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##Chapter 44

A bonus from Livia's father ❤

Hector

The news that I would be a father again made me more than happy, I still can't explain this feeling so big and beautiful. Everything I had lost with Lívia, which was my life, I could have with that baby.

Not that it was a secret, but once and for all I assumed my relationship with Maria, the woman who, despite a certain difference in age, was always by my side when no one else was, starting as a boss and employee, then a beautiful friendship that love came.

That day we had gone out to buy some things for the baby, she was two months old, I had been without a woman for so long that I looked like an out of control teenager. Maria said she was taking hormone control pills however they didn't work, the proof of this was growing in her belly.

Demetrius said that he needed to buy something for Lívia, but that it was a surprise and that I shouldn't tell her that he was going to the city with us.

We met at a certain point to go back to the farm, Demétrio was in a hurry because he had agreed to go out with Lívia. In the end we didn't buy anything, Maria was as undecided as I was and decided it was too early to buy as we didn't know if it was a girl or a boy.

Our way back was quick, my son-in-law ran to his house informing me that he would take a shower and come back to find my daughter and Maria and I entered the house.

- Daughter? I called as soon as I walked in, just in case she was on the floor below.

"I'm going to take a shower, I'm tired." — Maria informed me, I kissed her lips and went up to our room with her, she went in and I went towards Lívia's room.

A strange tightness in my chest hit me as I put my hand on her doorknob, shook my head, ignoring it, and reminded myself to knock first. Nobody inside told me to come in, so I waited a few more seconds, knocked again and when I got silence in response, I went inside.

The room was empty.

— Livia? — I called a little louder — Are you in the bathroom or in the closet? - no one answered.

I left the room and went to find Maria in the shower, the tightness in my chest increased, but I wanted to think that she was walking around the farm as she liked to do, or at Demétrio's house waiting for him while we were away.

I shared the bathroom with the woman I loved and accompanied her to bed until she fell asleep. I couldn't ignore the strange affliction that plagued me. I got up from the bed and went downstairs, intending to go to Demetrius' house.

I had a really bad feeling.

“Demetrius! — I called when I was close to the door, it opened in less than a second.

— I was just leaving to go to your house to see Livia.

"She's not with you?" I'm just coming here to check if she's here.

— I didn't see her, I took a quick shower and put food for the dog because I don't know where my brother is and I was going to see her.

'Is there any chance that Frederic is with her somewhere?'

“Demetrius? I arrived! — we heard Frederic's voice outside and a second later, we saw the door opening.

- Where were you? Have you seen Livia?

— I was with a girl, but not with Livia. — he smiled, but tried to be serious at the same time — Why? What happened?

— Lívia is not at home and she is not here. Demetrius replied to his brother.

“I'm worried Demetrius. I said and watched as he ran his hands through his hair.

"Did something bad happen?" If she's not on the farm, something has certainly happened to her, she never goes out alone. I'll look for her in every inch of this place! he asserted, a muscle tensing in his jaw.

- I'm going too! Frederic said.

"I'll call all the staff."

We left quickly, recruiting everyone to look for her. Three hours later everyone came back with no response. But one of the employees said he had seen a different car enter and leave the farm, but he didn't think it was strange because he didn't hear anything out of the ordinary.

That had always been a safe place, I never thought it necessary to put up security cameras. My mistake.

At that moment I couldn't contain myself, I sat down on the stairs at home and cried, I cried because despair was starting to consume me, the only thought that occurred to me was that this car had taken my girl and that Mariana had something to do with it.

She never went out alone. There was no other explanation.

I felt Maria's hand on my shoulder as she sat next to me and hugged me, I was already aware of what was happening, I received her strength and comfort.

"I've already notified the police." I passed all the information they asked me and they just told me to wait. These idiots! she exclaimed angrily.

I clenched my fists, feeling the rage flood through me. Demetrius rushed over, breathing hard and looking desperate.

- Any news? - He asked.

- Nothing and you?

- Cum. —he cursed , placing his hands on his knees and lowering his head —Nothing either.

He sat down on the step below me and I watched him wipe away his tears. I knew he wanted to break down like me, but he was being strong.

“She needs me. You need me, I can feel it. — she got up and started pacing back and forth passing her hands exasperatedly through her hair, grabbed a vase that was next to the wall of the stairs and threw it away, crouched on the floor and cried.

- Lets go in. Let's call the police again. Mary suggested.

"I'm going after her into town!" said Demetrius.

“I know this is all horrible, but we need to think about the possibility that she's been kidnapped and that they'll call to ask for something. We need to stay here and by the phone.

- You're right. — we all went in together.

We called the police again and they said they would register her missing only after 24 hours. That made me angry and Demerito was no different, he wanted to break everything but Maria said that wouldn't solve it, I understood, because I wanted to do the same.

Marta, the new cook made tea for us to drink, but Demétrio and I didn't want to drink it. I insisted that Maria eat something and rest, for the sake of our baby. She was as distressed as we are, she was reluctant, but she gave in when I pleaded with her.

A twinge of hope flared in us when the phone rang. I ran desperately to answer

- Hello! I exclaimed.

- Hector? How much time! — I heard the voice of that wretched Leonel.

"You bastard, are you with my daughter?" I swore.

Demetrius was impatiently asking who it was.

- Surprise! the son of a bitch said with a tone of irony.

"Give me back my daughter, you bastard!" If I hurt her... - I threatened.

"Shut up and listen to me!" I need money , lots of money! Pay me what I ask and you'll have your little girl back, I'm sick of her screaming all the time. Otherwise I'll finish her off!

Despite the hatred seething in my veins and the urge to call the asshole out of every name, I begged for my daughter.

- Please. - I lowered my voice - Don't hurt her. I beg you, don't touch her. How much do you want?

— 500 thousand reais, tomorrow I'll call again to arrange where I'll deliver the girl and pick up the money.

The bastard said that and hung up.

What a desire to kill him ! I should have finished when I had the chance.

I explained everything to Demetrius, who became even more nervous. I had never seen him like this, his eyes were dark with hatred and his expression was horrendous.

We spent a sleepless night pacing the floor waiting for another call. I cried non-stop and asked the heavens for my daughter, Demetrius cursed and also asked God for Lívia's return, Maria kept praying for her to be well and to come back to us soon.

My heart seemed to have a rusty arrow in half, it was hurting so much the absence of my daughter and even more knowing where she was, everything that man had ever done for her. Mariana was supposed to be with me, I was sure, she never loved my daughter, she always saw my resemblance in her face.

My head was exploding with worry. Lívia was my reason for living, the light of my life, my hope... And she wasn't there with me... She was in the hands of people capable of anything for money.