Chapter 313

"Didn't we promise not to be mad at Sophia anymore?" Lily whispered, her small shoulders slumped in defeat.

Henry took his sister's tiny hand and led her back into the classroom.

Sophia's surgery was inevitable.

Her nervous visit wouldn't change anything.

She should've gone to Dominic Blackwood for comfort instead.

Dominic's phone buzzed at three in the afternoon. Mrs. Whitaker's frantic voice crackled through the line.

"Sophia's vanished again!" she cried. "The bodyguard and I have searched Mooncrest Manor for over an hour. She's nowhere to be found!"

"Why did you take her there?!" Dominic snapped, grabbing his keys as he stormed toward the door.

"She begged to see Henry all morning at school... Threw a tantrum when I refused. Wouldn't eat, wouldn't drink." Mrs. Whitaker's voice broke. "She's never been this difficult before. I had to bring her to him."

Ever since regaining self-awareness post-surgery, Sophia had become impossible to manage.

"So you took her to Henry Thorne?" Just hearing the name sent a sharp pain through Dominic's chest. "Did he hide her again?"

"No! When we arrived at Mooncrest Academy, Henry and Lily barely spoke to her before returning to class." Mrs. Whitaker sniffled. "After leaving, Sophia insisted on going to the neighborhood... Then she just disappeared!"

Dominic clenched his jaw. "Stop crying. I'm coming. She can't have gone far."

"She's just scared of the surgery," Mrs. Whitaker whispered. "My sweet girl..."

"I know."

Last night's bedtime had been a battle.

The procedure was necessary—for her health, her future. No more cruel whispers of "idiot" following her.

That evening, Evelyn Thorne's car approached Mooncrest Manor's gates. Police tape cordoned off the entrance, officers swarming the area as curious neighbors gathered.

Her stomach dropped.

Something was wrong.

Parking hastily, she sprinted toward home.

Please let the children be safe.

The house's calm interior contrasted sharply with the chaos outside. Her twins sat quietly in the living room.

"Good job staying inside," Evelyn praised, kissing each forehead.

"Nothing interesting out there anyway," Lily said calmly. "Sophia's hiding. They're searching for her."

Evelyn froze.

"Sophia's hiding here?!"

"Maybe. I told her to hide, but not in our neighborhood..." Lily pouted. "Now Dirtbag Dad might come looking. I don't want to see him."

Evelyn's cheeks flushed.

"Is she in our house again?"

Two small heads shook vigorously.

"We didn't help her this time. She disappeared on her own."

Evelyn exhaled sharply.

"Good. Stay inside. If anyone rings—"

The doorbell chimed, cutting her off.