CHAPTER 6 - Where Are You Lily?
Juliette POV
I paced the length of my small hotel room, phone pressed to my ear as I spoke to a real estate agent about moving into an apartment. The hotel was fine for a few nights, but I wanted somewhere stable for Lily and me, something that felt a little more like home, even if it would only be for a few months.
"Yes, I need something close to the business district," I said, glancing out the window at the bustling city below. "Somewhere secure and safe with good amenities. I'd like it to be comfortable for my daughter."
The agent assured me they'd find a suitable place within my specifications and budget. I thanked her and hung up, feeling a flicker of relief at the prospect of more stability. Just as I tucked my phone away, it buzzed with a message notification from a colleague, Sarah.
"Juliette, there's a business event coming up in a few days. Attendance is mandatory. It'll be a good networking opportunity. Just a heads-up!"
I took a deep breath, feeling a pinch of anxiety. The thought of attending a formal event, especially one where Harrison and his crowd would be present, made my stomach twist. I could already imagine Evelyn's smug expressions, Harrison's cold stares, and the pressure of keeping it all together for the sake of my career. But this was part of my job description, I couldn't run away from it even if I wanted to and for Lily's sake, I had to see it through.
Speaking of Lily, her soft voice called from the other side of the room. "Mommy, can we go to the playground?"
I glanced at her, her hopeful face lighting up with that innocent charm that always seemed to soften my heart. She'd been so patient with all the changes, so adaptable, but she deserved a bit of fun—something to make her feel like a normal kid amidst all the chaos of our move.
I crouched down to her eye level, tucking a stray lock of her hair behind her ear. "Of course, sweetheart. Let's go and have some fun".
The distance from the hotel down the playground was a bit far but we enjoyed our ride.
As we got there, the playground was bustling with laughter and activity. I watched Lily run ahead, her tiny figure darting toward the swings, her giggles filling the air as she made friends with other kids. Seeing her so happy, so carefree, washed away some of my own stress. It was moments like these that reminded me why I was fighting so hard—for this peace, this joy.
She shouted with her tiny voice, "Mummy, come and play with me".
"Push me higher, Mommy!" she squealed, looking back at me as I caught up.
I chuckled and gave her a push, watching as she sailed higher, her laughter echoing. We spent a blissful hour playing on the swings, going down the slide, and running around in the sun. When she finally grew tired, I led her to a nearby ice cream cart and bought us each a cone.
Lily licked her ice cream happily as we sat together on a bench. "Are we staying here for a long time, Mommy?" she asked, her big, curious eyes meeting mine.
I hesitated for a moment, then gave her a reassuring smile. "Just for a little while, my love. But I promise I'll make it as fun as possible, okay?"
She nodded, clearly satisfied, and went back to her ice cream. I couldn't help but smile, her innocence a comforting balm against the complications in my life.
Just then, my phone buzzed again. I glanced at the screen and it was Sarah, another call from work. I sighed, standing up and taking a few steps away from Lily to answer.
"Yes, this is Juliette," I said, my voice trying to stay calm and professional. Sarah on the other end launched into questions about the upcoming event, details on client expectations, and logistics I'd need to manage. I felt my focus split, part of me watching Lily out of the corner of my eye as she finished her ice cream while attending to work.
The call stretched on longer than I'd anticipated. My eyes flickered back to Lily, seeing her giggle as she swung her legs, watching the other children play. I tried to speed up the call, responding quickly, hoping it would end soon so I could get back to her.
Finally, I wrapped up the conversation. "Alright, I'll take care of it," I said, ending the call and turning around, ready to focus on Lily.
But when I looked at the bench, she was gone.
Instantly I felt a sudden rush of cold fear course through me, and I felt my heart hammering against my chest. I scanned the playground, trying to stay calm, convincing myself that she was just a few steps away, maybe chatting with another child while I was on the phone.
"Lily?" I called, hoping she'd pop out from behind a slide or come running from the swings.
There was no answer.
"Lily!" My voice grew louder, my panic swelling. I walked around the playground, weaving through the kids and parents, my eyes frantically scanning every face.
I spotted one of the mothers I'd seen earlier, who gave me a sympathetic look. "Are you looking for someone?" she asked gently.
"Yes, my daughter, Lily. She's six. She was just on the bench a moment ago," I replied, my voice barely steady.
The woman nodded and started looking around as well. "We'll find her," she said, her voice calm but reassuring. I could feel tears building up, but I swallowed them down, refusing to let my fear take over.
I searched every inch of the playground, peeking behind bushes, even calling out to kids who looked vaguely like her, hoping for a glimpse of her familiar face. But she was nowhere to be found.
I was gasping by now, fighting against the tears that threatened to spill over. Thoughts started flooding my mind, each one worse than the last. What if she'd wandered off? What if she was lost? Or worse—what if someone had taken her? I couldn't help but blame myself for my carelessness.
I stumbled back to the bench, my hands trembling as I scanned the area with my eyes, desperate for any clue, any sign of her small figure. The sun was casting long shadows across the playground, and everything seemed sharper, harsher and cruel.
A few other parents had noticed my distress and began helping, calling out her name, asking nearby kids if they'd seen a little girl with brown hair, wearing a yellow dress.
That moment, I felt my whole world crashing down in an instant and then, out of nowhere, I heard it, a familiar voice, soft and timid.
"Mommy?"