Grace Lace
Morning crept softly into the room, thin rays of sunlight slipping through the cracked curtains and settling on the cold tiled floor. The house was unusually quiet.
The girls woke to an empty space beside them.
Bella was gone.
Hina sat up slowly, her eyes scanning the room as if Bella might materialize out of thin air. The neatly folded blanket on Bella's side told her everything—she had woken early, just as her mother had ordered. Obedient. Reliable. Always trying to do things right.
Hina swung her legs off the bed and began straightening the sheets with sharp, restless movements. Zari followed suit, gathering clothes from the floor and stacking them on the chair. Neither spoke. Silence pressed heavily between them, thick with thoughts neither wanted to voice.
When the room was finally presentable, they stepped into the living area.
Bella stood there, barefoot, sweeping the floor in slow, deliberate strokes. Her face was calm, but there was a tiredness behind her eyes—a quiet strain she carried without complaint.
"Need help?" Hina asked, gently pulling the mop from Bella's hands.
Bella smiled faintly. "Thanks."
Zari glanced around. "Where's Mom?"
"In the kitchen," Bella replied. "She's been up since dawn."
"I'll be back," Hina said, leaving the mop behind as she followed the faint sounds of chopping and sizzling.
The kitchen smelled of onions and firewood smoke. Bella's mother stood by the counter, her sleeves rolled up, eyes glossy from the sting of onions. Despite the fatigue lining her face, she smiled warmly when she saw Hina approach.
"Good morning, girls," she greeted softly. "How was your night?"
"It was fine," Hina replied. "Let me help."
Zari entered behind her and gently took the knife from the woman's hand. "You should rest."
The woman chuckled lightly. "Ah… these things get harder as I grow old."
She glanced at Hina. "Can you fetch water from the drum outside?"
Hina nodded and stepped back into the morning air, unaware of how fragile this calm truly was.
Four Days Later — Silver Golden Estate
High above the city, a woman stood on a marble balcony, her fingers gripping the railing as she stared down at the glowing estate below. The lights shimmered like gold, but none of it soothed the unease clawing at her chest.
Olivia's brown curls danced in the evening breeze, framing sharp green eyes clouded with worry.
Footsteps approached.
She didn't turn. "What did Maximus say?" Her voice was tight. "Have they been found?"
The first night the girls hadn't returned, she'd dismissed it—teenagers being reckless. Four days later, fear had settled deep into her bones.
"Marcus?" she pressed when no answer came.
Her husband exhaled slowly.
"I had Max and Nate check every security camera," he said. "Even inside the house."
She finally turned to face him.
"Zari discovered the marriage arrangement," he continued. "That's why they ran."
For a brief moment, something like amusement flickered across his face.
"But we found them," he added calmly. "Grace Lace."
"Grace Lace?" Olivia frowned. "That place?"
"Yes."
She folded her arms. "She won't return just because we ask."
"We need her more than ever," Marcus replied coolly.
"I know," he continued. "We located the family sheltering them. Zari's phone number was switched off."
He paused, then said casually, "So I told Max to take the youngest daughter of the household. Two sons, one daughter. The girl will do."
Olivia's lips parted—but she said nothing.
Grace Lace Town
The streets buzzed with life—motorbikes weaving through traffic, vendors shouting prices, engines roaring in every direction.
Zari stopped in front of a small plaza known as Phone Village.
Inside, the shop was packed. Phones buzzed, screens glowed, and voices overlapped in noisy chaos. She spotted the technician who had repaired her shattered device days ago.
She tapped the counter. "Hi. I'm Zarina. I'm here to pick up my phone."
He disappeared briefly and returned with her device. The moment it powered on, notifications exploded across the screen.
Missed calls.
Over twenty—from Ophelia.
Zari scoffed, blocked the number instantly, and slipped the phone into her pocket as another unknown number flashed briefly.
She ignored it.
Back at the house, Hina was washing leaves in a bowl of water, her movements careful and focused. Zari joined her, holding the phone loosely.
"Did you get it?" Hina asked.
"Yeah," Zari replied. "Where's Bella?"
"She went to get more leaves. Half of these were bad," Hina sighed. "She didn't want me to follow."
Zari frowned, examining the wilted greens. "Vendors never throw away the rotten ones."
"Are all these dead?" Zari asked.
Hina nodded.
Zari clicked her tongue. "Too bad she went far. I would've followed."
She glanced at Hina. "Is your phone still off?"
"I haven't touched it since we got here."
"Ophelia called," Zari said.
Hina stiffened. "Why?"
"I blocked her."
"Good," Hina murmured, then hesitated. "But… what if they're looking for us?"
Before Zari could answer, Hina stood abruptly. "I need to use the bathroom."
The house was quiet when the phone rang.
Hina froze.
She stared at it like it might explode.
Slowly, she picked it up. "Hello?" she whispered.
"My sweet girl," Marcus' voice purred through the line. "Daddy misses you. Come home."
Her heart slammed painfully against her ribs.
"Stay away from me!" she screamed, dropping the phone.
It rang again.
Her hands shook as she answered.
"Come home," he said softly.
"Or else."
The line went dead.
ELSEWHERE __Grace Lace Street
Bella walked briskly down the road, avoiding the vendor she'd bought the rotten leaves from earlier. She scanned neighboring stalls carefully, determined not to make the same mistake.
Music played through her earpiece.
She didn't notice the black Lamborghini parked nearby.
A man in a tailored black suit leaned casually against it, a nose mask hiding most of his face. His eyes followed Bella's every movement.
When she crossed the road, he followed.
"Hi," he said, tapping her shoulder lightly.
Bella turned, startled, removing one earpiece. "Hello… how may I help you?".
"I'm on my way to my sister's wedding," he said smoothly. "Unfortunately, my car broke down. Do you know where I can find a gas station?"
"Yes," Bella replied cautiously. "But it's far from Grace Lace."
"I'm terrible with directions," he smiled. "Would you mind taking me there?"
"I'm sorry," Bella said, stepping back. "I can't."
His smile faded.
"Oh," he murmured. "Then I suppose I have no other choice."
The gun appeared in his hand.
Bella's breath caught. Her world narrowed to cold metal and his eyes.
"Listen carefully," he whispered. "I know your mother. Your brothers. If you don't come with me, we will kill them."
Her knees trembled.
"All we want is the girl—Hina," he continued calmly. "Don't scream. Don't fight. Be a good girl."
Tears blurred Bella's vision as he opened the car door.
"Follow me," he said.
"And your family lives