The morning light streamed through the hospital window, casting a warm glow on the small tray of breakfast set before Victoria. Despite the sterile atmosphere of the hospital room, the smell of freshly brewed coffee and warm toast added a touch of comfort to the new day. On her plate sat a perfectly cooked omelet with fresh spinach and tomatoes, a small bowl of mixed fruit, and a slice of whole-grain toast slathered with a thin layer of butter.
Victoria picked at the omelet absentmindedly, her thoughts consumed by her daughter. Alessia. She smiled to herself as she rolled the name over in her mind. Alessia Kane—it had a strength and elegance that she loved. She and Zayden had agreed on the name late last night after hours of deliberation, each of them wanting something meaningful for their little fighter.
Elena sat on the chair beside her, sipping on a cup of tea. “You’re glowing,” Elena said with a smirk, setting her mug down. “I can’t tell if it’s the breakfast or the fact that you’re officially a mom now.”
Victoria chuckled, pushing a piece of omelet around her plate. “It’s Alessia,” she admitted. “Every time I think about her, I feel this… overwhelming love. It’s like nothing else matters anymore.”
Elena leaned back in her chair, a fond smile on her lips. “She’s lucky to have you. And that name—it’s perfect. Strong, just like her mom.”
“Zayden thought so too,” Victoria said, glancing at the door as if expecting him to walk in at any moment. “He’s so smitten with her already. It’s adorable.”
Elena grinned. “Well, of course. The man’s head over heels for both of you. I caught him staring at that NICU photo of Alessia like it was the Mona Lisa.”
Victoria laughed softly, her heart swelling. For the first time in weeks, she felt a sense of peace. Alessia was here, safe, and thriving, and she finally felt like things might be looking up.
Just as Victoria took another bite of her toast, a sudden commotion broke the calm. Outside her room, she heard the sound of hurried footsteps and voices—doctors and nurses rushing down the hallway. Her brows knitted together in confusion as she set her fork down.
“What’s going on?” she asked aloud, looking at Elena.
Elena stood, her own curiosity piqued. “Let me check.”
But before Elena could step toward the door, Victoria heard a voice that sent her heart racing.
“Where is she?!” Zayden’s frantic voice rang out, loud and filled with panic. “How could this happen?”
Victoria’s stomach dropped as she threw back the covers and swung her legs over the side of the bed. Ignoring Elena’s protests, she stood, her body still weak but propelled by sheer adrenaline.
“Victoria, wait!” Elena called, trying to steady her.
“I need to know what’s happening,” Victoria said firmly, gripping the IV pole for support as she moved toward the door.
As she stepped into the hallway, the scene before her was chaotic. Nurses and hospital staff darted back and forth, their faces tense with urgency. At the center of the chaos stood Zayden, his usually calm demeanor replaced by a look of pure desperation. He was gripping a nurse’s shoulders, his voice trembling with anger.
“How does a baby just disappear?” he demanded. “This is a hospital! There’s supposed to be security everywhere!”
The nurse stammered, her face pale. “Dr. Huntington, we—we don’t know yet. The NICU is on lockdown. We’re doing everything we can to figure out what happened.”
Victoria’s voice cut through the commotion as she approached. “Zayden!” she called, her breath shallow as panic surged through her. “What’s going on?”
Zayden turned to her, his face stricken. “Tori…”
“What is it?” she asked again, her voice breaking. “What happened?”
He stepped closer, his hands gripping her arms as though to steady both of them. “Alessia,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “She’s gone.”
Victoria felt the world tilt beneath her feet. “What do you mean, gone?” she asked, her voice trembling. “Where is she?”
“Someone took her,” Zayden said, his jaw tightening. “The nurses went to check on her this morning, and her incubator was empty.”
“No…” Victoria’s voice cracked as tears streamed down her face. “No, this can’t be happening. She was just here! She was fine!”
“We’re going to find her,” Zayden said firmly, his own eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I promise you, Tori. We’re going to get her back.”
A security guard approached, his face grim. “Dr. Huntington, Mrs. Cross, the hospital is on full lockdown. No one is leaving or entering until we’ve searched every inch of the building.”
Victoria’s knees buckled, and Zayden caught her before she hit the ground. “She’s so small,” she whispered, her voice broken. “She’s helpless. Who would do this?”
Elena appeared beside them, her expression fierce. “We need to call Tobias and Jonathan. They’ll know how to handle this.”
Zayden nodded, pulling out his phone. “I’ve already notified the police. They’re on their way.”
As the reality of the situation settled in, Victoria’s fear turned into a deep, burning resolve. She wiped her tears, her eyes narrowing. “Whoever did this… they won’t get away with it. I’ll tear this hospital apart if I have to.”