chapter 2

The sun was setting over the city, casting golden hues across the bustling streets. At Greenview Academy, Mrs. Harrison parked her car near the entrance, stepping out with her usual warm smile as she made her way to pick up her two children, Lily and Max.

"Good evening, Mrs. Harrison!" the school's receptionist greeted her.

"Good evening," she replied. "I'm here to pick up Lily and Max."

The receptionist's smile faltered slightly. "Oh, but they've already been picked up."

Mrs. Harrison's heart skipped a beat. "Picked up? By who?"

"A woman. She said she was sent by you. She had all the necessary paperwork."

Mrs. Harrison felt her stomach drop. "That's impossible! I didn't send anyone!" Her voice trembled, panic creeping in.

The receptionist paled. I'll call the principal immediately."

As calls were made and authorities were alerted, Mrs. Harrison's mind raced. Who could have taken her children? Her thoughts spiraled into fear and confusion, and then, like a lightning strike, she remembered the incident at Steele Industries, the altercation between Kara Steele and her husband.

"No" she whispered, her heart pounding.

At a secluded house on the outskirts of the city, Kara lounged in a chair, her lips curling into a cold smile. She sipped her wine as she glanced at her phone, where a photo of the two Harrison kids popped up on the screen.

"They're fine," she muttered to herself. "Just a little lesson for Daddy Harrison."

Kara's plan was meticulous. She had orchestrated everything to perfection, hiring someone to impersonate Mrs. Harrison, forging the paperwork, and ensuring the children were taken to a safe but isolated location. Her goal wasn't to harm them physically but to deliver a blow that would crush Mr. Harrison emotionally.

"He wanted to play hero," Kara muttered bitterly, swirling her glass. "Now he'll know what it feels like to lose something precious."

Her phone buzzed with a message from the hired driver.

"The kids are asking for their mother. What do we do?"

Kara rolled her eyes, typing back quickly: "Keep them quiet. Don't hurt them. I'll decide what to do next."

When Mrs. Harrison called her husband in tears, he immediately dropped everything and rushed home. By the time he arrived, the house was a flurry of activity police officers taking statements, neighbors offering support, and Mrs. Harrison sobbing uncontrollably.

"Harrison!" she cried, running into his arms. "Our babies! They're gone!"

He held her tightly, his mind racing. "We'll find them," he assured her, though his voice betrayed his fear.

Then, as the pieces began to click in his mind, his face darkened. Kara Steele. She was behind this. He was certain of it.

Later that evening, Alden found Kara sitting in the garden, looking as if she hadn't a care in the world. The sight of her calm demeanor enraged him.

"Kara!" he thundered, storming toward her.

She looked up lazily. "Father. What's with all the drama?"

"Don't play games with me!" Alden snapped, his face red with anger. "What did you do to Mr. Harrison's children?"

Kara smirked, leaning back in her chair. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't lie to me!" Alden's voice cracked with emotion. "Do you realize what you've done? Those are innocent children! This isn't just your petty revenge, it's a crime!"

Kara's expression hardened. "He humiliated me, Father. He went out of his way to paint me as a monster to you. He deserved to feel the pain he inflicted on me."

Alden's hands trembled as he stared at his daughter. "Pain? Kara, do you hear yourself? This isn't pain you're inflicting, it's cruelty. You're becoming someone I don't recognize."

Kara stood, her eyes blazing with defiance. "Don't lecture me, Father. You've always turned a blind eye to what I do. Why start now?"

Alden's heart broke at her words. "Because I failed you, Kara," he said softly. "But I won't let this go any further. You're going to fix this. Right now."

She folded her arms, glaring at him. "And if I don't?"

"You'll leave me no choice but to involve the police," Alden said gravely, his voice filled with resolve. "This isn't a game anymore, Kara. You need to understand the gravity of what you've done."

For a moment, Kara hesitated, a flicker of doubt crossing her face. But her stubborn pride wouldn't let her back down so easily.

"This isn't over," she said coldly before storming away, leaving Alden standing in the garden, a broken man desperately trying to save his daughter from herself.

The air in Alden Steele's office was thick with tension. Harrison stormed in, his face flushed with anger, his voice booming.

"You think this is acceptable, Alden?!" Harrison roared, slamming his fists on the desk. "My children are missing because of your daughter's sick games!"

Alden stood behind his desk, his usually calm demeanor faltering. "Harrison, I understand how this looks."

"How this looks?" Harrison cut him off, his eyes blazing. "Kara didn't just cross a line, she obliterated it! You pampered her for years, and now, she's putting innocent lives at risk! My children, Alden! My children!"

Alden held up his hands. "I swear to you, I'll fix this. I'll find them."

"You'd better," Harrison hissed, his voice trembling. "Because if anything happens to Lily or Max, our friendship is over. And your reputation? It'll be in shambles."

As soon as Harrison stormed out, Alden called his chief of security, Lucas.

"I need every available man on this now," Alden ordered, his voice steely. "Check every property, every warehouse, every corner of this city. Find those kids, Lucas. And bring them back safely."

"Yes, sir," Lucas replied, already moving to mobilize his team.

Alden sank into his chair, rubbing his temples. He had always known Kara was troubled, but this was beyond anything he had imagined.

In an abandoned building on the outskirts of the city, Lily and Max huddled together on a dusty mattress. The hired goons Kara had employed loitered nearby, occasionally glancing at their phones.

"I want to go home," Lily whispered, clutching her brother.

"Me too," Max said, his voice trembling. "Do you think Mom and Dad will find us?"

"They will," Lily said, trying to sound braver than she felt. "They always do."

A few hours later, Alden's team stormed the building. The goons barely had time to react before they were overpowered. Lucas led the way, finding the children in a dimly lit room.

"It's okay," Lucas said gently, kneeling before them. "You're safe now. We're taking you home."

Lily burst into tears, and Max clung to Lucas, their relief palpable.

By the time Alden arrived at the Harrison residence with the children, the atmosphere was a mix of relief and tension. Mrs. Harrison rushed to embrace Lily and Max, tears streaming down her face.

"My babies!" she cried, holding them close. "I thought I'd never see you again."

Harrison stood a few steps away, his arms crossed, his face hard as stone.

"Thank you," Mrs. Harrison said to Alden, her voice choked with emotion.

Alden nodded, then turned to Harrison. "I'm sorry," he said, his voice heavy with guilt. "This never should've happened. I'll make sure Kara never pulls a stunt like this again."

Harrison's eyes narrowed. "It's not about what you'll make sure of, Alden. It's about what you've allowed. You've let Kara's behavior spiral out of control, and now innocent people are suffering."

"I know," Alden admitted, his voice cracking. "I was blind to it, Harrison. I thought I was protecting her, but I see now I was only enabling her. Please… give me a chance to make this right."

Harrison sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I want to believe you, Alden. But my family comes first. If Kara ever comes near them again, I won't be so forgiving."

When Alden returned home, Kara was waiting in the living room, lounging on the couch as if nothing had happened.

"I see you found the brats," she said nonchalantly.

Alden's patience snapped. "Kara!" he thundered, his voice echoing through the house.

She flinched but quickly masked it with a smirk. "What? They're fine, aren't they?"

"They could've been hurt!" Alden shouted, his face red with anger. "Do you even understand what you've done? You kidnapped children, Kara! You endangered lives!"

She rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. I just wanted to teach Mr. Perfect a lesson."

"This isn't a game, Kara!" Alden snapped. "Do you realize how close I came to losing a lifelong friend because of your actions? How close you came to ruining innocent lives?"

Kara's smirk faltered, but she quickly replaced it with defiance. "Maybe if you weren't always siding with your precious friends, you'd understand what it's like to feel betrayed."

Alden stared at her, his heart breaking. "I've failed you," he said quietly. "I've let my love blind me to the damage you're causing, to yourself and to everyone around you. But this ends now, Kara. You're going to therapy, and you're going to face the consequences of your actions."

"Therapy?" Kara sneered. "You can't be serious." Do I look sick to you? Have you taken time to understand me and my feelings even for once?" I am very much okay dad, I don't need therapy, I think you have other things to worry about apart from my actions."Kara said.

"I've never been more serious," Alden said firmly. "You need help, Kara. And I'm going to make sure you get it, even if it means you hate me for the rest of your life."

For the first time, Kara didn't have a retort. She simply stared at her father, the weight of his words sinking in. But whether they would change her remained to be seen.

The Steele mansion was unusually quiet that morning. Alden sat in his study, nursing a cup of coffee and reflecting on the past few days. Kara had been confined to her room, a punishment he hoped would give her time to reflect on her actions.

It was a fragile peace, but one Alden clung to. That is, until the sound of knocking echoed through the halls. The butler, Henry, opened the door, only to reveal two uniformed police officers.

"Good morning," one officer said, his tone firm but respectful. "We're here to speak with Kara Steele."

Alden stood, alarm flashing across his face as he stepped into the foyer. "What is the meaning of this?"

The lead officer adjusted his hat. "Mr. Steele, we have a report filed against Kara Steele regarding the abduction of two minors, Lily and Max Harrison. We're here to take her into custody for questioning."

Alden's chest tightened. "This must be a mistake," he said, his voice tinged with desperation. "I've already handled the matter with Mr. Harrison. He assured me that he would let my daughter go this time and that I would discipline her accordingly." Why would he go back on his word, Alden wondered.

"It isn't Mr Harrison sir, his wife Mrs. Harrison filed the report," the officer interjected. "I'm sorry, sir, but this is out of your hands now."

"Kara!" Alden called, his voice echoing through the mansion.

Kara descended the stairs slowly, her expression a mix of defiance and confusion. "What's with all the commotion?" she asked, her gaze landing on the officers.

"They're here for you," Alden said, his tone heavy with regret.

"For me?" Kara smirked, but it didn't reach her eyes. "What could they possibly want?"

The officer stepped forward. "Miss Steele, you're under arrest for the abduction of Lily and Max Harrison. You have the right to remain silent"

"What?" Kara's voice rose, her composure cracking. "This is ridiculous! I didn't hurt them! They were fine!"

"But that doesn't change the fact that you went against the law, kidnapping is punishable by law."

Alden raised a hand. "Kara, stop."

"Dad, you're just going to let them take me?" she snapped, panic seeping into her voice.

"I can't protect you from this, Kara," Alden said softly. "You brought this on yourself."