We even ran up and down the emergency stairwell, but there was nothing, no trace of her.
My six-year-old daughter had disappeared without a sound.
Just then, my mother-in-law rushed back holding the takeout, only to break down sobbing when she heard the news.
I forced myself to stay calm. If we didn’t find her soon, she might end up like she did in my last life.
I couldn’t let that happen again.
Without hesitation, I called the police.
They arrived quickly and pulled surveillance footage from every hospital camera, but there was nothing suspicious. I begged them to check the streets outside, too, but still, nothing. Not a single lead.
By dawn, the police could only tell us to stay calm and wait for more information. Then they left.
My in-laws and I returned home, hollow and numb. My mother-in-law sobbed as she called Naomi and told her that Zelene was missing.
Naomi caught the first flight home that afternoon.
The moment she found out our daughter had disappeared while she was with me, she completely lost it.
“No wonder she told me last night that you were going to kidnap her!” she screamed. “You’re sick! You’re a monster! Where is she?! Tell me what you did with her!”