Chapter 19

The entire day had slipped by while Kayla was tied up with contract details and legal paperwork involving Jeremy and the transfer of company shares.

In all that chaos, she hadn't even noticed her phone had powered off.

Meanwhile,Liam,growing increasingly anxious from the radio silence, decided to head straight to the care facility.

Marsha was in the middle of her therapy session A caregiver was seated beside her,keeping her company with light conversation.

Stepping in quietly, Liam carried a few shopping bags filled with supplements and set them on the nearby table.

The caregiver stood up quickly and gave him a polite nod. "Mr. Graham."

"Has Marsha been alright today?" asked Liam, offering a brief nod in return.

"She was a bit out of sorts earlier, but she's been mostly clear-headed since then."

"You can go ahead and take a break. I'll sit with her for a while."

"Of course." With that, the caregiver gave a slight bow and left the room

Easing into the chair beside Marsha, Liam reached out and smoothed her hair with a gentle touch. "Kayla didn't make it today. I wonder what's keeping her so tied up"

Marsha gradually shifted her gaze, the faint cloudiness in her aging eyes betraying a flicker of uncertainty "Liam, has Kayla gone back to work lately?"

Liam shook his head "She's been out of the company for a while now I've told her to just rest at home. No point wearing herself out."

"That's a relief to hear." Marsha's lips curved into a soft smile. "Knowing you're handling things makes me feel at peace"

With a quiet sigh, Liam let his hand fall into hislap."She hasn't been herself lately. Talks about divorce have come up."

Marsha's body stiffened as her fingers clutched his."Divorce? Why would she say that?" He tightened his grip around her hand, his face set with quiet determination. "You don't have to worry.1won't let things go that far She's just been cooped up too long, overthinking everything Once her spirits lift,talk of divorce will be the last thing on her mind."

Though still tense, Marsha's shoulders relaxed slightly "You've been doing your best, Liam Kayla's lucky she has someone like you."

To lift her spirits, Liam suggested they go out for a bit He personally helped her into the car and drove them to a nearby park.

The afternoon sun poured across the walkways, and the park buzzed with quiet joy-elderly couples playing chess, small groups stretching, others simply sitting and enjoying the breeze

The breeze rustled gently through the trees as Marsha sat on a park bench, her face lit up with quiet joy while she took in the scene around her

Not far from her, Liam remained close. His tall build and sharp features didn't go unnoticed by a group of elderly women seated nearby

One of them leaned toward Marsha with a grin "You're blessed to have such a handsome and attentive grandson." With a proud chuckle, Marsha corrected her,saying "Oh no, he's not my grandson. He's married to my granddaughter"

The compliment clearly touched her, and a warm glow spread across her face

Liam continued to play his part with care, keeping a watchful eye on her and gently settling his jacket over her shoulders when the wind picked up

A sudden vibration broke the moment-his phone buzzing from his coat pocket

Curious, he pulled it out and checked the screen Tricia's name flashed across the display With a quick glance toward Marsha, he stepped aside to take the call

"What is it?"

"I slipped while getting out of the shower," Tricia said,her voice trembling "The floor was wet, and I've been lying here. I'm scared. Can you come?"

A crease formed between Liamn's brows "I'm not home right now. This isn't really a good time."

"But I'm alone, and I can't even stand up Please,I need help I don't know what else to do." Tears in her voice made the plea sound even more desperate

He didn't hesitate much longer "Alright I'm on my way"

Liam thought he'd get her to the hospital and be back before long

He made his way back to the bench and leaned toward Marsha "Something came up I need to run an errand real quick Just stay here, alright?"

Lost in the rhythm of a group of dancers nearby,Marsha only half-heard him and nodded without turning away

A moment later, Liam's car rolled out of the parking lot

Meanwhile,Kayla had just wrapped up her errands, her stomach already rumbling. Hunger gnawed at her, and she stopped at the nearest restaurant to eat before the nausea hit again

If she skipped another meal, she knew the queasiness would come back full force

Right after she paid the bill and prepared to head home, her phone lit up with a call. It was the care facility "Kayla,your grandmother is missing We can't find her anywherel"

Shock gripped Kayla like ice Her body wouldn't move Her mind emptied out in an instant Fingers tightening around her phone, she blurted out, "What do you mean she's missing? How does someone just vanish?"

"Your husband left the facility with her earlier They haven't come back, and now we can't find either of them"

"Got it. I'll handle it"

Without wasting a second, she tried calling Liam But it went to his voice mail

According to the staff, the last ping from Marsha's tracking device showed her somewhere in a nearby public park

Throwing herself into a cab, Kayla kept stabbing at Liam's number the entire ride there, but no one answered

"If anything happens to Grandma,Liam, I swear l'll never let you off the hook," she muttered through clenched teeth, her voice sharp with rage and fear

The park was still lively with people The staff met her near the entrance. After a quick rundown, they split into teams and began sweeping the area for any sign of Marsha.

Minutes dragged into nearly an hour. Still nothing

Kayla's chest tightened with every fruitless step. Her hands trembled. Her throat burned. Liam hadn't answered at all.

In a final act of desperation, she phoned her father. It was Amaya who picked up.

"What do you expect us to do? We already told you -whatever happens to Marsha has nothing to do with us. She's not our problem. Don't call again," Amaya snapped before hanging up.

That heartless response made Kayla's skin crawl. She pictured Marsha alone somewhere, scared and vulnerable.

Hope crumbling, she began stopping strangers at random, holding up her phone with Marsha's photo."Have you seen her? Please, just look. She's missing."

Most didn't even glance twice. One woman shrugged Another shook her head. "Sorry, haven't seen anyone like that."

Her breath hitched. "Grandma, where did you go?Please be okay.Please come back." Tears clouding her vision, she stepped off the sidewalk without looking

Suddenly,tires screeched across the pavement

A luxury sedan, sleek and black, slammed its brakes just in time. The headlights blasted over her like a spotlight