HIS WORLD

Chapter10.missing

At Alex's house late in the night.

Mary had made up her mind to terminate the pregnancy, and she was ready to divorce him. He texts Alex her decision, which makes Alex rush home.

Alex stands near the window, arms crossed, his jaw clenched. Mary sits on the bed, her eyes downcast, a crumpled chart in her hands.

Mary, we need to talk about this. You can’t just decide to end it. Alex said in a low voice but firm.

Mary looks up, her eyes shining with unshed tears, while her voice is trembling. Alex, you don’t understand. I can’t do this. I don’t want a family.

Alex pushes himself off the wall and strides toward her, his expression shifting from concern to resolve.

Don’t you dare say that. This isn’t just about us anymore. There’s a life inside you, Mary. Alex said sternly.

Mary wiped a tear from her cheek, frustration bubbling up. A life? What kind of life? One filled with secrets and lies? You think I want to bring a child into all of this?

Alex’s gaze hardens, but there’s a flicker of vulnerability beneath the surface.*

It’s not about the life we’ve built, but the life we can create. We can make it work. I swear I’ll protect you both, no matter the cost.

*Mary shakes her head, a defiance igniting in her.*

You’re talking about protection, but what about love? I don’t love you, Alex! Your world is full of danger, violence... How can I expose our child to that?

He takes a step closer, his voice dropping to a whisper, almost desperate.*

I know I can’t shield you from everything, but I’d rather fight the world than lose our baby.

*There’s silence for a moment, the weight of his words hanging in the air as Mary looks deep into his eyes, searching for honesty.

What if I break down under this pressure? Is this one of your plans again?

Alex kneels beside her, taking her hands in his, begging for a glimmer of hope.

You won’t. We’re in this together, Mary. I need you to trust me. Be the mother I know you can be. Don’t make a decision out of fear.

At that moment, the weight of his past settled on his shoulders, but determination ignited Mary's eyes.

That night, Mary acted like everything was fine between him and Alex. She offered everyone tea to welcome the news, she put sleeping tablets in it.

The next day, Mary woke up early and rushed to the hospital, when everyone was sound asleep.

The fluorescent lights of the hospital flickered overhead as Mary paced the sterile waiting room, her heartbeat pounding in her ears.

The argument with Alex replayed in her mind like a broken record. her anger, her frustration, the heartbreaking realization that she saw their future in starkly different colors. It was all too much.

She had felt so certain about her decision to terminate the pregnancy in the heat of the moment. The weight of responsibility felt suffocating, and the thought of bringing a child into this chaos made her stomach turn.

But now, standing in the antiseptic space, doubt crept in like an unwelcome visitor.

As she leaned against the wall, staring blankly at the bustling nurses and doctors, a soft cooing sound broke her from her reverie. A nurse walked by, cradling a tiny bundle wrapped snugly in a pink blanket. The baby’s big, curious eyes seemed to absorb the world around her, and she grasped the nurse’s finger with a tiny hand.

Mary's breath caught in her throat as she watched the scene unfold. There was something so innocent and beautiful about the baby, so full of potential and promise. The struggle for existence, the fragility of life. It all hit her with sudden force.

What if her baby was just as precious? What if, despite the chaos, they could find joy in this new life?

Suddenly, images flashed through her mind: a future filled with laughter, first steps, and challenges that could be met together with joy and love. Could they really navigate the storm that lay ahead? Could she really embrace this unexpected gift?

The nurse turned and met Mary’s gaze, offering her a warm smile as she continued down the hallway. It was a simple act, yet it sparked something deep within Mary.

The motherly instincts she had been denying surfaced, and the decision that once felt certain began to waver.

With a deep breath, Mary wiped away the tears that had unexpectedly begun to fall. No longer could she see just the struggles; she began to see a flicker of hope. Maybe this journey wasn’t meant to be walked in fear and embarrassment.

Maybe there was a way to face this, to find strength in herself rather than despair.

Mary squared her shoulders, turning away from the waiting room and heading towards the nurses' station.

She could still feel the weight of her initial decision, but now it felt lighter, transformed by the sight of the baby, a reminder that life could hold unexpected beauty.

In the shadowy underworld of organized crime, Alex was a name whispered in both fear and respect, surrounded by loyal henchmen and the spoils of his labor.

But that morning, as he awoke in his lavish house, a sense of dread washed over him. Mary, his wife, was missing. And all his bodyguards were asleep.

Panic settled in the pit of his stomach. He reached for his phone and dialed his men. “I want every street, every alley, searched. Find her!” His voice was steady, but inside, turmoil churned. Mary had always been the light in his dark life, but in the world he inhabited, danger lurked at every corner, and he feared for her safety.

Hours passed with no word. Just as despair threatened to consume him, his phone rang. It was Mary.

“Alex,” her voice was calm, but he could hear an undercurrent of....