sophia,” he said through gritted teeth. “I’m not going to stand here and be accused of something I didn’t do!”

“Elijah, stop it,” I pleaded, stepping between them. “We don’t know that. And I really don’t think Adrian was involved in getting me harmed or in the kidnapping of my daughter.”

Adrian shook his head, his voice low and furious.

“I’ve had enough of this nonsense. Sophia, you and your friends need to leave. Now.”