Brought By Destiny

Chapter 11

The Vanishing

Michael’s POV:

It has been an entire week, and she hasn't called or reached out once. Honestly, I’m stunned by how much it stings. Ever since Lilly and Ryan left my house, the place has felt cavernous and empty. I can't shake the memory of those three days we spent together. I was still reeling from my breakup with Alice, but their presence made me forget all about the betrayal.

Today, I finally decided that if she wasn't going to reach out, I would.
I missed them too much to let pride get in the way. Since we had met on the streets, I didn't actually have her address, so I called Jazz. She immediately texted me the location.

My mother and Nathan are back home now. I told Mum I was heading out to see friends, though I still haven't told her the truth about Lilly or even that Alice and I broke up. She really liked Alice, and I’m just not ready for the "I told you so" or the pity.

When I reached Lilly’s house, she looked completely caught off guard. But Ryan? My little man looked overjoyed. He shouted that he missed me, well, in his own adorable, garbled way and I couldn't help but beam. Wait, did I just refer to him as "my baby"? Never mind that for now.

Lilly gave me a sheepish smile and let me in. Once we were settled, I asked if she had missed me. She looked pained, but I felt justified in my hurt; I had done so much for her, yet she hadn't bothered to check in. She apologized, and I knew she hadn't meant to be cold intentionally.

I decided to play along and told her I’d only forgive her if she shared the chicken curry she was making. God, the woman can cook. The aroma alone had been haunting my thoughts all week.

We spent the entire day together, and it was perfect. I didn't regret coming over for a single second. I finally left after dinner, feeling more at peace than I had in a long time.

However, while I was driving, I remembered a bag of toys I’d bought for Ryan that was still sitting in my backseat. I’d completely forgotten to give it to him. I immediately pulled a U-turn and drove back. I walked up to the front door, toys in hand, and rang the bell.

I rang three times. No response. Did they fall asleep already? I wondered. I had only been gone fifteen minutes. I looked around and noticed all the lights were still blazing. A knot of unease began to tie itself in my stomach. I tried the handle, and to my shock, the door swung open. She didn't lock it?

I stepped inside and saw a mess of dirt on the floor. The flower pot was standing upright, but a significant amount of soil had been scattered.

"Lilly? Lilly!" I called out. Silence.

"Lilly! Lilly!" I yelled louder, my heart starting to hammer against my ribs.

The living room was empty.
The kitchen was empty. I sprinted upstairs to the bedroom and found Ryan fast asleep in his bed. I let out a jagged breath of relief, but it was short-lived. I checked the bathroom, but she wasn't there either.

My worry was rapidly turning into a panicked rage. Where the hell was she?

I scooped Ryan up, blanket and all, and carried him out of the house. As I hurried toward the gate, my foot brushed against something metallic. I bent over and picked it up.

It was Lilly’s bracelet.

My mind went to the darkest places imaginable. I ran toward Jazz’s house and hammered on the door.

She opened it, looking startled.
"Michael? What are you doing back?" she asked.

"Jazz, there’s a problem. Lilly is in danger," I said breathlessly, transferring the sleeping Ryan into her arms. "Keep Ryan here. I’m going to the police station."

"What? Where is she? What happened?" she asked, her voice rising in panic.

"Honey, who is it?" Jack asked, appearing behind her. He saw my face and instantly grew serious.

"It’s Michael," Jazz told him, her voice trembling. "He says Lilly is in danger. He’s going to the cops."

"I’m coming with you," Jack said firmly. I nodded, grateful for the backup.

"Keep me posted!" Jazz called out as we ran to the car.

"Take care of the kids. I'll be back," Jack promised, giving her a quick kiss on the forehead.

We peeled away from the curb. My mind was a chaotic mess of guilt and anger. I shouldn't have let her stay alone. And Jordan... he promised her protection. What the fuck was he doing? I drove like a madman until we reached the station.

I barged through the doors, ignoring the officers who tried to stop me, and slammed into Jordan’s office.

"What kind of 'fucking protection' did you give my girlfriend?" I barked, looming over his desk.

Jordan stood up, looking bewildered. Two guards rushed in to grab me, but I shoved them off.

Jordan signaled for them to stand down. "Michael, calm down. Be clear. What’s happened?" he asked,

coming around the desk.
I took a sharp breath, trying to steady my voice. "Lilly has been kidnapped. She’s gone."

"What? That’s impossible," Jordan said, his voice dropping in shock.
"I have men stationed near her house at all times."

"Well, they failed," I snapped. "The door was wide open, she’s missing, and I found her bracelet on the ground near the gate."

"Don't worry, we'll find her," Jordan said, though he looked shaken. "Did she have her phone?"

"I don't know, I didn't check," I said, feeling a wave of defeat.

"I’m sure it’s Anthony," Jack added, his voice low and furious. "Who else would do this? That bastard is still out there."

"You’re right," Jordan said, placing a steady hand on my shoulder. "We will do everything we can. Just try to have some patience."

I couldn't respond. I just stood there, staring at the floor. Jordan began barking orders into his phone, and within minutes, the entire station was a hive of activity.

They were checking CCTV, tracking cell signals, and mobilizing units.
We waited for a ransom call, a message, anything. But the silence was deafening.

I sat there cursing Anthony’s name. If he laid a single finger on her, I swore I would kill him with my bare hands.

Suddenly, my phone vibrated in my pocket. It was an unknown number.