The Arranged Bride novel Chapter 39

Nick's POV

" Four days , four days since she got kidnapped , since I last saw her, Dad. Nobody is able to trace her . I-I don't know what to do anymore." I put my head in my hands. I didn't remember when I had last felt so helpless . My patience was running thin , I was randomly lashing out at anyone and everyone. Sleep , had as if left me. I was now desperately praying for a clue to reach her.

The police didn't find anything suspicious about Clara. Her mobile was tracked and it showed nothing unnatural.

" I know my consolation isn't going to do shit but I strongly believe that we will find her. Don't loose hope." Putting a hand on my shoulder , he gently squeezed it.

" When ? When will I find her? I don't even know in what conditions is Sophia living. Where is she Dad ? " I spoke without looking at him. I knew I was being pessimistic but I couldn't help the fear that was bubbling inside me.

" M-Mom le-left ?" I heard a wobbly voice. My head immediately shot up to look at Ethan's face. His face looked broken and tears slipped off his eyes. I rushed to the stair case where he was standing and crouched down in front of him.

" I'm sorry, he sneaked out." I saw Mom guiltily looking at us.

" She left, d-didn't she?" Ethan asked looking at me. I was confused of what I should say to him. Taking that as a confirmation he went on speaking.

" She promised to not leave me. " He was now whispering while tears flowed down his cheeks freely.

" Ethan-"

" I didn't do anything bad , I tried being a good kid , then why did she leave? Why do everyone leave me? Nobody lo-loves me." His sad dejected voice was piercing my heart. I pulled his small body towards mine and embraced him tightly.

" Of course you're are a good kid and Sophia loves you. She loves you a lot." I tried assuring him.

" No you're lying. She doesn't love me. She left." He was shouting all of a sudden. If it was any other time that he had raised his voice like this , I would have been stern with him but I could understand his inner turmoil. He was frustrated with everyone leaving him behind. He thought that I was lying to him and nobody could ever love him . I gently cupped his face and wiped away the tears. Taking a deep breath, I spoke.

" She didn't leave. Some bad people took her with them." I wished I didn't have to tell him this but I had no other option. If I hadn't told him, he would have believed that she had left him . This would have done nothing more than breaking his self-confidence and drifting him and Sophia apart.

" What do you mean? Bad people? She didn't leave me?" I shook my head in response to his question. His eyes widened at that and fear replaced the sadness in them.

" Bad people took Mom , what will happen now? Where is she?" Fresh set of tears made way out of his eyes , this time out of fear.

" I don't know where she is. " Saying my son that I don't know where his Mom is , made me feel like an absolute failure.

" Dad , you will find her right ? You- you will bring h-her to me ?" I hugged him once again. Even I wanted to cry , to vent out my frustrations but I knew better than that. I couldn't, at least not in front of him.