Beneath the image, written in Alexander’s handwriting, were the words:
‘If there is one thing I have wanted for as long as I can remember, it is to see you wear a wedding dress like this.’
Mia’s heart began to race so fast she could feel it in her ears.
A happy, almost disbelieving smile spread across her face. She bit her lip, staring at the page for a long moment, her emotions swirling—excitement, nervousness, joy.
Then, without overthinking it, she reached for her phone and dialed Emily’s number.
When the call connected, Mia asked brightly, “Will you go wedding dress shopping with me?”
***
Alexander returned home on a Sunday evening.
He entered the house with quick, eager strides, excitement and urgency written all over him—only to be met with silence.
He frowned slightly, scanning the space.
Anita emerged from the kitchen, surprise lighting her face. “Mr. Graves, you’re back already?”
Alexander barely registered her words. His eyes scanned the house, instinctively searching.
“Where’s Mia?” he asked, already moving toward the stairs.
Without waiting for a reply, he took the steps two at a time and pushed open her bedroom door.
And stopped cold.
The room was empty.
The wardrobe stood open—bare. The shelves were cleared. Every dress, every belonging, every trace of her presence was gone.
The room looked lifeless.
Alexander’s heart dropped straight into his stomach.
Panic surged through him.
He rushed into his own bedroom next, searching desperately—but Mia wasn’t there either.
His chest tightened as anxiety wrapped around him like a vice.
He bolted down the stairs. “Anita!” he called sharply.
Before she could respond, his phone vibrated.
That ringtone—the one he had specifically set for Mia.
His hands shook slightly as he pulled out the phone.
A text message.
Mia: ‘I need to talk to you about something. Meet me at this location.’
Alexander’s heart pounded uncontrollably. Without another word, he turned and stormed out of the house.
Allen was already waiting by the car.
