Chapter 8 - THE NIGHT ALONE

Adrian left at dawn. He kissed Emma gently on the forehead before walking out, squeezed my arm hard, and said, “Stay safe. I’ll be back before sunset tomorrow.”

I nodded. But after his car pulled away, the house felt different. Bigger. Colder. Every sound carried too far. Every shadow seemed to lengthen.

By evening, the security team was in place. Two men outside. Two inside. I knew their names. I had seen their credentials. Adrian had hand-picked them.

At 10:00 PM, I put Emma down for the night in the master suite—we were all sleeping in one room now, bassinet beside the bed, door locked and chained.

At midnight, one of the guards knocked. “Just checking in. Everything alright?”

“Everything is fine,” I called through the door.

“Very well. Call if you need anything.”

His footsteps faded away.

At 2:00 AM, my phone buzzed.

I grabbed it, heart racing. A text from Adrian.

*“Security says everything is quiet. How is Emma?”*

I typed back. “Sleeping peacefully. All quiet here. Drive safe tomorrow.”

His reply came seconds later. “I will. Lock everything. Don’t open the door for anyone.”

*“I won’t.”*

I set the phone down. Exhaled slowly. Closed my eyes.

I must have dozed off.

I woke to silence.

Too silent.

The hum of the air purifier was gone. The baby monitor was off. The soft white noise machine… stopped.

I sat up instantly. Reached for Emma.

Her bassinet was empty.

My blood turned to ice. I scrambled out of bed, fell to my knees, felt around in the dark.

“Emma!”

I found the door unlocked. Chain undone. Wide open.

I ran into the hallway, barefoot, nightgown flying.

“EMMA!”

No answer. No sound. No guards.

I reached the top of the stairs. The front door stood open. Moonlight poured through the entrance.

And sitting on the step, wrapped in a white blanket, was Emma.

Safe. Unharmed. Gurgling softly and reaching up toward someone standing over her.

A man. Tall. Dark hair. His back to me.

He turned slowly.

Julian.

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