Mrs Thompson had just fallen in a deep slumber, and it was around midnight when she was woken up by the continuous, heart-wrenching cry of Sophia which sent a chill down her spine and something was wrong given that She tried to ignore it at first, hoping Maria would come to soothe her daughter, but the crying only grew louder and more desperate and with the late behavior of Maria's husband she was unable to withstand it any longer, she hurried out of her apartment after wearing her night gown and knocked on Maria's door before the door unfurled since the door was unlocked.
" Maria, dear, is everything alright?" she called , her voice filled with concern as she made her way inside the room, only for her to meet with Sophia with her doll as she held Maria her mother's head. There was no response, only Sophia's wails echoed through the living room.
Maria lay on the ground, her face pale and lifeless, eyes staring blankly at Sophia sitting beside her, tears streaming down her cheeks, his small hands tugging at her arm, trying to wake her up.
" Mommy, mommy, wake up! Mommy ,mommy, please wake up." Sophia cried, her voice breaking with each word.
Mrs. Thompson, who had just made her way inside, rushed to Maria's side, dropping to her knees. She checked for a pulse, her fingers trembling as she pressed them against Maria's neck. There was nothing. Her heart sank, but she could not let herself fall apart now. She had to be strong for jasmine with the blood covering the carpet.
She pulled out her phone with shaking hands and dialed 911.
" I need an ambulance immediately," she said, her voice cracking.
" My neighbor... she is unresponsive. I think she is... I think she is dead. Please, hurry, address 124-down street Sarvona."
" The ambulance is on the way, and may I know whom I am speaking to? The operator inquired with a calm voice.
" Aurora Thompson," Mrs Thompson stated.
" Please, stay with me on the line, ma'am Aurora. I would like you to tell me the state of the patient. Help is coming," the operator stated.
" Okay, she has lost a lot of blood." Mrs Thompson stated.
" Okay, Mrs Thompson searched for something to press against her wound to prevent the blood from spilling out." The operator stated. Even though she knew it was too late.
Minutes felt like hours as they waited for the ambulance. Mrs. Thompson cradled Sophia in her arms, trying to soothe him, but the boy was inconsolable. " What is wrong with Mommy? " She kept asking, his big, tear filled eyes searching hers for answers.
" She is very sick, Sophia," Mrs. Thompson said softly, trying to keep her voice steady. " The doctors are coming to help her. "
When the paramedics finally arrived, they quickly assessed the situation. One of them gently pulled Mrs. Thompson asked while the other checked Maria's vitals. " Is there any chance...? " she began to ask, her voice faltering.
The paramedic shook his head, his expression grim. " I am sorry, ma'am. It looks like she is been gone for a while. "
Mrs. Thompson felt the weight of the world crush down on her. " What about the girl? " she asked, glancing at Sophia, who clung to her side, his sobs quieter now but no less heart-wrenching.
" We will have to call the social worker to take care of her? " the paramedic said. "Do you have any family we can contact? "
Mrs. Thompson shook his head. " Maria was all he had. I will stay with her. She needs someone."
The ride to the hospital was a blur. Mrs. Thompson held Sophia tightly, trying to comfort him as best she could. She whispered soothing words, telling him stories about brave knights and magical kingdoms, anything to distract him from the horrible reality.
At the hospital, they were met by a team of doctors and nurses. Sophia was taken to a quiet room, where a kind nurse tried to distract him with toys and coloring books. Mrs. Thompson was led to a small, stark room where a doctor with a sympathetic expression waited.
" I am Dr. Lawson," he introduced himself, his voice gentle but professional. " I am very sorry for your loss. We are going to do everything we can to make this as easy as possible for Sophie."
Mrs. Thompson nodded, feeling numb. " What... what happened to her? " she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
" She must have been shot given her bleeding was a lot causing interbreeding and this is now a police case. " The doctor stated
Tears welled up in Mrs. Thompson's eyes. " She worked so hard, always worried about Jamie. She never had time to take care of herself and now that bastard had to repay her with a bullet. "
Dr. Lawson nodded, his expression one of deep sympathy. " It's a tragic situation. But Sophia has you for now before the social worker takes him."
Mrs. Thompson took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. " What happens now, if the social worker takes him?"
" We will need to contact social services to arrange for Sophia's care," Dr. Lawson said gently. " Given the circumstances, it would be best if he is safe from that culprit and he might be next. I hope you understand. " Dr Lawson stated before they were interrupted by a knock from his office door.
' Knock, knock'
The first light of dawn gently illuminated the sprawling Morgan mansion, casting long shadows across the manicured lawns. The silence of the early morning was broken by the sound of engines as four luxurious vehicles approached the grand entrance, their sleek bodies glistening under the soft light. The convoy came to a halt, and a tall, handsome man stepped out from the back seat of the leading car after his bodyguard opened the door for him.
Inside the mansion, Victoria Morgan was in the kitchen, busy preparing breakfast. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon filled the air. She hummed softly to herself, enjoying the quiet routine of the morning. Her reverie was interrupted by her younger daughter, Viola, who burst into the kitchen, her eyes wide with excitement.
" Mom, mommy, you need to come and see this! " Viola exclaimed, her voice tinged with urgency.
Victoria wiped her hands on the dishwasher, a puzzled expression crossing her face. " What is it, Viola? What is the hurry for and shouting, What if you fall? " Victoria inquired.
" There are luxurious cars outside, really fancy ones. And there are men with gifts. You have to come right now! " Viola stated.
" And who are they? " Victoria inquired in a confused tone.
" I don't know, but come let's go." Viola stated before Victoria. Her mother followed Viola through the house, her curiosity piqued. As she reached the front door and unfurled it, she was greeted by an unexpected sight. The driveway was filled with luxurious vehicles, and several imposing bodyguards stood holding lavishly wrapped gifts. In the midst of this scene stood Mr. Drake, the most eligible bachelor in town, known for his wealth and charm. He was in his late 30s, with an air of confidence and sophistication.
Victoria's heart skipped a beat as she processed the sight before her. Why was Mr. Drake here, and what did he want with his family?
" Good morning, Mrs. Morgan," Mr. Drake said, his voice smooth and courteous. " I apologize for arriving unannounced, but I have come with an important matter to discuss." Mr Drake stated, as his voice was loud and clear, as if it was filled with urgency.
Victoria felt a mix of emotions, curiosity, apprehension, and a strange flutter of excitement. She nodded, trying to maintain her composure. " Good morning, Mr. Drake. Please, come in."
Mr. Drake stepped inside, followed by his bodyguards who carefully set the gifts down in the foyer. Victoria led them into the living room, where the morning light streamed through the large windows, casting a warm glow over the elegant furnishings.
" Would you like some coffee or tea? " Victoria offered, her voice steady despite her racing thoughts in her mind.
" Coffee would be lovely, thank you, Victoria. " Mr. Drake replied, taking a seat on the plush sofa at the corner.
As Victoria hurried back to the kitchen to prepare the coffee, her mind raced. What could Mr. Does Drake possibly want it? She knew he was a man of considerable influence, but his presence here was both unexpected and mysterious.
Returning with a tray of coffee, she found Mr. Drake looked around the room with a thoughtful expression. Viola had taken a seat nearby, her eyes fixed on the handsome guest.
" Thank you, Victoria." Mr. Drake said as she handed him a cup. He took a sip, savoring the rich flavor. " Your home is lovely," Mr Drake stated as he sipped it, as he admired the portraits on the wall.
" Thank you," Victoria replied, taking a seat opposite him. " What brings you here this early, Mr. Drake?"
Mr. Drake set his cup down and leaned forward slightly, his expression earnest. " I know my visit is quite sudden, but I have a matter of great importance to discuss with you. It concerns your daughter, Ariana. "
Victoria's heart skipped a beat at the mention of her eldest step-daughter. Ariana had been a source of both pride and worry about the family. Recently, they had clashed over a number of issues, leading to a heated argument that resulted in Ariana leaving the house the previous morning.
" What about Ariana? " Victoria asked, her voice tinged with concern.
Mr. Drake took a deep breath, his gaze steady. " I have come to court her. I understand that there have been some difficulties between Ariana and your family, but I believe she is a remarkable woman, and I wish to offer her a chance at happiness. " Mr drake stated with his face straight forward.
Victoria was taken aback by the directness of his statement. " You want to court Ariana? But... she left yesterday. We had a disagreement, and she decided to leave. " Victoria ret
Mr. Drake nodded, his expression sympathetic. "I am aware of that. In fact, it is because of her departure that I am here. I have admired Ariana for some time, and when I heard of her leaving, I felt compelled to act. I believe that, together, we can overcome whatever challenges lie ahead." He stated with a smirk on his face.
Victoria's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. The idea of Mr. Drake courting Ariana was both surprising and intriguing. She had always hoped for a bright future for her daughters but the suddenness of the situation that her stepdaughter was the one Mr Drake wished to court, she felt her heart ached.
" Mr. Drake, I appreciate your intentions, but this is all so sudden. I don't even know where Ariana is right now. She could be anywhere." Victoria stated
Mr. Drake's eyes softened with understanding. " I understand your concerns, Mrs. Morgan. But I assure you, my i9ntentions are sincere. I have resources at my disposal, and I am willing to use them to ensure Ariana's safety and happiness. If you allow me, I will do everything in my power to find her and bring her back home." Mr drake clarified as he stood up, and he was about to leave when Sarah, who was in her seamless lingerie, came downstairs rubbing her eyes when the two met their eyes.