Chapter 153: Too Late
"What?"
Theo’s frown deepened. His eyes darted instinctively toward Daisy, who sat quietly at the dining table, spooning porridge into her mouth as though nothing was amiss. He turned away, lowering his voice. "What do you mean, gone?"
Miles’s voice crackled faintly over the line. "When I received your order earlier, I went straight to the centre. But... he’s gone. They said his wife came and took him. They couldn’t refuse—she has the legal right."
Theo’s grip on the phone tightened until his knuckles turned white. "When?!" His voice rose, sharp enough to make one of the maids glance nervously his way. He caught himself, teeth grinding as he forced his tone lower. "Why the hell didn’t they call me right away?"
Miles hesitated on the other end, his voice tight. "It happened this morning. By the time I got there, the paperwork was already signed. They said she was insistent, and the staff couldn’t stop her."
Theo’s jaw clenched so hard it ached. He dragged a hand down his face, trying to smother the fury boiling in his chest. ’Damn it...’
"Theo?" Daisy’s soft voice floated from behind him. She had set her spoon down, her wide eyes fixed on his stiff back. "Is there something wrong?"
Theo turned slightly, forcing a strained smile. "Nothing, finish your porridge first." He pressed the phone tighter against his ear, lowering his voice further. "Where did they take him? Do you know?"
"I’m trying to track it down now," Miles answered quickly. "But I thought you should know immediately. I’ll report again once I get more of the details..."
"No," Theo cut in, his voice firm and low, every syllable sharp. "Don’t wait. Get him back, no matter what it takes... whatever deal you need to make, whatever strings you have to pull. Do you understand me?"
There was a pause, then Miles replied, "Understood, sir. I’ll move right away."
Theo ended the call with a snap, his grip on the phone so tight his knuckles blanched. He drew in a slow breath, trying to steady the storm rising inside him, then turned back toward the dining table.
"Finish eating?" He forced a smile as he sat down beside her, though the tightness in his jaw betrayed the effort it took to mask his anxiety.
"Something’s wrong, isn’t it?" Daisy asked quietly, her spoon clinking against the porcelain bowl as she set it down.
Theo shook his head lightly, brushing it off with practiced ease. "Just office matters. You know Liam... he’s been grumbling for days now. I’ve skipped the office for more than a week, and he thinks the sky is falling." He gave a small chuckle, though it sounded more hollow than amused.
"Liar..."
Theo froze for a second before dramatically covering his mouth. "Are you a psychic... how did you know?" His tone was playful, but his eyes gave nothing away. He paused, then reached out and gently clasped her hand, thumb brushing over her knuckles.
"Actually..." he sighed as though confessing, "I didn’t want to bother you with the details, but Liam messed up a contract draft. If I don’t settle it soon, it’ll delay the client meeting. So... I need to go to the office... That’s all."
He smiled faintly, squeezing her hand. "Nothing worth worrying about. You just focus on getting better."
Daisy’s shoulders eased a little, though her eyes still searched his face as if to make sure. "Do you... need to go now?" she asked softly, her fingers gently curling around Theo’s hand.
Theo shook his head without hesitation, brushing his thumb over her knuckles in a steady, reassuring motion. "No. I’ll stay until you’ve eaten and gone back to rest. Work can wait a little longer."
"Are you sure?" Daisy’s smile widened, her relief showing through, clearly pleased with his answer. She didn’t feel like resting alone inside that big, empty room.
Theo nodded, his gaze softening as he leaned closer. "I’m sure. I won’t leave you alone."
Daisy blinked, hesitating. "Then... should I follow you instead? If you keep accompanying me at home, you might end up with a lot of delayed work."
Theo chuckled softly, brushing his thumb over the back of her hand. "Silly... you think I’d get any work done with you there? I’d just end up watching over you the whole time." His voice lowered, tender. "Don’t worry about delays. Right now, you’re more important than anything waiting on my desk."
Daisy straightened her shoulders, a little spark of stubbornness lighting her eyes. "I’m okay now, really." Before Theo could stop her, she suddenly stood up, turning around lightly as if to prove her words. "See? I’m fine."
But the smile that had been tugging at Theo’s lips faded in an instant. His body went still, his eyes narrowing as they traced her frame. The loose fabric of her clothes couldn’t hide what he suddenly saw clearly, she was thinner, too thin, her shoulders sharper, her waist smaller than it used to be before the kidnapping.
His chest tightened, the protective warmth in his expression slipping into something darker. The room seemed to quiet around them as he stared, unable to look away, his heart pounding with both fear and guilt.
"Daisy..." His voice was low, almost hoarse. "I’m sorry..."
In two strides, he was in front of her, pulling her into his embrace as if he could shield her from everything, including himself. His arms tightened around her fragile frame. "Why did I do that? Why was I such a fool?"
Daisy let out a soft gasp at his sudden intensity, then she playfully pushed at his chest, narrowing her eyes at him. "Yeah, you are a fool."
Her lips curved into a tiny pout that made his heart ache even more.
"Thank you... thank you for giving me another chance," Theo whispered, his voice rough with sincerity. He cupped her face gently, his thumb brushing away the faint dampness at the corner of her eye. "I swear, Daisy... I’ll make sure no one ever lays a hand on you again."