The Hidden Pain

28. Finding her

𝐗𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕

Bella vanished into thin air, as if she never existed. It’s been hours since she walked out of the house—after shooting me. Twice.

The physical pain is sharp, yes—my ankle and knee are bandaged and taken care of—but it’s nothing compared to the ache her absence leaves behind.

She had a gun. A real one. And she used it like it was second nature—no hesitation, no flinch. Like violence lived in her bones. Like she’d done it before.

It’s dark now. Our men along with—Leo, Luca, Alex—are combing the streets, trying to trace a ghost. Alex already called Grandfather. They’re on their way, moving fast.

And all I can do is sit here, wounded and useless, wondering where she disappeared like that—and why it hurts so damn much.

Memories flood back into my mind—like the very first time the ache in my chest began to intensify.

—

I was four, just fifteen days away from turning five. It was an ordinary morning in our house. I woke up next to Xavier, who was still fast asleep.

I glanced around our room. All of us—the boys—shared the same space, with bunk beds lining the walls. Alex was already up, as usual, probably off with Mom and Dad.

I climbed down, ready to go join them.

I’m not a morning person, but these days, I like waking up early—just to see the angel.

Yeah, you heard that right. An angel.

We have a tiny, beautiful angel in the house now. She sleeps with Mum, eats with Mum, sits with Mum—basically, she’s always clinging to her.

She’s adorable. When I first saw her at the hospital, she was sleeping so quietly. She came out from Mumma’s belly… but how? How can someone come out of someone’s belly?

Will someone come out of mine one day too?

Dad said she’s my little sister, and that all of us—my brothers and I—have to protect her and keep her above everything else.

To be honest, I didn’t understand most of what he said. But even then, I knew one thing for sure—she’s precious. Very precious.

She calls me Xan. Besides Mum, I’m the only one she’s that clingy with—well, me and Luca. And honestly, I love the look on my other brothers’ faces when she doesn’t cling to them the same way.

She has big eyes just like Mum, a wide smile, and pink, chubby cheeks. She’s so beautiful. Just like Mumma.

I laughed as I climbed down from my bed, excited to see her—ready to tickle her and make her giggle. I rushed to Mum and Dad’s room, but it was empty.

Huh. Strange.

They’re probably in the backyard, I thought, heading there next. But it was empty too.

I searched every room in the house, one after the other. No sign of Mum. No sign of the angel.

Finally, I made my way to the entrance. That’s when I saw Dad and Alex standing there, both looking like they’d been running for miles—tired, breathless.

But something else caught my eye.

Dad looked... sad.

“Dad? Alex? What happened?” I asked, frowning. “I was looking for all of you, but I couldn’t find anyone. Anyway, where’s Mumma? And the angel? I want to see them.”