Olivia sped through the crowded streets of London, her heart racing as she gripped the steering wheel. The city blurred around her-red double-deckers and black cabs mere streaks in her vision. Her thoughts were consumed by a single question: Where is Zivia?
Finally, she arrived at Alandra's townhouse in Kensington. She barely remembered parking the car before rushing to the front door and ringing the bell incessantly. Moments later, the door opened, and her four-year-old niece, Emma, stood there, her bright blue eyes lighting up at the sight of Olivia.
"Auntie Livia!" Emma squealed, wrapping her small arms around Olivia's legs.
"Hi, sweetheart," Olivia said, forcing a smile as she gently patted Emma's curly head. She crouched to meet her niece's gaze. "Is your mum home, darling?"
"She's upstairs!" Emma chirped. Then, as if she remembered something of utmost importance, she added, "Auntie Livia, guess what? I painted a butterfly today, and it's pink and blue, and Mummy said it's the bestest butterfly she's ever seen!"
"That's wonderful, Emma," Olivia said distractedly, glancing toward the staircase. Her worry for Zivia was like a vice around her chest, tightening with every second.
"You wanna see it?" Emma asked, tugging at Olivia's hand.
"Not now, love," Olivia said gently, trying to keep her voice calm. "Maybe later, okay? Can you be a good girl and play for a bit?"
Emma tilted her head, her face scrunching up in confusion. "Are you sad, Auntie Livia?"
Before Olivia could respond, Alandra appeared at the top of the staircase, dressed in casual loungewear. Her dark hair was tied up in a messy bun, and her expression shifted from curiosity to concern the moment she saw Olivia's pale face.
"Olivia? What's wrong?" Alandra asked, descending the stairs quickly.
Olivia stood up and placed a finger to her lips, signaling Alandra to keep quiet. She gestured toward Emma, who was now looking between the two adults with wide, curious eyes. Alandra understood immediately.
"Emma, sweetheart," Alandra said, crouching to Emma's level. "Why don't you go to your room and play with your dolls for a bit? Mummy and Auntie Olivia need to talk."
"But I wanna-" Emma started, her lower lip jutting out.
"Emma," Alandra said firmly but kindly. "You remember what we talked about? Big girls listen, don't they?"
Emma sighed dramatically, her little shoulders drooping. "Okay, Mummy. But only if Auntie Livia promises to see my butterfly later."
"I promise," Olivia said quickly, her voice tight.
Satisfied, Emma skipped off to her room, humming a tune to herself.
Once the door clicked shut, Olivia turned to Alandra, her composed facade breaking instantly.
"Zivia's missing!" she blurted out, her voice trembling.
"What?" Alandra gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. "What do you mean, missing? Where is she supposed to be?"
"At school! But she wasn't there when I went to pick her up!" Olivia's voice cracked as she paced the living room. "The teacher said-she said-" Olivia swallowed hard, trying to keep the panic at bay. "She said Zivia left early with someone who said he was her father."
Alandra's eyes widened. "That's impossible! Zack's out of the country, isn't he?"
"Exactly!" Olivia said, throwing her hands up. "He's in bloody Albania! So who took her, Alandra? Who?"
