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CHAPTER SEVENTY ONE

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For the next few hours, I was anxious. I called mom from time to time but there was no positive update, how could my father and Phoebe just disappear without a trace.

Mom spoke that Phoebe had gone for her dancing classes but had sneaked away from the men that were supposed to protect her. This wasn't the first time she had done that, only this time, she never returned home. As for dad, his assistant said that he had insisted on leaving alone after receiving an urgent call.

I couldn't help the worry that gnawed my insides, we weren't close but they were still family after all. I only prayed that they were alright where they are.

I thought about telling Lucian but quickly decided against it. What if it wasn't anything serious? My mother had always worried about the slightest things. Who knew, Phoebe might be having a hangover after partying hard, she might be at one of her friends' places. Then what about dad? Was it really a mere coincidence?

A knock on the door snapped me from my thoughts, seconds later, Loretta walked in. "Ready to leave?" She took a glance at my casual clothes and added. "Don't tell me you're canceling at the last minute! "

It took me a few seconds to recall that we were supposed to go shopping this afternoon.

I know I was still early in my pregnancy but soon most of my clothes won't fit anymore, not only that, the opportunity to go out and shop for my things didn't come so easily, and I didn't plan on missing out on this chance.

"Give me a second!" I sprinted off the bed, maybe going out would help to clear my mind of things, and hopefully, by the time I get back, it would turn out that mom had been anxious for nothing.

I dressed up quickly and ensured to quickly remind Lucian. When he asked if I took a nap, I had to lie about it.

"Are you sure you're going to be fine? You don't need to do this, someone else could get those things you need." He looked reluctant and I had the urge to roll my eyes.

"You already promised! And also remember what the doctor mentioned about exercising? It's good for my state of mind and the baby as well, besides I have Loretta with me." I sighed exasperatedly when he still didn't look convinced.

"I should accompany you, at least then my heart will be at ease." He closed his laptop and started to straighten up and I knew I had to think of something quickly.

You see, Loretta's main purpose of tagging along was only so she would get some time to spend with Fred, that would be impossible to do if Lucian should accompany us.

"Come on! It's only for about one hour, we will be fine, besides didn't you need to get some work done?"

"I can do that later as well." He responded easily, walking towards me. I scowled inwardly but smiled sweetly at him.

"That's too bad, we could have done much more satisfying things " later" I gave him a suggestive smile, hoping it would be enough to change his mind, at the same time his cellphone rang. His brows deepened and I quickly acted.

"I'm sure it's something important, why don't you attend to that? Be back in an hour...or less."

I kissed his cheek quickly and hurried out of the room before he could agree or disagree.

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I winked at Loretta, giving her the go-signal, she flashed me a brief smile before walking in the other direction, Fred followed after her, there was nothing suspicious, he was just her bodyguard. Lucian had called at least three times in the last few minutes, I had to reassure him that nothing was wrong. Letting me go out without him was difficult, nearly impossible, and I didn't blame him. It was his condition. He would always get paranoid that something bad would happen to me if he was absent. This was like a sort of test, I believe that slowly, we would come to alleviate the clouds of doubts in his mind.

I walked through each stall of clothes and jewelry, conscious of Devin who was standing at least six feet away. He had helped me out the other day, I suddenly thought about getting him a gift, at least to show my appreciation.

My eyes caught on a wristwatch, giggling to myself as I thought that perhaps I should get Lucian and Devin a twin pair of it.

I quickly added it to my things to get, we were starting to walk out when a person who had been coming from the other side suddenly bumped into me. I gasped from the contact, Devin was there instantly, his eyes fully alerted as he shoved the man roughly.

"Are you alright?" He turned at me before glaring at the man who was struggling to get up. I suddenly felt bad, it was just an accident, he didn't have to pounce on him like that.

The man's hoodie covered his hair, a face mask covering the lower half of his face, tinted eyeglasses kept his eyes from view.

"You didn't have to do that!" I mouthed, the man scrambled to his feet and started to run away but not fast enough for my eyes not to catch on the markings on his wrist. Why did that seem so familiar?

My heart missed a beat as I suddenly remembered, Derek also had that marking the last time I saw him.

I couldn't tear my eyes away even when the man disappeared from view.

Was it really a coincidence?

"What's wrong? Are you suspicious about something?" Devin asked, looking even more alert.

"I just think I know that man, he looks like Derek, but I might be wron..."

BANG!

The sound interrupted me, then the noises of people screaming. My eyes flickered in alarm as people ran from a particular direction.

"Oh my god! Someone was shot!" A woman's shrill voice sounded.

"Help! Someone help!" Another yelled. My eyes flee to Devin's at that moment, I knew we both shared the same thoughts.

Loretta.

Oh no!

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