Corazón

⁰²⁰ : 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙲𝚊𝚌𝚘𝚙𝚑𝚘𝚗𝚘𝚞𝚜 𝙽𝚘𝚒𝚜𝚎

Seventeen years earlier, in a world drenched in innocence and familial love, a young Suzette, merely seven years old, sat in the back seat of the family car. Her curious eyes, bright with wonder, scanned her surroundings as she voiced her inquisitiveness.

"Mommy, where are we going now?" she queried, her voice carrying the blend of youthful innocence and curiosity that was the hallmark of childhood.

Beside her, Sophie, her mother, occupied the seat next to Léonard, who held the steering wheel with steady hands. Today had been a day of family bonding, a cherished date at one of Paris's most exquisite and expensive restaurants. After indulging in a sumptuous dinner, Suzette felt contentment coursing through her, with no desire to venture anywhere beyond the comforting embrace of home.

A reassuring smile graced Sophie's lips as she responded to her daughter's question. Her eyes, tender and loving, met Suzette's gaze through the rearview mirror. "Don't worry, we are heading home, my dear, and nowhere else," she assured, her voice a soothing melody that wrapped Suzette in warmth and security.

The tranquil serenity of the moment was briefly interrupted by the soft patter of raindrops against the car windows. The family nestled within the vehicle, cocooned in their shared contentment. Then, an unexpected intrusion pierced the tranquility-a phone call that rang insistently, shattering the cocoon of silence.

Suzette, her curiosity piqued, leaned forward, her wide, curious eyes riveted on her father and the phone. She couldn't fathom why her father hadn't answered the call, even as it continued to ring ceaselessly.

Léonard, navigating the rain-slicked roads with unwavering concentration, shot quick glances toward his phone as it continued its persistent clamor. Sophie, seated beside him, was equally intrigued by the unexpected interruption.

"Who could be calling you at this hour?" she inquired, her curiosity mirroring that of her daughter, as they collectively faced the enigma of the incessantly ringing phone.

At the tender age of seven, Suzette possessed a keen sense of perception, one that allowed her to glimpse the hidden emotions etched across her father's face. Despite his attempts to conceal it, the mask of fear he wore was plain for her to see, a disconcerting revelation for the young girl.

In a swift and decisive move, Léonard seized the phone and, with a sense of urgency that betrayed his anxiety, powered it off completely. The abruptness of his actions was mirrored in the force with which he depressed the accelerator pedal, causing both Sophie and Suzette to instinctively clutch the leather seats, their knuckles whitening as they fought to maintain stability.

"Hubby, please, slow down!" Sophie urgently implored as the car careened, a sudden jolt to the right sending them hurtling precariously. The sensation of being thrown off balance was a stark reminder of their vulnerability.

Léonard's response was laden with palpable fear, his voice trembling as he uttered words that sent shivers down Sophie's spine. "They are coming after us," he declared, his words pregnant with dread. His statement hung ominously in the air, a chilling harbinger of impending danger.

In the heart-stopping moments that followed, everything seemed to blur and slow down, an eerie calm preceding an impending storm. Sophie's gaze was riveted on her husband, who swiveled his head to address their daughter, his eyes fixed on the car trailing them, a searing intensity in his gaze.