Chapter 7
Frontcould tell Benedict was furious, even though he wasn’t showing it. A cold thread of fear coiled in his chest.
He kept his eyes down and answered honestly, “Mr. Fletcher, there’s still… no progress.”
No progress? Was the woman a ghost or something?
Benedict had been searching for her for four long years, but she was still nowhere to be found.
He traced the edge of the paper absently. His gaze dipped slightly, the cold lethality in his eyes just barely held in check
He’d already walled four years. What was a little more time? Sooner or later, he’d find her. And when he did, that woman would pay for everything.
Bụt right now, Murphy’s illness was the real problem
Benedict looked up, his eyes flicking to the side, “Bring Keita here.”
“Right away,
Mr. Fletcher.”
Ethan knew Benedict was growing impatient. Since they couldn’t find Taylor, Keira Baler was their only option.
The Bakers were a respected medical family, long connected to the
the Fletchers, and Keira herself was highly skilled. She’d practically helped raise Murphy
from childhood.
Murphy treated Keira with cold disdain, but her refined manners and gentle nature–a product of the Baker family’s elite upbringing–won Benedict over. He allowed her free access to the Fletcher residence.
But even after all these years, Murphy’s condition hadn’t gotten mich better. At this point, the best they could do was let Keira manage his symptoms. while they throw everything they had into finding Taylor.
Seeing no other option, Ethan left immediately to get things moving.
The Fletchers were frantically searching for Janelle, not knowing she’d already gotten home with Murphy,
After four years abroad, she’d put a lot of thought into her return. She’d bought a modest two–bedroom apartment in a regular Valoria neighborhood. It wasn’t huge, but it was warn and inviting.
Janelle pushed through the door and sank onto the couch with a satisfied sigh. She glanced back at Murphy, still hovering in the doorway, and a flicker of confusion crossed her face.
“Baby, why aren’t you coming in? Don’t you like our new home?”
It made sense that Janelle would think that.
After living in what felt like a palace overseas, this place must have been a letdown. It wasn’t surprising that she had a hard time adjusting.
Murphy stood stiffly, giving a slight shake of his head. “No… I like the place, Mommy.”
It was his first time at Janelle’s home, and he couldn’t shake the ease or the pang of sadness.
years. And still, she’d fought through every hardship
The place was tiny. It didn’t take much to figure out how much she must have struggled all these y just to get to him. It stirred something in his chest.
Jenelle had no idea what he was thinking, of course. She smiled at his words, stopped forward, and scooped him up before shutting the door behind her.
Her eyes crinkled warmly as she said, “I know it’s your first time here, and everything must feel strange. But once I wrap up my business and get settled in the country, we’ll move somewhere bigger. Sound good?”
Aflicker of light stirred in Murphy’s dim gaze. Did that mean she wouldn’t leave him behind again, no matter what?
He nodded eagerly, humming in response, his heart full of joy. Honestly, as long as Janelle was with him, he wouldn’t have minded sleeping on
thes
street.
Murphy’s nod filled Janelle with warmth. His understanding meant everything. But she noticed he wasn’t talking like he used to. His answers were getting shorter, and it was starting to worry her.
After all, Tiffany was usually a little chatterbox who lived for three things–eating, playing, and talking Keeping her from speaking was practically
torture.
Was she sick?
Janelle stroked Murphy’s hair with a worried look. “Are you feeling sick, baby? Did you get hurt?”
ik hadn’t occurred to her before, but the Fletchers had impenetrable security. There was no clunce Tittany slipped in without being noticed.
Benedict must’ve taken Tiffany too when he saw Janelle wasn’t budging. But Tillany was smart and managed to escape, just like Janelle had.
The more Janelle thought about it, the angrier she got. She seethed in silence, calling Benedict a heartless bastard in her head. What kind of person would go after a four–year–old just to get their way?
“Come here, baby. Let me take a look at you.”
Murphy clutched the hem of his shirt as Janelle reached for it, shaking his head. “Mommy, I’m not hurt. Everything’s okay ”
Janelle’s chest tightened. “Baby, he took you, too, didn’t he? Tell me the truth. You don’t have to say you’re fine if you’re not.”
Took him?
Murphy paused, his eyes clouding with confusion. He was the Fletcher heir, With Benedict’s power and influence in Hestovia, no one would be stupid enough to lay a finger on him, let alone try to take him
He shook his head. “Mommy, you’re overthinking it. No one would ever try to take me.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, no one would ever dare.”
Anyone who even considered it had to be out of their mind.
lanelle’s heart melted at Murphy’s unwavering confidence. She pulled him into a hug and planted a loud kiss on his cheek.
“I always knew you were amazing, baby! Confidence is great, and so is being smart and brave. But you’ve got to be careful, too. I’d be so worried and heartbroken U some terrible villain ever took you. You know that, right?”
Murphy wasn’t expecting the kiss. Heat rushed to his cheeks, spreading all the way to the tips of his ears. He looked endearingly flustered.
He hadn’t seen it coming, but he was thrilled. So, this was what a mother’s love felt like. The warmth she gave him was nothing like Benedict’s. “Yeah!” He nodded firmly.
Seeing Tiffany so unusually quiet and well–behaved made Janelle’s heart swell. Bringing her back to the country had definitely been the best decision. She’d changed so much already, acting more mature and levelheaded by the day.
Just then, the phone on the living room coffee table rang, sharp and insistent. Hannah’s name flashed on the screen.
Janelle slapped her forehead. She’d forgotten to call Hannah.
As soon as she answered, Hannah’s loud sobs came through the phone. “Janelle, I’m so sorry! Tiffany’s been missing for too long. What if she’s already
e country? You know how fast traffickers move. What do we do if something happens to her?”
out of the
Hannah’s loud wailing left lanelle between laughter and tears. “Stop crying. We found Tiffany!”
The sobbing stopped instantly.
Janelle couldn’t help but laugh. She passed the phone to Murphy. “Here, baby. It’s Hannahı” Murphy, confused, took it, “Hannah?”
“I’m here. Are you okay?” Hannah’s voice shook as she swiped at her tears. Then, frustration edged into her words. “Janelle, you idiot! You couldn’t even call ate after you found her? I was worried sield”
Janelle knew she was wrong and didn’t hesitate to admit it. “You’re right. My bad! She’s fine. I just got so caught up in finding her that I forgot about you.
Hannah had pulled herself together by now. She wiped the dried tear streaks from her face and nodded. “Okay. Now that Tiffany’s safe, I can finally relax. Got to go!”
Exasperated, Janelle found Hannah’s sudden mood swing an
amusing.
Sue checked the time and turned to Murphy. “It’s getting late, baby. Let’s get you all clean in Hae bath. Then, we’ll tuck in for the night.”
