Chapter 478


    As the minutes ticked by, so did my heart—sinking deeper with each passing second.


    Dusk broke, but I didn’t get the news I was hoping for.


    Ronan came straight to my vi, and the moment he crossed the threshold, I felt my emotions crumble,


    thest vestiges of hope copsing into dust.


    I reined in my feelings as I looked at him, not daring to ask any questions.


    He didn''t try to sugar-coat it. "I''ve got no good news, Allie. We were toote. They''ve probably left


    Goldenvale Town by now!"


    Exhausted, I slumped onto the couch, a wave of sorrow washing over me. Not even the raw wounds of


    a decade-long marriage ending had prepared me for this despair.


    With my face buried in my hands, I wept in silence.


    Brenda’s gentle voice reached my ears, "Ms. Wilburn hasn''t eaten in a day, Mr. Richardson. I share the


    me—I should''ve never let Carl out of my sight!"


    "Now''s not the time for that," Ronan interjected. "How''s Helga?"


    "She''s pretty banged up, but she refused to go to the hospital. They just patched her up when the


    ambnce came, but now..." Brenda''s voice trailed off.


    Ronan approached me, cing aforting hand on my head as he gave it a gentle rub. "Allie, you


    need to be strong. Trust me, we will find your boy. It''s just a matter of time."


    Choking on my tears, I murmured, "I was careless... I should''ve seen iting. She''d target my Carl. I


    should''ve known back at the hospital."


    "What happened?" Ronan pressed.


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Lifting my tear-streaked face, I looked at him, "At the hospital, I saw Carl’s photo as her phone''s


    screensaver, and her phone was full of them! I should''ve realized... Zora''s obsessed with Carl!"


    Ronan frowned. "She''s obsessed with Carl?"


    "Yes, ever since his birth, they drugged me, and she took over caring for him. Despite how ruthlessly


    she treated me, I can''t deny she was devoted to Carl. He relies on her too—just yesterday, back here,


    Carl was asking for ''Mommy Zora''. It’s clear, Zora can’t let go of him, and he can''t let go of her," I


    sobbed as I spoke.


    Ronan sat next to me. "We''ve contacted several Amethyst Acres and police stations along the route.


    Logan''s digging for information too. We''ll have a lead soon. Keep your emotions in check. If what


    you''re saying is true, I believe Zora won’t harm him. Try not to worry too much."


    Just then, Hannah burst in, "Boss, we''ve confirmed they ditched the car for a bus on Springs Street, but


    the driver can''t remember when or where they got off. There were too many blind spots with no


    surveince. And we''re not the only ones looking for Zora—another group is on her trail!"


    Startled, I nced at Ronan, his expression grim.


    "I''m certain it''s Jerome’s men. If they find Zora first..." I couldn''t finish the sentence.


    I nodded, but my heart felt hollow.


    This time of day, Carl would usually be romping around the living room or snuggled up to me, whining,


    "Mommy, I''m hungry!" Re?d at Dr?mа?оvеls


    But today, the silence in the living room was deafening.


    I wondered if he was hungry now, if he was calling out for me.


    Even if Zora had obsession on Carl, he was my child. If she harbored any wicked thoughts... my Carl...