Alessia's POV
I sat beside Andre's bed, watching him sleep peacefully. But suddenly, his eyes fluttered open, and he sat up with a start. "Daddy!" he cried, his small body shaking with sobs. My heart broke as I quickly wrapped my arms around him. "Hey, hey, it's okay," I whispered, trying to comfort him. But Andre just cried harder, his tiny hands clenched into fists. "I want my daddy!" he wailed.
I held him close, feeling his pain and fear. He was so young to deal with this. "It's okay, Andre," I whispered. "Your daddy is going to be okay. He's strong." But Andre just kept crying, his body trembling in my arms. I rocked him gently, trying to soothe him. "Shh, it's okay. I'm here for you. We'll get to see your daddy soon." Slowly, Andre's sobs began to subside, replaced by sniffles and hiccups. I handed him a tissue, and he blew his nose, his eyes still red from crying.
"I want my daddy," he whispered again, his voice barely audible. I hugged him tight. "I know, baby. We all do. But he's going to be okay. We'll see him soon."
Jessica walks into the room and sat beside Andre, cradling him in her arms as his tears slowly subsided. As his mother's best friend, she had always been a steady presence in his life. "Hey, little one," she whispered, "you're safe. Your daddy is going to be okay." Andre looked up at her, his eyes still red from crying. "You promise?" he asked, his small voice trembling. Jessica nodded, her expression solemn. "I promise, sweetie. We'll get through this together." I watched, touched by Jessica's gentle care. She had always been there for Luna, and now she was here for Andre too. Luna entered the room, her eyes searching for her son. "Andre?" she called softly. Andre's face lit up, as he sat up stretching into Luna's arms. "Mommy!" he exclaimed, clinging tightly. Jessica smiled, handing Andre over to Luna. "I'll get some water," she said, quietly exiting the room. As Luna comforted Andre, I turned to Jessica in the hallway. "Thanks for being here," I said, grateful.
Jessica's eyes misted. "I'll always be here for Luna and Andre. They're family."
Jessica's you
I stepped aside as Luna rushed into the room, her eyes scanning the space until they landed on Andre. Her face lit up with a mix of relief and worry. "Andre?" she called softly, her voice trembling. Andre's face turned towards her, and he exclaimed, "Mommy!" before rushing into her arms. Luna swept him into a tight embrace, holding him close as tears streamed down her face. I could see the fear and uncertainty etched on her face, but also the unwavering love for her child. I felt a lump form in my throat as I watched the reunion. I had known Luna for years, and I had seen her grow into an incredible mother. Andre was her world, and she would do anything to protect him.
As Luna comforted Andre, I slipped back into the room, trying not to intrude on their moment. But Luna caught my eye and smiled weakly, and I knew she was grateful for my presence. I nodded, trying to offer what little support I could. We would get through this together, as friends, as family. Luna's eyes locked onto mine, and I saw a silent plea for support. I nodded, stepping closer to the bed. "Hey, kiddo," I said softly to Andre, "you're okay now. Mommy's here."
Andre sniffled, still clinging to Luna. She stroked his hair, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm here, baby. I'm not going anywhere." I sat beside them, wrapping a comforting arm around Luna's shoulders. We sat there in silence, the only sound Andre's gentle sobs. After a while, Luna spoke up, her voice shaking. "Jessica, I don't know what I'd do without you." I squeezed her shoulders gently. "You'll never have to find out," I replied, smiling softly. Luna smiled back, her eyes welling up with tears. "Thank you for being here."
Andre looked up at us, his eyes curious. "Mommy, is Daddy going to be okay?" he asked, his small voice trembling. Luna's face faltered, and I stepped in. "Andre, sweetie, we're all praying for your daddy. He's strong, and he's going to get through this," I said, trying to sound confident. Luna nodded, her eyes locked onto mine. "Yes, baby. Daddy will be okay."
Luna's POV
I held Andre tight, trying to reassure him, but my own fears lingered. Xavier's condition weighed heavily on my mind. "Andre, sweetie, we're all praying for Daddy," Jessica said, her voice steady. I nodded, grateful for her support. "Yes, baby. Daddy will be okay." But the doubt crept in. What if he isn't? What if…? I pushed the thoughts away, focusing on Andre's trembling form. He needed me to be strong. Jessica's arm wrapped around my shoulders, offering comfort. I leaned into her, grateful for her presence. As we sat there, I whispered a silent prayer. Please, God, let Xavier be okay. Let him come home to us. Andre looked up at me, his eyes wide with worry. "Mommy, can we see Daddy?" he asked. I hesitated, unsure of what to say. The doctor's words echoed in my mind: "No guarantees." But Andre's hopeful expression gave me courage. "We'll try, baby," I said. "We'll try." Jessica nodded in agreement. "We'll get through this together." Together, we held onto hope, praying for Xavier's recovery.
(Cassandra's POV)
I paced my office, frustration brewing inside me. Victor should have checked in by now. The men I sent after Xavier… where were they?
I dialed Victor's number again, but it went straight to voicemail. My anxiety spiked.
Something was wrong. Victor wouldn't ignore my calls unless something had gone terribly wrong. I thought back to our plan. We had accounted for every possibility, every contingency. But Xavier's survival was not part of the equation. A chill ran down my spine. Had Xavier somehow…? No, impossible. My men were professionals.
I called the team's secure line, demanding answers. The silence was deafening. Suddenly, my phone buzzed. An encrypted message from an unknown number:
"Operation compromised. Xavier alive. Retreat advised." My world crashed around me. Who had sent this? And how did they know?
I felt exposed, vulnerable. The room seemed to close in.
Retreat advised? No, I wouldn't back down now.