Marked by Creed

Chapter One Hundred Twelve: The Mother’s Storm

-----Helen's POV-----

The door clicked shut behind Axton, and the silence that followed was unnatural. It wasn’t the calm kind that lulled babies to sleep or wrapped around a peaceful home.

It was the silence that came after the air had been ripped out of the room.

Emma was gone.

Helen’s hands were trembling. She clutched baby Luca to her chest, pressing his warm little body against her like he might disappear too. The weight of him, the feel of his soft breaths, was the only thing anchoring her to reality.

“Please…” she whispered to no one.

Lily sat on the floor, small and hunched and guilt-stricken. Helen wanted to tell her it wasn’t her fault again, but she couldn’t get the words out. Her throat was tight. Her heart wouldn’t stop pounding.

She’d looked away. That’s all it took. One moment. One breath. One blink. Emma had been laughing, chasing something. The sound of her giggles still echoed in Helen’s ears like a cruel taunt.

How could she have let this happen?

She paced. Back and forth. Over and over. Holding Luca. Clutching the baby like she was the only thing she hadn’t failed.

Her mind spiraled.

What if someone had taken her?

What if she was scared?

What if—

No.

She pressed her lips together until they went white. She couldn’t think like that. Axton would find her. He had to. He was built for this. He’d track them, kill for her, move the world to get their daughter back.

But God… what if he was too late?

Helen sank to her knees in the corner of the room and sobbed silently into Luca’s little hat. She didn’t want to scare Lily more than she already was. But the fear was eating her alive.

This wasn’t supposed to happen.

They were safe now. They were supposed to be safe.

But her past kept finding them.

Jason.

Luca Vale.

The darkness that had wrapped around her life like barbed wire was always there, waiting to strike again.

And now Emma—her sweet, wild, curious little girl—was missing.

Stolen.

Helen couldn’t stop the tears. Couldn’t stop picturing Emma’s wide eyes, her tiny hands, her laugh…

Lily climbed up beside her without a word, curled against her side, and whispered, “I’m sorry, Mommy.”

Helen kissed the top of her head.

“No, baby,” she whispered back. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“I should’ve stopped her.”

Helen choked back another sob. “This wasn’t your fault. I promise.”

Lily curled tighter against her. Luca whimpered and settled again.

Helen stared at the door.

Waiting.

Praying.

Her voice broke in a whisper.

“Please bring her back to me… to us.”