Book 1: Chapter 12
Jason stepped into the house, a wave of lightness washing over him. The dinner with Laura had been an unexpected escape, a momentary break from the pressums that weighed heavily on his shoulders. He had laughed, shared stories, and for a fleeting evening, he felt a spark of joy that had been absent in his life for weeks. But as he closed the door behind him, the familiar comfort of home quickly shifted into something more unsettling.
The house was eerily quiet, the kind of stillness that felt heavy in the air. He glanced around, his heart beginning to race as he noticed the dining table perfectly set, the plates arranged meticulously, and a candle standing in the center its wick long extinguished. The flickering light that could have warmed the mom had been replaced by a chilling silence. The dinner he had hoped to enjoy with Sophie now seemed like a mockery of what they once had,
“Sophie?” he called out, his voice echoing against the walls.
There was no response. Just silence.
A knot tightened in his stomach. Panic clawed at him, and he quickly made his way through the house, checking every room as if hoping to find her there, waiting with open arms. But each empty space deepened his dread. Where could she be?
His phone buzzed in his pocket, pulling him from his spiraling thoughts. He fished it out, seeing Sophie’s contact name light up the screen. Relief flooded through him for a moment, but it was fleeting. He quickly pressed the call button, but it went straight to
voicemail.
“Come on, Soph,” he muttered, frustration and womy blending together. “Pick up.”
He tried again, but each ring echoed his growing anxiety, his heart racing as he wondered if she was mad at him. Had she waited for him? Did she see the picture of him and Laura on social media? Thoughts spiraled through his mind like a whirlwind. What if she had found out everything?
Desperate for answers, he dialed Mia’s number. Maybe she had seen Sophie or knew where she could be.
“Mia, hey,” Jason said, trying to keep his voice steady, but the tremor was undeniable.
“Jason? What’s going on? Have you seen Sophie?” Mia’s voice was laced with concern.
“…I just got home, and she’s not here. The dinner’s set, but she’s gone,” he admitted, panic rising in his throat.
“What do you mean she’s gone? She hasn’t said anything to me about going out,” Mia replied, her voice rising in pitch. “Do you think she’s upset? Is there something happening between you two?”
“I don’t know!” Jason snapped, frustration boiling over. “I’m just trying to find her!” He could hear Mia’s breath quickening, mirroring his own anxiety, and it only fueled his sense of helplessness.
“Maybe she just needed some space. Il try calling her, Mia suggested, but her voice was shaky, uncertainty lacing her words.
*Just… Just call me back if you find her, Jason said, the weight of his worry palpable as he hung up. He could feel his heart racing against his ribcage, a relentless pounding that refused to quiet. What if something happened? The thought sent a chill down his spine.
He needed to regain some semblance of calm. His fingers trembled as he dialed Emma’s number, hoping her steady demeanor would help quell the turmoil inside him.
“Jason?” Emma answered, her voice surprisingly soothing. “What’s up?”
“Emma, I can’t find Sophie,” he blurted out, his words tumbling out in a rush. “I came home, and she wasn’t here. She wasn’t even in
the house.”
“Have you checked her phone?” Emma asked, her tone calm as if she were discussing the weather rather than a potential crisis.
“It’s off,” he admitted, frustration creeping back in. “What if she’s… what if she’s really upset?”
“Relax” Emma said, her voice remaining steady. “She might just be out for a walk or something. You know how she gets.
Book 1: Chapter 12
Sometimes she just needs some fresh air to clear her head.”
Fresh air Jason repeated to himself, the phrase feeling almost dismissive. He couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that this was more than just a casual outing. Emma’s calmness unnerved him; it was as if she didn’t grasp the gravity of the situation.
“Yeah, maybe,” he replied, but the uncertainty in his voice betrayed his own doubt. “I just-
“Look, just give it some time. I’m sure shell be back soon. Pull yourself together, Emma said, her tone a gentle nudge, urging him to take a step back from the edge of panic.
“Thanks, Emma.” He hung up, frustration bubbling beneath the surface as he paced back and forth in the living room. What was happening? The last thing he needed was for Sophie to find out. If she knew…
He couldn’t bear the thought of her disappointment, the hurt in her eyes. Would she even forgive him? The very idea made him sick. He wanted to shove the thoughts from his mind, but they clung to him, wrapping around him like a vice.
Finally, he stormed to the bathroom, tuming the shower on as hot as it would go. As he stepped under the cascading water, steam enveloped him, but it did little to ease the anxiety swirling inside. He scrubbed his face, trying to wash away the guilt that had settled over him like a thick fog.
Is she on to me? he thought, frustration boiling inside him. Does she know about…?
With each drop of water, he tried to push away the mounting fears that threatened to drown him. He had to focus. He had to find
Sophie.
But deep down, the doubt lingered–had he pushed her too far? Would he be able to bring her back to the life they had built together? As he finished showering, he knew he couldn’t just sit around waiting for her to return. He needed answers, and he needed
them fast.
He wrapped a towel around his waist, his mind racing with possibilities. There was no way he could rest until he found her. Tonight, the stakes felt higher than ever.
