Mrs. Hanson was packing when her phone rang. She reached for it and switched it off.
The news of her husband’s arrest was all over. The name they’d tried so hard to protect was shattered-all because Mr. Hanson couldn’t control himself.
It had started long ago, when Nica turned thirteen, growing breasts and developing a lovely voice. Mrs. Hanson had noticed her husband’s interest but chose to ignore it, thinking he was just admiring her.
But she was wrong.
His behavior became inappropriate. He began holding Nica close, trying to kiss her, and rubbing himself against her whenever she sat on his lap.
This led Mrs. Hanson to send Nica away to boarding school. Her husband had been furious at first but eventually stopped pressing her about it.
When Nica returned to prepare for college, things worsened. He didn’t even try to hide it, except when Jamie was around. He threatened to kill her if she told anyone.
Mrs. Hanson was terrified. She’d had no say in her marriage since day one; Mr. Hanson was a monster who would destroy anything in his path when angry.
Now it was all out in the open. The police would come for her, question her.
She was scared.
She zipped up her bag and headed out, only to find two figures standing before her: Valerie and Rhea.
“W-who are you?” Mrs. Hanson asked, clutching her bag. Valerie noticed the grip.
“We’d like to ask you some questions, Mrs. Hanson,” Valerie said, her smile not reaching her eyes.
“I don’t think I can talk right now. I’m in a hurry,” Mrs. Hanson tried to leave, but Valerie blocked her path with a cold smile.
“It’ll just take a second. We want to know about Jamie. We heard about his mental health and need to know more.”
Mrs. Hanson’s eyes widened briefly but quickly composed herself.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. My son is fine.”
A flash of anger crossed Valerie’s face, and her smile dropped as she slammed her hand against the wall beside Mrs. Hanson, trapping her.
“Look at me,” Valerie demanded, her voice icy. Mrs. Hanson kept her gaze on the floor.
“Look at me!” Valerie’s glare sent chills down Mrs. Hanson’s spine.
“Do you know what happens when I get angry?” Valerie asked, and Mrs. Hanson shook her head, trembling.
Rhea watched from behind. Morticia had been right about Valerie-a tough exterior, but a soft heart.
“Good,” Valerie’s smile returned, soft but stormy. “Trust me, you don’t want to find out. Right now, I’m on the edge. Your son has my friend… perhaps obsessed over her. I’m sure you’re familiar with that behavior. And I also know you know exactly where to find him.”
—
Klaus dashed into the building, a place he hadn’t been in over a week, not since Dimitri’s incident.
He entered a room full of computers and approached a guy who was eating.
“Hey, I need you to track someone.”
“Hey, Sin. Who?” The guy quickly set his food aside and began working on Klaus’s request.
“Jamie Hanson,” Klaus replied, watching as the hacker got to work.
“Sin?” Simon’s voice called from behind.
Klaus raised a brow. “What?”
Simon chuckled. “Relax. I’m just surprised to see you here.”
Klaus ignored him, focusing on the hacker, who was incredibly fast and located Jamie within a minute by connecting to numerous CCTVs.
Klaus smirked, turning to leave, brushing past Simon without a word.
“Sin,” another familiar voice called. Dimitri stood in front of him, looking almost fully recovered.
“Sin, wait, let’s talk… I’m sorry. Can we get back together? I miss you,” her desperate voice stopped him as she grabbed his arm.
He shot her the coldest look she’d ever seen, and she quickly let go.
“Touch me again, and I’ll make sure you regret it.” He left her there, tears brimming in her eyes. She turned to look at Simon, then walked away.
—
Morticia was still sobbing when Jamie suddenly burst back into the room, hurriedly.
“We’re leaving,” Jamie said, quickly untying her while Morticia’s face showed both confusion and fear.
She hummed in terror, her heart racing.
“We’re getting out of the state, Morty. Somewhere no one will find you,” he answered her unspoken question.
As he cut the ropes, Morticia immediately struggled, headbutting him. Jamie yelped and tried to grab her, but she kicked him hard on his groin, then stromed out of the room.
The house was eerily quiet and surprisingly large. Where was she? Why hadn’t anyone noticed her disappearance?
“Damn it!” Jamie’s voice echoed, and Morticia’s heart raced as she began to run.
She had no idea how to find the exit, no plan to escape, just fear pushing her forward.
Her heartbeat thundered in her ears.
—
Outside the building, Valerie’s bike screeched to a stop, Rhea clinging behind her.
“Are you sure she’s here? Shouldn’t we call the police?” Rhea’s voice shook with worry.
“The police are useless these days. He’ll kill Morty and himself before they get here. He’s a psycho, Rhea. It’s either he has her… or no one does.”
“And we’re about to face him?! That’s insane!” Rhea exclaimed, stunned by Valerie’s bravery.
Valerie’s eyes narrowed as she noticed something in the distance.
“They’re here. That was fast.”
“Who?” Rhea followed Valerie’s gaze and saw it-a car.
Klaus’s.
“Klaus and Vincent,” Valerie smirked and headed toward the building. Rhea followed, fear written across her face.
—
After searching through the maze of halls, Morticia finally found the entrance, but when she reached it, she discovered it was chained shut.
She struggled with the lock, making noise that alerted Jamie.
“Mor… ty,” his voice echoed down the hall.
Oh God, how was she going to escape? She held her breath as Jamie’s footsteps grew louder, weaving through corners and crying softly as she tried to stay hidden.
Then, her world stilled as a strong arm pulled her into a corner. She was about to scream, but then his addictive scent hit her nose.
She then heard the deep, hoarse voice she’d been longing to hear.
“Hey, Bunny.”