Chapter 31
**Chapter 31: Find Alice p>
**Find Alice p>
“Nathan.” The voice broke through the chaos, and Mrs. Hartley was the first to call his name, her tone laced with desperation. She rushed towards him, her eyes wide with fear, pleading, “Nathan, please help us find Alice. Please p>
Alice’s mother was on the verge of collapsing, her hands trembling as they gripped Nathaniel’s coat. Tears streamed down her face, and it was clear she was barely holding herself together.
“Mrs. Hartley,” Nathaniel said, his voice steady but filled with urgency, “I’ve reached out to everyone I could think of. More teams are already on their way p>
His gaze remained fixed, unwavering, not just on Lena’s quaking hands but also on the ominous darkness of the river that loomed below. The genuine concern etched on his face conveyed to Serena that this was no mere act; he was deeply invested in the search for Alice.
“Nathan, we truly appreciate your help,” Alice’s father, Bernard, said, his voice trembling as he placed a reassuring hand on Nathaniel’s shoulder. “We will find a way to repay you, somehow p>
“There’s no need for that,” Nathaniel replied firmly, his expression resolute. “Finding Alice is what matters most right now p>
Alice’s brother stood silently nearby, his eyes filled with unspoken dread, yet he nodded in acknowledgment of Nathaniel’s presence.
The Hartleys were familiar with Nathaniel; he had been a guest in their home on several occasions, celebrating Alice’s birthdays and attending various family gatherings.
Serena couldn’t help but feel a mix of gratitude and confusion. It was commendable that Nathaniel wanted to help, but it baffled her that he would do so considering his desire for a divorce and his intention to sever ties with her.
“Sir, food and water have arrived,” a voice called out, breaking the tension.
Serena turned to see Gavin approaching, and she was surprised to realize she hadn’t even noticed which vehicle he had come from.
Tents had been hastily set up along the roadside, providing a semblance of comfort for Serena and the Hartleys while the search continued. They served as temporary shelters for police officers and volunteers involved in the operation, a small oasis amidst the chaos.
As the hours dragged on, the clock struck three in the morning, and still, there was no sign of survivors. The grim reality set in when one lifeless body was recovered, but it was so charred that identification was impossible.
Nathaniel approached Serena at the tent, his demeanor calm yet urgent. “You need to get some rest. Please, just try to rest,” he urged, concern etched on his face.
Serena wrapped her coat tighter around herself, seeking warmth and comfort. She met Nathaniel’s piercing blue-gray gaze, and the worry written all over his features made her heart ache. Tears spilled over as she whispered, “Thank you for helping p>
He nodded, his voice soft yet firm. “You really need to rest p>
Just then, more reinforcements arrived. Nathaniel explained, “These are private search and rescue teams equipped with underwater and thermal scanning technology. They should yield better results. Please, get some rest. Let me handle the search p>
Serena’s heart felt like a heavy stone, but she recognized the need to close her eyes, if only for the sake of her pregnancy. She nodded slowly and made her way to an empty tent that had a makeshift bed. To her relief, she found Alice’s mother resting there as well.
Initially, as she lay down, tears streamed down her cheeks. She prayed fervently for Alice’s safety, her mind racing with thoughts.
*Maybe she managed to escape the car p>
*Perhaps she was swept downstream, clinging to hope p>
*Alice is a strong swimmer,* Serena thought desperately. *She could have fought through the current p>
Eventually, exhaustion overtook her, and as her eyelids grew heavy, her hands remained clasped together, still hoping against hope.
Morning broke, bringing with it a sense of foreboding.
Serena awoke, the same sinking dread weighing heavily on her heart. Just as she was about to step outside, Nathaniel entered the tent. His hair was tousled, sleeves rolled up, yet somehow he exuded a sense of calm and striking presence that seemed almost unfair.
He seemed surprised to find her awake and cleared his throat, attempting to mask his own fatigue. “Serena, you should eat something for breakfast p>
“Nathan, it’s morning. Is there any news?” she asked, her voice shaky as tears threatened to spill again. She sank back onto the bed, feeling the weight of despair.
Nathaniel exhaled deeply, the sound heavy with concern. “I’ll tell you everything after you’ve eaten something p>
Serena narrowed her eyes, silently protesting, but Nathaniel remained steadfast. “You need to eat p>
Reluctantly, she picked at a sandwich, forcing each bite down as if it were a chore. When Nathaniel offered her a cup of coffee, she shook her head. “I can’t drink coffee p>
“Why not?” he asked gently, brows furrowing in confusion. “You always have coffee in the morning p>
“I—” Serena hesitated, biting her lip. Avoiding his gaze, she confessed, “I’ve been having stomach issues, so I’m trying to stay away from coffee for now p>
“Is that what landed you in the hospital last time?” Nathaniel probed, concern deepening in his voice.
“The last time?” she echoed, memories flooding back of the awkward encounter with Nathaniel, Bianca, and Vanessa.
“Yeah,” she lied, forcing a smile. “That’s it p>
“Alright. Let me get you something else,” he said, rising to his feet. Before she could respond, he returned with a cup of warm hot chocolate. “Will this work for you p>
“It’s fine,” she replied, taking the cup. She sipped it gratefully, but the warmth did little to soothe her aching heart. As she finished the drink, tears began to flow freely again.
“Hey,” Nathaniel said softly, sitting beside her and wrapping her in his arms.
Serena knew she should create
some distance, but in that moment,
she craved the comfort of his embrace. She clung to him tightly her voice breaking as she begged, “Please, Nathan. I need to hear some good news. Alice… she’s all I have left p>
Nathaniel tightened his hold, gently rubbing her back. “I promise you, I won’t stop
until we find Alice p>
His words resonated deeply, yet they also confirmed her worst fear.
They still hadn’t found Alice.
Serena’s composure shattered, and she broke down in tears. “No, no. No p>
The thought of a life without Alice was unbearable.
Her parents had never truly loved her. In fact, they might not even be her real
parents at all.
The man she had poured her heart into was leaving her. Although he was physically present now, she knew their relationship was crumbling.
As she sobbed in Nathaniel’s arms, he explained gently, “The rescue team has pulled Alice’s car from the river, but she wasn’t inside. The driver’s side window was shattered p>
Pulling away slightly, Nathaniel continued, “Serena, there’s a chance she got out, but the current may
have carried her further
downstream. I’ve already exp
the search area. I’ll search the entire stretch of the river if I have to-search the whole town. I
promise you, I will find Alice p>
Looking into Nathaniel’s determined eyes, Serena felt a flicker of hope. He was
resolute in his mission to find Alice.
Yet, what terrified her the most was the thought of finding her too late.
That day, Nathaniel insisted that
Serena and the Hartleys return to Velmon City. He reasoned that the rescue team could concentrate better on searching for Alice without worrying about their well-being, and Serena understood the logic behind it, especially given her pregnancy.
With heavy hearts, they all drove back home. Nathaniel accompanied Serena to Alice’s apartment, staying with her through the night, resting on the living room sofa while Gavin remained in Riverbend Point to continue the search.
As for Nathaniel, whatever his motivations for showing her kindness were, Serena didn’t have the energy to question them. She simply needed someone there, and he chose to stay.
Initially, Serena believed the incident at the bridge was a tragic accident. However,
the next day, she overheard Gavin’s report to Nathaniel, and a chilling realization washed over her.
Serena might have inadvertently put her best friend in danger.