Chapter 3
Samuel's voice came through the phone, tight with worry.
"Edward, where's my daughter?"
Edward stood in the office, his composure finally cracking.
"Samuel, just hold on," Edward said, his voice strained.
"I'm on my way."
He snatched up his car keys and bolted out the door.
Mia ran after him. "Mr. Thompson, you have a meeting in ten minutes."
"Cancel it," Edward replied, striding out without even glancing back.
I trailed after him.
The elevator slowly descended.
He tried calling me again.
Still off.
He opened the chat window.
All three messages he'd sent me last night were still unanswered.
[Stop trying to force me to come back like this.]
[I'm home.]
[If you want to talk, just come back. No need to disappear on purpose.]
Those three texts just sat there in the chat, no reply.
Edward kept staring at the screen, his brow furrowing tighter and tighter.
Guess he was finally starting to get it.
Even when I was furious, I never shut off my phone.
Samuel had high blood pressure.
Plus, I had plenty of regulars at the studio counting on me.
I could ignore him.
But I'd never just vanish so nobody could reach me.
The elevator doors slid open.
Edward hurried out.
Just as he reached the parking lot, his phone buzzed.
It was Olivia.
[Has Claire contacted you yet?]
Edward didn't reply.
Olivia sent another message right away.
[It's all my fault. I was so scared last night, that's why I needed you to take me home.]
Edward's grip on his phone tightened.
After a few seconds, he replied with just two words.
[It's okay.]
I stood there, watching those two words on the screen.
Even at a time like this, Olivia was still the first person he tried to comfort.
Edward drove like a man possessed.
When Edward pulled up at the apartment complex, Samuel was already waiting by the gate.
He had on a worn-out jacket.
Sweat was beading on his forehead.
He was clutching his hospital bag in one hand.
"Samuel," Edward called.
As soon as Edward stepped out of the elevator, Samuel rushed over.
"Where's Claire?" Samuel asked, his voice tight with worry.
"What time did she leave last night?
"What happened between you two?"
Edward stopped at the doorway.
After a long pause, Edward finally spoke up. "We argued."
Samuel's face fell.
"Who was it about?" Samuel pressed.
Edward stayed silent.
But Samuel seemed to get it.
"Was it Olivia again?" Samuel asked.
"Samuel, this has nothing to do with her," Edward said, trying to sound calm.
"How is it not about her?" Samuel shot back, his voice rising.
"Last month, on Claire's birthday, you left her waiting at the restaurant until it closed, just so you could take Olivia to the hospital.
"And last week, on your anniversary, the moment Olivia called, you ran off again.
"And what about last night?
"Did you leave Claire all alone again because of her?"
Edward's jaw clenched.
"Olivia just got divorced, and her ex won't leave her alone," Edward said.
"She got some scary messages last night.
"I just gave her a ride home."
Samuel stared at him.
"You gave her a ride home," Samuel said, his voice heavy with accusation.
"And what about my daughter?"
The living room fell silent.
Edward's face went pale for a moment.
Samuel wiped the sweat from his forehead.
He didn't keep arguing.
He just turned and walked into the bedroom.
"She didn't even take her bags," Samuel said, his voice tight with worry.
"Her ID and passport are still in the drawer.
"Her usual clothes are all still here.
"If she really went back to my place or left town, she wouldn't just leave everything behind like this."
Edward followed him in.
The walk-in closet was neat and tidy.
My suitcase was tucked away in the back.
My go-to beige travel bag was still there, too.
Edward crouched down and pulled open the drawer.
ID.
Passport.
Bank cards.
Every single thing was still there.
His hands moved faster and faster as he searched the drawer.
He even yanked the whole drawer out.
All that was left inside were some receipts and old photos.
"How long has her phone been off?" Samuel asked.
"Since last night," Edward replied.
"What about her bank card?" Samuel asked again.
Edward instantly grabbed his phone.
Most of our household expenses were put on our joint card.
He could check every purchase I made.
The last time the card was used was 5:20 PM yesterday.
I bought strawberries and cream at the bake shop.
After that, nothing else was spent.
Didn't take a cab.
Didn't book a hotel.
Didn't buy any tickets.
Samuel's hands started to shake.
"Call the police," he said, his voice trembling.
"Call the police right now."
Edward just stood there, frozen.
He kept staring at the last purchase on his phone, unable to move.
"She left the studio last night," Edward said.
"There are plenty of hotels around here.
"She might've paid with her own card."
"Edward," Samuel cut him off.
"Are you really looking for her, or are you just trying to make yourself feel better?"
Edward looked up sharply.
Samuel's eyes were red.
"Claire's had this habit since she was a kid," Samuel said, his voice trembling.
"Wherever she goes, she always lets me know first.
"Her mother passed away when she was young, so she's always worried about me.
"All these years, she's never just vanished without telling me.
"You've been married to her for six years.
"And you don't even know that?"
Edward's lips moved, but no words came out.
I stood next to Samuel.
Suddenly, I wanted to hug him.
But my hand passed right through his shoulder.
Samuel swayed a little.
His blood pressure was probably high again.
Edward immediately reached out to steady him.
"Samuel, have a seat," Edward said gently.
"I'll head over to her studio now.
"Maybe she just stayed there to get some sleep."
Samuel brushed his hand aside.
"I'm going with you," he said firmly.
They had just reached the entryway when Edward's phone rang.
It was Olivia.
He glanced at the caller ID but didn't answer.
After the call ended, Olivia sent a screenshot.
When I saw what was in the screenshot, my heart sank.
It was the message I'd sent her last night.
But only the last two lines were there.
[I won't fight with you anymore.]
[After tonight, I'll leave on my own.]
She cropped out everything that came before.
Edward's eyes were glued to the screen, unable to look away.
Olivia sent another message.
[She sent me these after you brought me home last night. Edward, was Claire planning to leave all along?]