Chapter 7 - The Missing Girl
The security alarm sounded at 7:14 a.m.
Daniel was downstairs.
Maria was making breakfast.
Sofia was supposed to be upstairs getting dressed.
Then silence.
Daniel knew immediately.
He ran.
The bedroom window was open.
The curtains moved in the morning wind.
Sofia's bed was empty.
Maria screamed.
"No."
Daniel checked the security footage.
A maintenance van.
A forged employee badge.
Four minutes.
That was all they had needed.
Daniel's entire security team mobilized.
But Maria was falling apart.
"She's four."
"I know."
"They took my baby."
Daniel grabbed her shoulders.
"We're bringing her home."
"How?"
Daniel looked into her eyes.
"Because I'm not the man I was six months ago."
Maria stared.
"What does that mean?"
Daniel called his security chief.
"Activate everything."
The next hour became a blur.
Phone records.
Traffic cameras.
License plate databases.
Private investigators.
Daniel used every resource he had.
Then the van appeared on a highway camera.
Heading north.
Toward an abandoned property once owned by Northstar.
Daniel's face hardened.
"That's where he took her."
Maria grabbed her coat.
"I'm coming."
"No."
"She's my daughter."
"And that's exactly why I can't let you walk into danger."
Maria looked at him.
"I'm not staying behind."
Daniel stared.
Then nodded.
"Fine."
They drove together.
The abandoned property stood beyond a line of dead trees.
Police surrounded the area.
Inside the building, Sofia sat beside Gabriel.
He was calm.
Too calm.
"You know what I want."
Maria stepped forward.
"My daughter."
Gabriel smiled.
"Then sign the guardianship papers."
Daniel's eyes narrowed.
"You know those won't grant you the trust."
Gabriel's expression changed.
Daniel smiled.
"You thought I hadn't read the documents?"
Gabriel looked at him.
"The trust requires Sofia's consent when she reaches eighteen."
"Exactly."
"Then why—"
"Because you don't understand the trust."
Daniel pulled out a document.
"The trustee can deny access to anyone with a criminal claim against the beneficiary."
Gabriel went pale.
"The trust is protected."
"Completely."
Daniel stepped closer.
"You kidnapped a child for nothing."
Gabriel's face twisted.
"You ruined everything."
"No."
Daniel's voice was cold.
"You ruined yourself."
Gabriel grabbed Sofia.
Maria screamed.
Daniel froze.
"Let her go."
Gabriel pressed a knife against the girl's jacket.
Sofia was crying.
But she wasn't screaming.
She looked toward Daniel.
"Mr. Hale?"
Daniel's heart broke.
"I'm here."
"Are you going to take me home?"
"Yes."
Sofia nodded.
Gabriel looked confused.
"Why isn't she afraid?"
Daniel answered quietly.
"Because she trusts me."
He took one slow step forward.
"You should have realized that before you took her."
Gabriel hesitated.
That was enough.
Police moved.
Gabriel was disarmed and arrested.
Maria ran to Sofia.
The reunion was immediate.
Mother and daughter collapsed into each other's arms.
Daniel stood back.
Then Sofia reached for him.
"Mr. Hale."
He crouched.
She wrapped her arms around his neck.
"You came."
Daniel closed his eyes.
"Always."
Maria watched them.
Tears filled her eyes.
Later, at the hospital, Sofia was examined and declared physically unharmed.
The emotional damage would take longer.
Daniel stayed beside her bed.
Maria sat on the other side.
Sofia reached for both their hands.
"Don't leave."
Daniel looked at Maria.
"We won't."
For the first time, the word felt natural.
We.
Not him.
Not her.
Them.
But there was still one final secret.
May you like
Gabriel's lawyer had uncovered something that could destroy Maria's case.
And it involved Daniel's own father.
