Chapter 7 – Where Is She?
I paced the living room like a madman.
My fists were clenched, my heart pounding hard in my chest.
“How dare she?” I muttered under my breath. “Leave like that… with some man? Without a word?”
I was convinced she was cheating on me.
That’s what it looked like when Stella said she saw her get into a stranger’s car.
“She made me look like a fool,” I hissed, dragging my hand over my face.
At first, I was angry. Burning angry. I told myself that when she came back, I’d confront her, demand answers.
I had to hear her side-even if my heart already felt betrayed.
But now…
It was almost nightfall. And she still hadn’t returned.
I’d called her phone over and over. No response. It went straight to voicemail.
“Where the hell are you, Faye?”
Ace and lan sat on the couch, watching me wear the rug thin with my pacing.
“Dad,” lan said, leaning forward, “I’m sure she’s fine. Faye always looks after herself.” “Yeah,” Ace added. “She’s stronger than you think. She’ll be back soon.”
Their words did little to calm me.
My hands trembled as I sat down. I wanted to believe them, but something felt… off.
Then Lily started crying.
I rushed into her room and found her curled up on the bed. Her cheeks were wet, her eyes red. “This is all my fault,” she sobbed. “If you hadn’t proposed to me and you hadn’t taken me to the hospital instead, maybe Faye wouldn’t have had to leave.”
“Hey, hey,” I sat beside her and wrapped her in my arms. “Don’t say that, Lily. None of this is your fault.”
“But she left because of me,” she cried harder.
“No,” I said firmly. “Faye would never leave because of you. I’m sure she’ll be back soon. Now sleep so you don’t fall sick again.”
After I tucked Lily in and kissed her forehead, I left her room quietly.
The hallway was dim. I was about to head downstairs when I heard voices.
“I don’t know why Gabriel is acting like this,” Stella said from the kitchen. “Faye’s gone. He should be relieved.”
Relieved?
I moved closer, heart racing.
“Yes, I am so happy she’s gone. I hate her so much,” Ace joined in.
“She’s probably dead by now,” lan muttered. “Wouldn’t be a bad thing.”
I froze.
What did they just say?
I stormed into the kitchen.
“What the hell are you all talking about?” I barked.
They all jumped.
Ace and lan looked away. Stella crossed her arms.
“Gabriel, don’t start,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “They’re just kids. They don’t know what they’re saying.”
“They’re old enough to know better!” I snapped. “How can you all speak like that about Faye?” “Stop defending her, Gabriel, she’s worthless and the kids dislike her,” Stella snapped.
I clenched my jaw. “Faye has done more for this family than anyone. Including you.”
The boys fell silent.
“I want both of you in bed. Now,” I said, pointing at Ace and lan. “We’ll talk in the morning.”
They groaned but obeyed, walking off slowly.
I turned to Stella.
“I think it’s time you went back to your house.”
Stella laughed bitterly. “Why? Because Faye’s gone? You need me here. Who else is going to take care of the boys?”
“I’ll manage,” I said flatly. “I don’t want this energy around my kids.”
Stella picked up her purse and stormed out without another word.
I made my way to Faye’s room.
It was just how she left it. Neat. Organized.
Her books were on the shelf. Her clothes are still in the closet. Her phone charger still plugged in.
I sat on her bed and exhaled slowly.
“If you were planning to run away,” I murmured, “why didn’t you take anything?”
Nothing made sense.
My chest felt heavy. Guilt crept in slowly.
Maybe I pushed her too far. Maybe I should’ve listened more.
I pulled out my phone and scrolled through my contacts. I hesitated for a second, then tapped a number I hadn’t used in years.
The line rang twice before a voice answered.
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15:52 Fri, Jan 30 M
“Gabriel. Calling me this late? What’s the emergency?”
“I need your help,” I said quickly. “Someone’s missing. Her name is Faye.”
The man sighed. “You never call unless it’s serious.”
“It is,” I replied. “She’s gone. No clue where. I need to find her. She was shot, right shoulder.
Bullet went straight through, it’s a clean wound so she’ll probably be in a hospital.”
“Send me her details,” he said. “Full name, recent photo, any info that might help.”
“I already emailed it to you.”
“Alright. But this kind of rush job isn’t cheap.”
“I don’t care about the cost. Just find her.”
The line went quiet for a moment.
“I’ll start in the morning. Be ready for anything, Gabriel. She may not want to be found.”
My throat tightened. “Just find her.”
15:52 Fri, Jan 30 >>> GG
