บท 52: Vanished without A Trace

Adam listened to the long, empty ringing, his jaw tight. When the call clicked to voicemail, he released a tense breath and spoke, his voice a low murmur of concern.

"Aurora dear, just call me back whenever you're ready. I want to make sure you're okay."

He ended the call and set his phone down, his fingers hovering over it as if expecting it to light up any moment.

In her room, Aurora lay on the bed, unmoved, eyes fixed on the ceiling as her phone buzzed with her father's message. She didn't even look at it. The numbness from betrayal had seeped in too deeply, paralyzing her.

The soft knock barely registered until the door creaked open, and Nene stepped inside, her gaze shifting immediately to Aurora. She strode over to the curtains, tugging them open with a quick snap, spilling morning light into the dim room. She turned back, her eyes widening at the sight of Aurora's ashen face and vacant expression.