Chapter 2
Niklaus‘ POV
I practically flew out of Melanie’s house and into my car, my mind a whirlwind of
frustration and determination. I needed to see Rosalyn. I had to explain everything to her. My foot pressed harder on the gas pedal as I weaved through traffic, ignoring the blaring horns and angry glares. The only thought anchoring me was her face–her understanding smile. She had to understand. She always did.
But the moment I stepped into my family’s house, my phone vibrated. My heart sank
when I saw her name flash on the screen.
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Rosalyn. A message. Quickly, I opened it.
[You‘ ve really proven it’s always going to be Melanie. Go for her then. Goodbye.]
What the heck is she talking about? My hands shook as I read it over and over again. This had to be a mistake. I hit the call button, praying she’d pick up, but the line rang endlessly. No answer.
“Rosalyn, pick up, please,” I muttered under my breath, but my pleas went unanswered. My frustration boiled over, and I stormed into the living room.
Hayden stood there, his face taut with controlled anger. My family sat around him, their expressions varying from concern to disappointment.
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“Why, Niklaus? Did you have to hurt Rosalyn likes, especially today?” Hayden‘ s voice was sharp, bordering on a yell.
“It wasn’t my intention!” I snapped back. “It was Melanie–she needed help!”
Cherry stepped forward, her eyes soft with concern. “Is she alright?”
“She almost…” I hesitated, running a hand through my hair. “She almost committed suicide out of depression. Thank God I came quickly after seeing her message.”
“Oh my. Is she doing fine now?” my mother asked, her voice trembling with worry.
“Yes,” I replied, exhaling deeply. “I calmed her down and stayed until her father
arrived.”
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“That’s good,” she murmured.
“Wow, you did great,” Hayden said, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he clapped slowly. “Now, what about Rosalyn? Will you be able to ease her pain like you did
Melanie‘ s?”
“Hayden!”
He ignored my warning tone, cutting me off with more venom. “Tell me, Niklaus. Do you think Rosalyn deserves to be sidelined like this? Do you think she feels any less hurt just because your intentions were good?”
“I’m sure she’ll understand!” I barked, my patience fraying. “Rosalyn‘ s not inconsiderate-”
“Then why isn’t she answering your
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calls?” Hayden‘ s words were like a slap to the face.
My fingers moved instinctively, dialing her number again. The room fell silent as the ringing echoed, unanswered. My jaw clenched. “What‘ s her problem?” I muttered under my breath.
“Her problem is you,” Hayden shot back. “You always put Melanie first. And now, maybe she’s realized she’s had enough.”
“Hayden, stop it!” My mother’s voice rose, sharp and commanding. “You have no right to lecture my son!”
“I’m just letting him know he’s wrong, Mrs. McDonald,” Hayden replied, his tone defiant.
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“You won’t tell my son what to do. You‘ re just a nobody, Hayden.”
I glanced at my mother in displeasure. Her disdain for Hayden had always been evident. To her, his family status didn’t match ours, and that was unforgivable. But I didn’t have the energy to care about her biases right now. All I could think about was Rosalyn.
I had done the right thing. I had helped Melanie. Rosalyn should be proud of me, not angry. Melanie had saved my father’s life once, and I owed it to her late mother to always be there for her.
Seeing my agitation, Cherry touched my arm.
“Don’t mind Rosalyn,” she said gently.
“She can be a bit upsetting at times.”
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Hayden scoffed. “You‘ d be more upset if
his happened to you.” He turned back to me, his gaze piercing. “I’m disappointed in you, Niklaus. Maybe Rosalyn has decided to leave you. Maybe that’s why you can’t
reach her.
35
His words were a dagger to my chest. What if he was right? What if she’d left me?
“No!” I yelled, the thought unbearable. “She can’t leave me!”
Ignoring my mother‘ s calls, I dashed out of the house, jumped into my car, and sped toward mine. The tires screeched as I pulled into the driveway, my heart pounding.
“Rosalyn!” I called as I stepped inside, my voice echoing slightly in the silence. No
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response.
hecked the living room. Empty. The kitchen. Empty. The guest room. Still no sign of her. My pulse quickened as I bounded up
the stairs, taking two at a time, and burst into my bedroom.
“Rosalyn?” I called again, but the silence was deafening.
My eyes scanned the room, and something on the coffee table caught my attention. Slowly, I approached it, my breath hitching when I realized what it was–the engagement ring I had given her five years ago.
I grabbed it, my chest tightening. “No,” I whispered, clutching it tightly.
I rushed to her room, but something felt off
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the moment I stepped in. Her scent lingered, faint but present. “Rosalyn?” I called, my voice cracking. I checked the bathroom. Empty.
Then my eyes landed on the closet. Dread pooled in my stomach as I walked to it and flung the doors open. Empty. Her clothes
were gone.
“No,” I whispered, my voice trembling.
Panic set in as I bolted out of the house and
ran to the security post.
“Where is she?” I demanded, my tone
sharp.
“Sir?” The man looked startled.
“Rosalyn! Where did she go?”
“She left about an hour ago,” he replied hesitantly.
I glared at him, anger boiling over. “And you just let her go? Did she tell you where she was going?”
“No, sir,” he stammered.
His words were a punch to the gut. She was gone. My mind raced as I climbed back into my car, gripping the steering wheel tightly. I tried tracking her phone, but it was turned
off.
“Damn it!” I shouted, slamming my fist against the dashboard.
I groaned in frustration, the weight of my actions crashing down on me. She couldn‘ t leave me. She wouldn’t leave me.
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Grabbing my phone, I dialed Jeff, my personal
detective. The line barely rang before he
answered.
“Hello, sir…”
“I want you to find Rosalyn ASAP. She left and I’m unable to reach her.”
“But…”
“Find her,” I ordered, my voice low and menacing. “I don‘ t care what it takes. Find
her!”
