Alex leaned against the cool glass of his office window, staring out at the cityscape bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun.
The decision he had made earlier in the day after Chris's visit weighed heavily on him, and he could no longer focus on the work piled on his desk.
He had spent too many nights tossing and turning, replaying his interactions with Emma.
Every stolen glance, every accidental brush of their hands, and every moment her laughter echoed through the house haunted him. He couldn't pretend anymore.
What's the worst that could happen? He thought, running a hand through his hair. She might reject me. She might distance herself even more... but I can't keep this inside. I have to tell her and I have to do so now.
With a heavy exhale, Alex grabbed his jacket and car keys. He wasn't sure what he'd say or how he'd say it, but he needed to see her. Maybe then, he would know what to say.
The drive home felt longer than usual. His mind was a storm of emotions—anticipation, fear, and a flicker of hope he tried not to cling to. By the time he pulled into the driveway, his pulse was racing.
Alex entered the house, his footsteps echoing in the quiet hallway. He paused for a moment, gathering his courage, then headed straight for Emma's room.
When he reached her door, he knocked lightly. "Emma?" he called but there was no answer.
He frowned and knocked again, louder this time. "Emma, it's me. Can I come in?" he said again but there was still nothing.
Where could she be? Was she sleeping or perhaps in the bathroom? He mused and then knocked for the third time. But like before, there was no answer.
Alex hesitated, then slowly turned the doorknob. When he got in, he looked around, expecting to see Emma probably walking out from the bathroom or maybe spiraled on the bed, sleeping.
But the room was empty and the bed was neatly made, indicating that she hadn't been sleeping.
He went further inside and knocked on the bathroom door. When there was still no answer nor the sound of rushing water, he opened the bathroom door.
And like when he open the room door, there was no sign of Emma. His chest tightened, the flicker of hope giving way to unease. Where could she be?
Maybe she's with Claire, he thought, turning toward his sister's room.
When he reached Claire's door, he knocked softly. After a moment, the door opened, and Claire stepped out. She looked pale, her usual sharp demeanor dulled by something Alex could already guess. Sadness and depression from her past trauma.
"Claire," he said, his brows furrowing. "What's wrong? Are you okay?" he asked even though he knew very well the answer to that.
She waved a hand dismissively, though her movements were sluggish. "I'm fine," she said, her voice unconvincing.
Alex studied her face, concern flickering in his eyes. "Claire, if something's bothering you—"
"I said I'm fine, Alex," she interrupted, her tone firmer this time. She avoided his gaze, her arms crossing defensively.
Alex sighed, sensing her walls going up. He wanted to press her, to ask what had happened after her lunch with Chris, but he held back.
He knew exactly how she was feeling so he couldn't press her. He couldn't tell her he knew why she was that way either as it would make her even more worried.
She'll talk when she's ready, he told himself. Claire had always been fiercely private, and he respected that.
"Alright," he said finally. "But if you need to talk, I'm here."
Claire gave a small nod, her eyes softening slightly before she glanced away. "Is that all?" she asked wanting to return inside.
"No," Alex said, shaking his head. "Have you seen Emma? She's not in her room."
Claire blinked, her expression shifting to mild confusion. "Emma? No, I haven't seen her since we got back. I thought she was in her room."
Alex's heart skipped a beat, a thread of worry unraveling in his chest. "She's not," he said, his voice quieter now.
Claire frowned, pulling out her phone. "Let me call her."
Alex watched as Claire dialed Emma's number, his stomach knotting when Claire's frown deepened.
"It's going straight to voicemail," Claire said, lowering her phone.
Alex pulled out his own phone, his hands trembling slightly as he dialed Emma's number. He pressed the phone to his ear, but the result was the same—voicemail.
"Emma, it's me," he said, his voice tight with worry as he left a message. "Where are you? Call me back as soon as you get this."
He ended the call and looked at Claire, his unease now fully visible. "She always answers, Claire. Even if she's mad or upset, she always picks up."
Claire's face mirrored his concern now. "Maybe she went for a walk? Or stepped out to clear her head?" Claire said thinking maybe after she withdrew from her that maybe she was feeling sad and had wanted some fresh air.
"Why would she need some fresh air? Did something happen when you went out?" he asked thinking about why he hadn't gotten any feedback from the boys till now.
"Not really. Not to her. Maybe she was angry I didn't want to talk to her so maybe she needed some fresh air especially after what Margaret cane to do this morning," Claire explained but Alex wasn't hearing that as his mind was already racing with different possibilities.
Alex's mind raced. It didn't make sense that she didn't need fresh air after everything happened that morning but now.
Something else must've happened. He wanted to ask Claire what had happened during their outing, but he knew now wasn't the time.
"She didn't say anything to you about leaving?" he asked instead.
"No," Claire said, shaking her head.
Alex clenched his jaw, pacing the hallway. His thoughts spiraled into worst-case scenarios. Where could she have gone? Why isn't she answering?
"She couldn't have gone far," Claire said, though her voice lacked conviction.
"I'm not so sure," Alex muttered, running a hand through his hair. The idea of Emma out there alone, unreachable, made his chest ache with worry.
"Alex," Claire said, stepping closer. "We'll find her, okay? She's probably fine. Let's check with the staff. Maybe someone saw her leave. I'm sure she didn't come to me because I wanted to be left alone."
Alex nodded, though his unease didn't lessen. As they moved through the house, questioning everyone they encountered, a sense of dread began to settle over him.
No one had seen Emma leave. No one knew where she had gone.
And her phone still went straight to voicemail.
"Where could she have gone?" Alex muttered, running a hand through his hair.
He needed to hear from Harry and the boys as soon as possible. Alex thought, his pulse rising with each passing second.
Alex's phone felt heavy in his hand as he dialed Harry's number. The line rang and rang, each unanswered ring deepening the knot of worry in his chest. By the time the call went to voicemail, his hands were trembling.
"Harry," he said, his voice tight. "It's Alex. Call me back the moment you get this. It's important. Emma is missing." He ended the call and leaned against the wall, his jaw clenching.
"Who was that?" Claire asked from beside him.
"Someone that could help me find her if he had taken his call," Alex said running his fingers through his hair again, frustration gnawing at him.
Alex shook his head, his mind racing. Where are you, Emma? Why won't anyone answer?
He took a deep breath and scrolled through his contacts. There was only one other person who might have any idea where she could be. Pressing Chris's name, he brought the phone to his ear.
It only rang twice before Chris picked up. "Alex? What's up?"
"Chris," Alex said, his voice laced with tension, "is Emma with you?"
There was a pause on the other end. "Emma? No, she's not. Why? What's going on?"
Alex let out a frustrated breath, pacing the length of the hallway. "She's not here, Chris. She's not answering her phone, and no one has seen her leave. I don't know where she is."
Chris's tone shifted immediately. "What do you mean she's not answering her phone and not there?"
"Emma is missing, Chris," Alex said, running a hand through his hair. His voice lowered as panic started to seep in. "She always answers, even if she's upset. I'm— I'm worried, Chris. I don't know what to think right now."
There was silence on the line for a moment before Chris spoke again, his voice more serious. "Did something happen? Did she say anything before she left?"
Alex hesitated. "I don't know. Claire said she didn't. She might have needed space, but... something doesn't feel right."
Could it be because of what I told her? Chris mused. Could that be enough to have her leave the house without talking to anyone?
"Does she have a friend she might turn to? Someone she trusts?" Chris asked thinking if she left because of that then she probably went to see a friend she trusts.
Alex wanted to say no, but then a memory surfaced. The day Emma had ran into Jake at the company, Emma had mentioned visiting a friend.
"I think so," he said, his voice gaining a hint of urgency. "She mentioned a friend once."
Chris's tone sharpened. "Do you know where this friend lives?"
"No," Alex said quickly, already moving. "But the driver might. I need to check with him. I'll call you back."
Without waiting for a response, Alex hung up and hurried toward the garage. Claire followed closely behind, her worry mirroring his own.
"You think the driver might know?" she asked as they descended the stairs.
"He has to," Alex said, his voice firm despite the chaos in his mind.