The house was quieter than usual when Leo stepped inside. He unbuttoned his top two buttons as he walked in, expecting to hear faint footsteps or the sound of the TV. But instead, Aunty Clara greeted him with a worried expression.
"Sir… Bella ma'am is still asleep."
Still?
Leo froze mid-step.
A strange prickling sensation crawled down his spine, an instinct sharper than logic, something cold rising in him. Bella did not sleep this much. She slept long, yes, but not this long. Something was off.
His expression darkened as he strode to their room and pushed the door open with a quick movement.
Empty.
A quiet, low breath escaped him, half impatience and half growing worry, as he turned and pushed open the door of the room he had specially set up for her, the one she loved most.
He blinked once.
The room was empty too.
Until his eyes flicked toward the large hollow in the middle of the tree, the one sized just right for her small body.
