Flashback – Two Day Ago
The door creaked open.
"Hi," Leif said, his voice strained, a rigid edge betraying the turmoil he carried inside.
Angela looked up from her screen, her expression softening the moment she saw him. "Leif. It's been a while. How've you been?"
Her tone turned gentler. "I heard about your brother."
Leif's jaw clenched. He remained silent for a beat, shoulders visibly tense. "That's why I'm here."
He paced once before stopping in front of her desk, trying to steady his breathing. "Alder was wearing his smartwatch on the day of the wedding. It has a built-in GPS tracker. I just remembered. I need your help to locate it."
Angela leaned back in her chair, brows knitting together in thought. "Was the tracker synced to his phone or an account?"
Leif exhaled sharply, fingers curling into a fist. "If I had the phone, I wouldn't be here."
Angela's frown deepened. "It's a valid question. No need to snap."
Leif raked a hand through his hair, eyes clouded with frustration. "I'm sorry. I'm just... running out of time. I need to find him before someone else does."
Angela nodded slowly, her voice calm. "Alright. If the watch is still powered and connected to any network—Wi-Fi, cellular, even Bluetooth—I might be able to trace it."
She turned back to her keyboard. "Do you know what brand or model it is?"
"Yeah. It's a Sentinel Q9. Custom edition."
Angela's fingers began to fly over the keys. "That helps. If it's linked to a cloud account or sync service, I can try to breach the backend and pull GPS data. No promises, but I'll try my best."
Leif's voice dropped to a softer tone. "That's all I'm asking. Thanks"
---
The Next Day – Leif's Room
Leif's phone buzzed on the table. He grabbed it with urgency, hope flickering in his eyes.
"I found his location," Angela's voice came through.
Leif sat up straighter, some of the weariness in his face lifting. "Really? Thank you."
"You're always welcome," she replied warmly.
"So, where are they now?" he asked quickly.
"They're in a place called Dromin City," she answered.
Leif furrowed his brows. "Dromin City? Never heard of it."
"It's in N Country—a rural area. It's along the route to Linx Estate."
"Linx Estate? That far?" he repeated in disbelief.
"Yes. But keep in mind—there's a chance you'll only find the watch there, not them."
Leif nodded solemnly, voice steady. "That's fine. I'll go check it out today."
"I'll send you the full address so you can find it easily," Angela said.
"Thanks again," Leif murmured before ending the call, heart thudding with both dread and determination.
But unknown to him, danger had already bloomed in the shadows.
Outside the room, Iris stood in the hallway, eyes sharp and lips tight. She had heard everything. She pulled out her phone, fingers moving fast—first to Juniper, then to Flora.
---
Hours Later – Dromin City
After hours of driving,for about 20 hours, asking locals for direction, and navigating unfamiliar roads, Leif finally arrived.
The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting shadows over the isolated area. He slowed his car near a lone house nestled in the quiet of the countryside.
But before he could step out, headlights flooded the area—followed by the unmistakable sirens and flashing lights of police cars.
Then more vehicles—a line of civilian cars. His heart sank.
"What the hell is going on?" Leif muttered to himself as he stepped out, surveying the chaotic scene.
From one of the cars, his mother Juniper and wife Iris emerged. Flora and her parents followed came out from theirs right behind.
His throat went dry. I've been too careless.
He had no idea anyone had been listening.
"What are you guys doing here?" Leif asked, eyes darting between them.
"If we didn't follow you, we'd never know you found your brother," Juniper said, arms crossed and glaring.
"Mom, can you let me handle this myself?" Leif sighed, the exhaustion evident on his face. "What's all this police for?"
"To arrest a criminal who abducted my son-in-law," Laurel snapped.
"Officers, do your work," Noah said calmly.
The police began announcing into their microphones. "Willow Smith, come out with your hands up!"
---
Inside the House – Willow's Side
"What else? You're leaving with me," Willow said, letting go of Alder's hand to grab her sketchpad.
But a sudden, sharp headache slammed into her skull. Dizziness blurred her vision, and she struggled to pack her sketches before everything went black.
She clutched tightly on the boyfriend jean she was wearing, for Alder not to know what's going on with her she squat on the floor and buried her face in her laps
"Willow, what's wrong?" Alder asked, alarmed, stepping closer.
"I give up," Willow whispered, her voice trembling.
"Really? Why?" Alder froze, confused by the sudden change. Just moments ago, she was determined to escape with him.
"I realized I can't escape. I think it's time to get arrested," Willow said, voice muffled in her lap.
"You're giving up just like that?" Alder asked, surprised.
"Don't you want to leave too? This is your chance," Willow said.
Alder turned toward the door, hesitating. Then her voice stopped him.
"I don't know when next I'll see or hear from you again… but Alder, I swear with everything I own, I love you more than anything in this world."
She raised her head. No tears, just empty sadness on her face. She stared into nothing—blind and unsure where he stood.
He moved.
In two long strides, he was at her side. He bent, lifting her into his arms like something precious—and far too fragile.
She didn't resist. Her head fell against his chest as she fainted.
He gently reached into her back pocket and pulled out the key.
---
Outside the House
The property stood alone. The night air was thick with tension.
"If she's not opening, get in by force," Juniper said.
Leif sighed, massaging the bridge of his nose, drained.
Just as the officers stepped forward, the door flung open.
Alder rushed out, carrying something in his arms.
Flora and Juniper ran toward him.
"Are you okay?" they asked in unison the worried look in their face was evident.
Alder simply nodded, face pale, eyes focused.
He walked straight to Leif. "She fainted. We need to go to the hospital—urgently."
"Let's go," Leif said and ran to the driver's seat. Alder got in the back, holding Willow close.
The car sped off, tires screeching against gravel.
---
Later – Clinic Waiting Area
Flora, Laurel, Iris, and the others arrived 43 minutes later, spotting Leif's car.
They hurried inside, the police staying at the door.
Flora rushed to Alder, hugging him tightly. He didn't hug back.
She held his arms, inspecting him for injuries. "Are you okay, Alder?"
"I'm okay," he replied simply.
"Where's that girl? She needs to be arrested," Juniper snapped.
"Madam, this is a clinic. Our patients are sleeping," a nurse warned with a glare.
Alder ignored the commotion. "Where are the police?"
"They're outside," Laurel said. "Waiting for her."
"They're here now," Iris confirmed. Since she already called them in
"Willow must get arrested" today she had thought
A police officer approached. "Mr. Alder, can you tell us what happened when you were kidnapped?"
"Kidnapped?" Alder blinked in mock confusion. "Who told you I was kidnapped?"
Juniper's eyes widened. "What are you saying, Alder?"
"I'm saying... I don't remember being kidnapped. So you need to tell me when I got kidnapped," he said coolly.
Laurel's voice rose. "Is something wrong with your memory? Did she do anything to you?"
"Nothing is wrong with me."
"Are you sure, Mr. Smith?"
"I am."
"On our wedding day, she clearly kidnapped you!" Flora yelled, shaking his sleeve vigorously like holding on to the little hope she had left. "Why are you lying?!"
"I followed her willingly, Flora. She never kidnapped me."
Pah!
The sound of the slap cracked through the room like a whip.
Flora's palm trembled. Her tear-soaked eyes widened in horror at what she had just done.
---
Willow's Ward
Willow stirred, eyes fluttering open.
I can see again, she thought, relief washing over her.
"Miss, you're awake," the nurse smiled.
"Who brought me here?" Willow asked.
"Two young men". The nurse replied still with a smile
"Police men?" Willow asked to be sure
No. Two handsome men. One must be your husband. He was so worried."
"Really?" Willow smiled weakly.
"Of course."
"Where are they now?"
"In the waiting area."
Willow sat up and gently pulled out the drip.
"Miss, please wait—"
"No need," she smiled and hurried out. This is a rural clinic. They should've just fast-forwarded my death, she thought bitterly.
Not that she looked down at them,but she's already sick and dying and can't risk her life.
But as she neared the waiting area, she heard Alder's voice:
"I followed her willingly, Flora. She never kidnapped me."
Pah!
Willow flinched at the sound. But she steadied herself and stepped forward.
"Can you please calm down, Miss…"
"You—!" Juniper stormed up and slapped Willow hard across the face—twice as strong as Flora's slap to Alder,the impact swung Willow's face to the side.