One Day 48

Posted by AdminM, ? Views, Released on April 25, 2025

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Chapter Forty–Eight

Ava’s POV

The applause was deafening as I stepped off the stage, the glass award heavy in my hand, though not half as heavy as the glances burning into my skin. I didn’t look up or glance towards the crowd. That would only allow me to sort Kyle’s gaze as I could already feel his eyes on me. That wasn’t all. Amidst all the stares, I could also feel Lillian’s glare. The venom in it was so strong I could practically taste it on my tongue. But none of it mattered. All I wanted was to get back to my seat, as my heels were killing me.

I smiled graciously at the people I passed, nodded at the compliments thrown my way, and ducked my head as I hurried to the table where Zareon was supposed to be. But the moment I reached our seat, my heart

stopped.

He wasn’t there.

Neither was Spring.

My grip on the award tightened as my eyes scanned the area, but none of them was in sight.

Not again.

Zareon is a toddler, a particularly messy one at that. Not finding either of them meant he had probably soiled his shirt again, and Spring had likely taken him to the restroom to clean up. With a sigh, I clutched the edge of my gown and began walking toward the restroom, my heels clicking loudly against the marble floor.

“Spring?” I called softly before I pushed the restroom door open.

No response.

“Spring?” I called again. Still no answer. No gibberish sound, no cry. Just nothing.

I began to open each stall one by one, feeling anxiety crawl up my spine like a hundred ants with every empty response I received. Just before I reached the last stall, the door on the other side opened, and Spring walked out, looking entirely too calm with no sign of Zareon in sight.

“Spring!” I rushed to her. “Where is Zareon?”

She blinked at me, her brows furrowed. “Sleeping.”

“Where?” I asked, my heart slamming hard against my ribs.

“At the table,” she replied, looking confused. “I just”

My vision spun.

“You left him alone?”

Spring blinked again, more confused now. “Just for a second. I needed to use the restroom really quickly, and he was still asleep when I left. Didn’t you see him?”

But I was already out of the door, nearly tripping on my heels. The earlier discomfort I felt was gone like yesterday’s breeze.

I stormed through the hallway and into the banquet hall, eyes darting around frantically until I reached our

table.

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But it was still empty, just like I found it earlier.

My hands went clammy, and my heart thudded fearfully as my eyes scanned the area for a glimpse of him. He must be somewhere nearby. Maybe he has woken up and drifted off on his own. He shouldn’t have gone far; his tiny legs aren’t that fast.

“He…he was right here!” Spring said behind me, as she looked around the table in panic. “I left him right here, sleeping. I swear!”

“Anything the problem?”

I heard a voice ask. But I didn’t need to turn to know it was Autumn. My focus was on my missing son.

My heart beat frantically as I staggered to the people nearby.

“Please, did anyone see a little boy here? A one–year–old with honey–blonde hair?”

But no one had noticed anything.

Panic fully set in.

“ZAREON!” I shouted, startling nearby guests.

Heads turned. A few people stared my way in confusion, others with concern, while some murmured and shook their heads in distaste, but I didn’t care.

The noise around me had dropped to a muffled sound as adrenaline roared in my ears. I bolted toward the corners of the event space, darting between guests, searching tables, anywhere a baby can fit, calling his name with a trembling voice, but still nothing.

On the other side of the room, I could see Autumn and Spring doing the same, but I couldn’t wait to appreciate their effort.

Finally, a woman

Stood from her seat. “What’s happening?”

“My son,” I said breathlessly. “He’s missing. He was just here. A little boy. Curly light blonde hair. He’s one.”

People start muring. More heads turned.

“How could you leave a one–year–old by himself? If you know you can’t take care of him, why even bring him?” A thin, elderly woman in an expensive champagne–colored dress snapped.

Several others murmured their agreement, and I felt like a fool, barely holding back my tears.

“Ma’am, is something wrong?” I turned around to see two security officers approaching, both of their right hands pressed to their waists as if it were a cultural gesture.

Feeling a little hopeful, I rushed to meet them. “My son,” I repeated, trying not to fall apart. “He was asleep right here, and now he’s gone.”

“Where did you last see him?” One of them asked.

I pointed shakily. “There, by that table. He was sleeping. I left him, with Spring, my colleague’s daughter, but she stepped away for a second to use the toilet, and….” I bit my lips hard to stop the sob that threatened to spill out of my lips. I had never experienced anything like this, and it was terrifying. Where could he be? Where could he have gone with his tiny legs?

“We’ll start a sweep of the area immediately, but we have to keep things calm,” the other said, trying to

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Chapter Forty–Eight

reassure me. “Please stay here.”

“Let’s check the area.”

+8 Points >

They tried to keep it quiet to avoid alarming the entire crowd, but I had already lost my calm. I moved around desperately searching for my child. I ran through the hallway, turning every corner, ignoring the eyes on me and the pain in my feet. The fear tearing through my heart with each passing second I couldn’t find my son was heavier than anything else. I didn’t even realize I was crying until Autumn and Spring suddenly ran into

me.

“Ava,” Autumn said breathlessly, her eyes carrying a hint of guilt, while Spring looked everywhere but at me. I couldn’t blame them, nor could I sympathize with them. It was my son who was missing, and I guess it was my fault for asking a teenager to look after him.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Kyle standing at the hall’s corner, speaking seriously to two men in dark suits, likely security. He must have discovered what happened, especially since he had been watching me closely. As if sensing me, he turned to stare at me before disappearing behind a door with the two men. Tearing my gaze away from that spot, I scanned the sea of people, desperately hoping to see a tiny pair of

feet running my way.

But then, my attention fell on Lillian instead.

She was standing just a few steps away, not far from where Kyle had stood, with a twisted smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.

A rage I didn’t know I possessed surged through me, and I stormed toward her.

“What the hell are you smiling at?” I hissed.

Her brows lifted in mock confusion. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me. What’s so damn funny?!”

“Since you want to know,” she said sweetly, her eyes glowing with satisfaction, “your little drama is what’s funny. Pulling another stunt to grab attention? Seriously? Don’t you ever get tired? Honestly, it’s pathetic. But go on, keep trying. But…trust me, dear, it’s not worth the energy.”

Stunts. Drama. Pathetic?

Those words lit me up like fuel.

Before I could think, before I could breathe, my hand shot out and slapped her really hard across the face. Gasps erupted around us.

Lillian staggered slightly, her palm flying to her cheek. “You crazy b…”

“Where is my son? What did you do with him?!” I screamed, my body shaking with fury. I knew I shouldn’t be pointing fingers, but if I were to suspect anyone in this room, it would be her. She had been acting bitter since the day she saw Zareon. She had a motive. She had the hate. Last time was proof of that.

Her eyes flared with anger. “Maybe you should’ve kept a better eye on your brat if he meant that much to you. Instead of taking the result of your negligence out on others.”

My hand rose to hit her again, but Kyle suddenly rushed in between us, his hand grabbing my raised one before it struck. “Ava! Enough!”

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“She took him!” I shouted, trembling, “I know it was her! She is the only one who would want to hurt my son!”

Lillian scoffed, glaring at me as she rubbed her cheeks.

“You can’t just accuse people like that,” Kyle snapped, pulling my attention to him. “You don’t have any proof.”

I blinked at him, stunned. “Are you defending her?”

He opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

“Of course, you are.” I spat bitterly. “She is your wife, after all.” I wanted to laugh at foolishness.

Kyle exhaled deeply, pinching his eyes shut for a second before opening them again. “I’m saying you can’t jump to conclusions. Lillian’s been with me the whole time.”

Behind him, Lillian smirked, hiding behind her hand.

“I understand you’re upset,” Kyle said gently, “but accusing someone without proof won’t help.

“Oh really?” I snapped. “I’m accusing her wrongly, and yet my son is missing, and she’s gloating.”

By now, the drama had drawn more attention than intended. The security team had given up trying to stay discreet and the police had arrived.

“Everyone, please remain calm,” one officer announced. “We’re looking for a missing child, a toddler, male, approximately one–year–old plus, who goes by the name Zareon.”

Gasps rang out through the crowd.

The police plus the event security team began asking questions, ushering people to the side for interviews. My mind felt heavy, and my body trembled with so much fear it was hard to hold myself upright.

“What happened?” One of the officers questioned Spring who was near tears.

“I…I left him sleeping. I just ran to the restroom…”

“And when you return?” the officer pressed.

Her lower lips trembled and she bit it. “He was gone.”

“Did you notice anything before you left, like anyone near the boy?”

She motioned to shake her head, but paused, blinking hard.

“I think I saw a woman approach him.”

My heart jumped into my throat and I straightened in my seat.

“You think?”

Spring glanced at her mother, who nodded in return as if to encourage her. “Yes,” she said, swallowing hard. “And why are you just saying that now? Why didn’t you mention that earlier?”

Spring, clearly intimidated, shifted on her toes before replying. “I was too stunned earlier to remember, and it was just a brief moment. I didn’t think it was serious.”

The officer stared her down for a moment before nodding. “Can you describe her?”

“She had long, wavy hair. And her dress had this ruffled design that started around her mid–thigh down to iled off mid–sentence, her hand freezing mid–gesture as if she had just remembered something.