The days dragged like years. No one spoke much in the mansion anymore. Even the maids moved like shadows, their voices hushed as if they were afraid to breathe too loudly.
Daniel had been missing for two days now, and James was no longer the same man.
His once-broad shoulders had sunken, his hair grew rough and scattered, his eyes—those sharp brown eyes that once commanded attention, now looked like they carried the weight of every regret.
He barely ate. Sometimes he would sit by the dining table, staring at an untouched plate for hours.
Other times, he would pace around the house aimlessly until midnight, murmuring his son’s name under his breath as if he could call him home by will.
The police had come twice, bringing updates that made no difference. There were no leads, no witn
