Sky's P.O.V.

I sit in the waiting area, distraught. I don't understand what is happening in my life. First Zoe, now my father. I feel like my mind is about to explode.

The minutes feel like hours as I wait for news about my father. My heart is pounding, and I can't stop my hands from trembling.

Finally, the doctor emerges from the double doors. I rush over to him. "Doctor, how is he? Is he okay?"

The doctor's expression is serious but calm. "Your father had a heart attack. We were able to stabilize him, but he needs rest and must be kept away from stress. You can see him now, but try not to upset him."

I enter my father's room and see him lying there, looking pale and fragile. As I approach him, he whispers weakly, "Sky," reaching out for my hand.

I take it and squeeze it gently. "Dad, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for any of this to happen."

He shakes his head slightly. "It's not your fault, son. But please, listen to me. You need to come back to New York. You can't keep living like this, searching endlessly for Zoe. It's affecting your mental health, and now it's affecting me too."

I sigh, sitting down beside him. "Dad, you know I can't leave her. I feel it in my bones that she's in danger. I need to find her."

"Sky, I understand your love for her, but you have to think about your well-being too. What good will it do if you destroy yourself in the process? You've done everything you can. Maybe it's time to let the authorities handle it."

I shake my head. "No. Dad, I can't give up on her. I need to keep searching. My Zoe is in trouble."

He squeezes my hand. "Promise me, Sky. If you don't find her soon, you'll come back to New York."

He looks at me, worry etched on every corner of his face. I can't promise him that because I'm not returning to New York without Zoe. But because of his condition, I agree for now. "Dad, I can't promise this. But I'll think about it. I need a little more time to find my Trouble."

He nods, closing his eyes. "Just be careful, son. I can't lose you."

Dad, I'm sorry, but I can't fulfil your wish of returning to New York with you. I can't leave when Zoe is in trouble—she's my everything. I've felt so lost since she disappeared. I wish I could explain to you how incomplete I feel without her. She's the light that brightens up my world. Without her, my life is consumed by darkness.

***

The next day, just as I'm about to push open the door of my father's ward room, the floor beneath me slips as I overhear his conversation from outside.

"What? How could that bitch run away again?" My father's voice is cold and filled with anger. "Find Zoe, and this time, make sure she doesn't escape!"

I stand frozen, my feet rooted to the spot like ice at his words. What is he talking about? Why would he be involved in Zoe's disappearance? The thought of my father having anything to do with it makes my blood run cold.

I burst into the room and snatch the phone from him in fury. He looks up, surprise and fear crossing his face.

"Who were you talking to? What have you done to Zoe?" I yell, grabbing his shirt, my eyes blazing with anger. As he opens his mouth to say something, I warn him in a grim tone, "Don't you dare lie to me."

"Sky, listen to me—" he starts, but I cut him off, my deadly glare fixed on him.

"No, you listen to me!" I warm him, killing him with my looks. "If anything happens to Zoe, if she's hurt because of you, I swear I'll forget you're my father."

His eyes widen. "Sky, I didn't want it to go this far. I was trying to protect you."

"Protect me? By kidnapping the woman I love? You saw my condition, yet you kept her away from me. How could you hurt your son like this?" I shoot daggers at him, my heart aching from his betrayal, and my phone constantly vibrates in my pocket.

I thought he was helping me find her, but he was making a fool of me. How could he do this to his son? I feel so betrayed.

"I thought she'd only bring you pain," he tries to justify himself, raising my anger even more. "You—"

"Just shut the fuck up. Zoe is my life, and I won't let you or anyone else keep her from me. And I'm not going to leave you. You have to pay for your deeds. Now call your men and tell them to stop looking for her."

I push him away before taking my phone out, which has been vibrating incessantly. My hands are shaking with rage as I see an unknown number flashing on the screen.

Without thinking, I answer the call. "Who—"

Before I can say anything, I hear a voice I never thought I'd hear again, but it's different. It's broken, fragile.

"Sky..."

"Trouble?" I choke out, my eyes welling up with tears. I've been dying to hear her voice, but I never thought our reunion would be under such circumstances. My heart hurts like hell.

"Sky... it's me... Zoe." Her voice trembles, and I can feel the fear and exhaustion in her words.

"Zoe! Where are you? Are you okay?" I try to keep my voice calm, but I'm on the verge of losing it. I shoot a deadly glare at my father, silently vowing to make him pay for everything he has done.

There's a pause, and I can hear her trying to catch her breath, as if speaking is taking everything out of her. "I... I don't know where I am, Sky. Everything hurts... I'm so scared. They've kept me here for so long... I managed to escape, but I'm lost."

Although I'm utterly shattered, I reassure her. "Listen to me, Trouble. I'm going to find you. Just hold on a little longer, okay? Can you tell me anything about where you are? How did you get the phone?"

"I took it from a man. He's with me."

"Ask him to send your location to me. I'm coming to you, Zoe. Stay strong, baby."

"Sky..." I feel a pang in my heart as I hear her broken sob. "I'm so afraid."

"I know, Trouble, but I need you to be strong for me, okay? Just a little longer." I fight to keep my voice steady, even though inside, I'm falling apart. "Tell the man to send your location. I'll be there before you know it."

I can hear her shifting, likely passing the phone to the man who helped her.

A gruff voice comes on the line. "I'm sending the location now. Her condition is the worst, man. Hurry."

As I shut my eyes, dejected, a tear rolls down my cheek. I'm not going to leave my father for hurting my Trouble.

I open my eyes and respond, trying to keep my voice steady. "Please, stay with her. I'm coming."

After hanging up, I turn towards my father, my eyes smouldering in rage.

"For now, I'm leaving. But I'll make you pay for hurting Zoe, Mr. Williams." My father has lost any right to be referred to as "Dad."

I give him one last look before rushing out of the room to get back my Zoe. Although my heart is shattered, I feel a bit relieved because finally, I'll have my Zoe with me.

***

Finally, Sky and Zoe will meet, excited?

Please, do leave precious comments. I'm posting regularly, but the response is zero. It's really disheartening.