Anna's POV
My heart skipped a beat. My fingers shook as I took the phone, afraid to hope yet unable to stop myself. When his face appeared on screen-that face I'd feared I'd never see again— something inside me shattered. Tears spilled down my cheeks in hot, unstoppable streams.
"I'm sorry for making you worry again," Marcus said, his voice warm and familiar through the speakers. His eyes were clouded with guilt.
I tried to respond, but my throat constricted painfully. All I could do was shake my head vigorously, tears flying everywhere. I knew I looked terrible-red-faced and snotty-but I couldn't control it. Every fear, every sleepless night, every moment of despair since Benedict's kidnapping crystallized into those tears.
"Don't cry. I have good news-your son is here," he said urgently. "I swear I'll bring Benedict back without a scratch. Trust me."
The news hit me like an electric shock.
My son was alive. My tears only fell harder, my breath coming in ragged gasps.
