Realizing that Spencer wasn't pleased, Nathalia quickly changed the subject.

"Court day is coming soon. Do you want to talk to dad?" she asked tentatively, thinking if they could negotiate it personally, it would be better. It wasn't Curt that he worried about, she was more concerned about Spencer. She didn't want him to regret it.

​​

Though Curt hadn't been a good father, he had at least provided material support and security. And Spencer did love his father still. He hid it well, but she could tell.

Spencer passed her the salad and replied a bit impatiently, "The lawyer will talk to him."

Nathalia knew that Spencer wasn't being annoyed by her, but the topic. It seemed that every time this subject was brought up, Spencer got impatient.

Love is a strange thing. It can be so deep and profound that it's confusing. Some people spend their whole life trying to understand it but in vain. Nathalia thought to herself.

"I guess mum is not changing her mind." Nathalia pursued gently.

"No, she's not," Spencer said plainly.

No children would be happy to see their parents' divorce. Even though Spencer didn't get along with his father, he wasn't pleased.

They ate quietly for a while. Nathalia glanced at him a few times. "Jake is a nice person. Why do you dislike him so much?" she asked again tentatively.

Spencer's face turned stern instantly. "Nathalia, come on. You know why. I'm your husband. Shouldn't you stand by my side instead? Why are you speaking well of him?" She knows I don't want to talk about him. I hate the way he looks at mum. Ugh!

Nathalia understood how he felt, but she tried to persuade him. "But he might be your step-father in the future..." Mum might remarry. It's possible.

Spencer put his fork down and said, "Impossible! I don't like your guess."He was obviously annoyed, but Nathalia wasn't worried. She shrugged her shoulders and went on, "Well, what if mum really loves him? Will you still be against it?"

"I'm sure mum knows better. She's got such a better taste." Spencer said abruptly. He then realized that they might end up arguing if they continued the subject. "Alright, let's talk about something else."

But mum loved dad. Does that say mum has good taste? Nathalia thought but didn't voice herself so as not to irritate him more.

Suddenly, Nathalia's phone rang. Spencer took it from the tea table and passed it to Nathalia. It was Lisa. Strange. She rarely calls me at this time. Nathalia thought.

"Hello." She answered the phone.

"Nathalia, are you and Sophie alright? I have been hoping either of you would give me a call. I'm a bit worried, you see." Sophie sounded anxious.

"Huh? Why? Is Sophie not home?" Nathalia was startled. "We separated after lunch, and I came home."

Lisa gasped. "I called her a few times, and I couldn't get through. Did she tell you where she would go? Oh, where can she be?"

Nathalia knew that Sophie was very close to her mother, and she always let her know her whereabouts.

This wasn't normal. She took a look at the time. It was ten past seven. It had been about seven hours since they separated. Why is she not home yet?

"No, she didn't. I thought she went home." Nathalia replied as calmly as she could manage.

"Nathalia, I'm worried. She always lets me know, you know. Oh, where is she?" Lisa started panicking, her voice trembling.

Nathalia could sense the fear in Lisa's voice.

She herself grew anxious as well, but she tried to remain calm. "Don't worry, Lisa. I will try calling her now, and I will let you know as soon as I have any news."

As soon as she hung up, she called Sophie again and again, but no luck. It was the robotic voice saying the line was busy.

"Answer the phone! What's she doing? It's worrying." Nathalia said anxiously.

"Perhaps she's with Matt?" Spencer suggested. It was possible.

"Huh? Yeah, why didn't I think of that?" Sophie is all over him. She will do anything he requests. Nathalia thought, and her face lit up as if she saw hope. She quickly called Matt.

"Hi, it's me, Nathalia." Her voice trembled slightly. "Matt, is Sophie with you?" She asked directly, too anxious to go through the usual greetings.

Matt looked a bit disappointed. "No, why?"

"Shit. Where is she?" Nathalia felt a sense of unease. She managed to tell Matt about what happened calmly.

"So you can't get through to her, and she is not home?" Matt confirmed.

"Right." The thought that Sophie had gone missing popped in her head, but she dared not voice it, fearing that it would come true if she said it. If anything happens to her! God! Please keep Sophie safe.

Matt was worried too. "She might just be out shopping or something. I will ask my old colleague at the police to check."

"Ok. Thanks. Please let me know when you know anything." Nathalia hung up.

Where can she be? Where? Think, Nathalia, think! She thought to herself. I should have insisted on taking her home! Why didn't I?! Oh, stupid me.

Spencer put his arm around Nathalia's shoulder and comforted her, "Don't worry. She will be fine."Then he made a phone call and made some requests. "We will find out where she is very soon."

Nathalia felt as if a giant claw was gripping her heart. She kept calling Sophie even though she knew it would not go through. It was the only thing she could do.

Evening slowly grew into the night. Seated on the sofa, her face pale, she was in tears, worrying. Suddenly her phone rang, but it didn't show the number of the caller. Nathalia gasped.

She took a deep breath before she answered. "Hello?"

Silence.

"Hello? Who is it?" Nathalia asked again.

Silence.

Nathalia's heart was racing. Helplessly she cried, "Is that you, Sophie? Answer me! Sophie?"

Finally, there came a reply, "Nathalia Davidson." It was a man's voice, low and strange. The way he pronounced Nathalia's name sounded odd.

Nathalia sat up straight. "Yes, it's me. Who is it?" she tried to sound calm.

Spencer frowned and gestured to Nathalia to turn the speaker on. She did.

The voice replied slowly, clearly and threateningly, "I have your friend, Sophie Watson."