Back at Derek’s house, Ella’s phone vibrated softly on the table. She glanced at the screen and saw it was Rick calling. Her heart lifted as she quickly answered, seeing Leo and Liam’s faces pop up on the video call.
“Mommy!” Liam’s voice was filled with excitement, though his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. Leo, the quieter of the two, waved shyly but stared at her with a questioning look.
“Hi, my loves,” Ella greeted them, her voice soft and warm despite the ache in her chest. Seeing their faces was both a relief and a reminder of the distance between them. “How are you? Have you been good for Uncle Rick?”
Rick appeared on the screen, giving Ella a reassuring smile. “They’ve been perfect little angels,” he joked, though Ella could sense the weight of responsibility in his tone. He knew the stakes, and he wasn’t taking any chances.
“Why aren’t we together, Mommy?” Leo asked, his brow furrowing. “We miss you.”
Ella’s heart clenched, but she kept her voice calm and soothing. “It’s just for a little while, sweetheart. Uncle Rick is going to take you on an adventure, and you’re going to have so much fun. We’ll be together again soon, I promise.”
Liam piped up, his face brightening slightly. “Are we going to the zoo again?”
Ella laughed softly, grateful for the brief moment of lightness. “Maybe. You’ll have to ask Uncle Rick.”
Rick winked at the boys. “I’ll see what I can do.”
As the conversation continued, Ella felt a bittersweet mix of emotions. Her heart ached to be with her boys, but she knew this separation was necessary to keep them safe. The looming threat of Tania and her unpredictable behavior weighed heavily on her mind.
After the call ended, Ella leaned back against the couch, her thoughts swirling. Rick had reassured her that Leo and Liam were safe, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that Tania wouldn’t give up so easily. Her desperation would only grow, and that made her dangerous.
Derek entered the room, sensing her unease. “They’re okay, Ella,” he said quietly, sitting beside her. “Rick’s got them.”
“I know,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. “But for how long? Tania is unraveling. She’ll stop at nothing to find them.”
Derek placed a hand on her shoulder, offering her a calm reassurance. “We’ll handle it. You’ve come this far, and you’re stronger than you know. Tania’s running out of options. We just need to be patient.”
Ella nodded, though the knot in her stomach remained. As she lay down that night, her mind drifted between thoughts of her sons and the battles yet to come. She knew the storm was far from over, but for now, she found solace in knowing Leo and Liam were safe-at least for the moment.