Chapter 330
The living room was a ghost town too, its sprawling elegance with plush velvet sofas and a crackling fireplace that threw dancing shadows across the walls, but no one to warm up to it. He tore through the gym with its gleaming equipment, the library stacked floor-to-ceiling with forgotten stories, even the bustling kitchens where the scent of fresh bread usually lingered—scouring nearly every shadowy nook and cranny of the massive Vexley mansion. That gnawing panic clawed tighter in his chest, twisting like a vice, making his heart pound harder with each empty room. Finally, he spotted Clara gliding down the hallway, cool and collected as always in her crisp uniform, her gorgeous curly brown hair cascading around her warm, motherly features like a comforting embrace.
“Clara, have you seen Rafael this morning?” James asked urgently, his voice pitched low.
Clara shook her head, her warm eyes widening with concern. “No, James. I was up early prepping breakfast, but he hasn’t come down. The other maids haven’t mentioned him either. Is something wrong p>
“Possibly,” James admitted, running a hand through his dark hair. “He’s not in his room, and his phone’s left behind. I need to check with Eliana again p>
Together, they returned to Eliana’s door. James knocked more insistently this time. “Eliana? It’s James again. And Clara’s with me p>
Eliana opened the door wider, her honey-brown eyes now shadowed with alarm at their expressions. She looked between them, her hand instinctively cradling her pregnant belly. “What’s going on? Did you find him p>
James shook his head, his kind face etched with panic. “No luck in the study or anywhere else. Clara and the maids haven’t seen him. Eliana, did Rafael mention going anywhere last night? A meeting, a drive—anything p>
“No,” Eliana replied, her voice trembling as sudden worry gripped her. The look on James’s face—usually so composed—sent chills down her spine. “He was… upset after our fight. But he didn’t say he was leaving. What’s happening, James p>
“He’s not in the estate,” James said gravely, his words hanging heavy in the air. “His bed wasn’t slept in. His phone’s still here—he never leaves without it p>
Eliana’s face paled, her full pink lips parting in shock. “Not in the estate? But where p>
“Let’s check the security cameras,” James suggested, his tone urgent. “Clara, come with us. We need to see the footage p>
The three hurried to the security room, a high-tech nook tucked away in the mansion’s lower level, filled with glowing monitors and humming servers. James punched in codes with practiced efficiency, pulling up the overnight feeds. Clara stood close to Eliana, her hand gently on the younger woman’s arm for support.
“There,” James pointed, fast-forwarding to the early hours. The screen showed Rafael stumbling into the garage, his athletic frame hunched, tears visible even on the grainy footage as he climbed into the Ferrari. The car roared out, gates opening seamlessly.
“Oh God,” Eliana whispered, her hand flying to her mouth as tears welled in her eyes. “He was crying… because of me p>
James paused the footage, turning to her with a furrowed brow. “Eliana, what happened last night? Why does he look like that? This isn’t like him—to just vanish without a word p>
Eliana sank into a nearby chair, her pregnant body trembling as sobs escaped her. “I… I asked for a divorce. The manipulations, the lies—I couldn’t get past them. He begged me, on his knees, crying. He said he’d rather die than watch me leave him. I thought it was just… dramatic. I didn’t know he was that serious. What if he’s hurt himself p>
Clara knelt beside her, wrapping her arms around Eliana in a comforting embrace, her curly brown hair brushing Eliana’s shoulder. “Shh, dear. Don’t think like that. Rafael’s strong—he’s been through hell before. We’ll find him p>
James’s face hardened with determination, though fear flickered in his eyes behind the glasses. “I need more details. Stay here—I’m going to talk to the gate security p>
He bolted out, sprinting across the manicured lawns to the gatehouse. The guards, burly men in crisp uniforms, looked up in surprise as he burst in. “Last night—or early morning—Rafael drove out. How was he? Did he say where he was going p>
The lead guard blinked, exchanging glances with his partner. “Mr. Vexley? We thought it was you driving him, James. He came alone, looked… off, but we didn’t question it. Just opened the gate like always. No chit-chat p>
“Alone?” James echoed, his voice rising in disbelief. “And you didn’t think to check? Damn it p>
Back in the security room, Eliana was crying earnestly now, her slender shoulders heaving as she rocked gently, hands on her belly. “Please, God,” she prayed aloud, tears streaming down her warm brown skin. “Don’t let him do anything stupid. This is my fault—I was too hard on him last night. I should’ve believed him when he said he’d changed. What if he’s gone for good? Our baby… needs him p>
Clara rubbed her back soothingly, her voice steady despite her own worry. “Eliana, listen to me. You were hurt, and that’s valid. Rafael knows that. He’s out there somewhere, probably clearing his head. James will handle this p>
James reentered, his face flushed. “The guards thought I was with him—they didn’t ask questions. Idiots. But we can’t track his phone since it’s here.” He pulled out his own device, dialing rapidly. “I’m calling the team. Rafael’s men—they’ll find him p>
On speaker, the call connected to Jax, the coordinator of the elite group—Eliana’s personal bodyguards, gifted by Rafael. Jax’s voice crackled through, calm and professional. “James? What’s up p>
“Emergency,” James barked. “Rafael’s missing. Left alone in the Ferrari early morning, no phone. Looked distraught on footage. We need a search—now. Gather Oliver, Will, Liam, Kai, Viktor. Oliver’s hawk eyes for blending in crowds, Will’s tools for any locks or tech, Liam to read trails, Kai for stealth, Viktor on wheels, and you coordinating p>
“Understood,” Jax replied without hesitation. “No phone makes it tricky, but we’ll ping last knowns, check his haunts. The safe house? He goes there sometimes p>
Eliana’s head snapped up, her honey-brown eyes wide with dread. “A safe house? He has a safe house p>
James nodded grimly, ending the call. “They’ll start there. Hang on, Eliana. We’ll bring him back p>
Clara squeezed her hand. “See? They’re on it. Try to breathe—for the baby p>
But Eliana could only nod through her tears, the weight of regret pressing down like chains, her heart aching for the man she’d pushed away.