Room for You
Chapter 57

Chapter 57

“Feeling better?” Elliot asked in a deep voice.

The head-rush that made Anastasia sway on her feet was ebbing, but itwas then that she suddenly realized Elliot was holding her in his arms.She quickly stepped backward to create some distance between them,only to bump into the table behind her.

"Ow!" she exclaimed. The next second, she was pulled back into Elliot'sembrace, even though she had burrowed out of it mere moments ago.When her face collided against the muscled planes of his chest, sheheard a thud followed by a dull ache that spread over her cheekbone.However, before she could fully register the pain, she felt a large palmclasp over her wrist. She was in a stupor as she was pulled to the carthat was parked by the curb. When the door on the passenger's sideopened, Elliot pressed her firmly into the seat.

As soon as she sat down, she fished out her phone and called herfather's number, only to hear Francis’ panicked cry on the other line.“Anastasia, Jared hasn't been found yet.”

“Don't worry, Dad. Jared is just fine. He's safe, and I'm on my way topick him up right now.”

“What? Where's Jared? Where is he?”

“A kind shopkeeper is watching over him now and I'm heading over topick him up.”

“Give me the address and I'll be right there as well.

Erica is supposed to be with Dad this evening, and because Erica is adangerous person, there is no way I'll let her near Jared. With that inmind, Anastasia responded hastily, “Dad, I'm sure you're tired, so youshould get some rest. I'll go and pick up Jared myself.”

“No, I need to make sure that Jared is alright,” Francis insisted; he wasso beside himself with worry that he thought his stomach might turninside out.

“I know, but I'll be right over to see you after I have picked Jared up,”she placated. She could get to the bottom of how Jared had gonemissing by the end of the night since she suspected that Erica hadsomething to do with it.

She hung up the phone and next to her was Elliot already driving overto the location of the store. As the car sped through the streets,Anastasia kept her eyes closed while she tried to recompose herself.Only heaven knew how terrified she had been earlier; she nearly losther wits.

This was the first time since Jared's birth that she had found herself atthe mercy of fear.

At last, they pulled up outside a boutique. Anastasia saw her son sittingon the couch as soon as she walked through the door and she brokedown in tears of relief as she cried, “Jared!”

“Mommy, Mommy, you're here!” The little one ran up to her and threwhis arms around her. She crouched low as well and pulled him into herembrace, her tears silently streaming down her face.

Meanwhile, the shopkeeper who had been watching over Jared noticedthe man standing behind Anastasia, after which she immediatelythought in surprise, Wow, what a catch! This has to be the kid's father.They look exactly like each other!

With his handsome features and tailored suit, Elliot looked dazzlingwhere he stood tall and straight beneath the lights. There was nomistaking the grace and elegance that he emanated. Although hedidn't say anything, he seemed relieved as his gaze fell upon theembracing pair of mother and son.

Anastasia straightened her posture and unclasped the necklace she waswearing, which was the only valuable thing she had on her person atthe moment. She took the female shopkeepers hand and thanked, “Idon't have my purse with me, but take this necklace of mine as areward for your kindness; the necklace is worth twenty thousand.”“Oh, no, there's no need for that. Anyone else would have done thesame thing. The kid is precious. Make sure you keep an eye on him nexttime,” the shopkeeper gently responded as she nudged Anastasia’shand away in her refusal to accept the reward.

“Thank you so much. You're my son's lifesaver. Could we at least getyour number?” Anastasia gazed upon the shopkeeper, the gratitudepooling in her eyes

The girl seemed a little flustered as she urged, “There's no need to beso formal with me. Take your child home now and get some rest.”Upon seeing how the girl had so adamantly turned down the reward,Anastasia had no choice other than to profusely thank her. The littleone next to her looked up at: Elliot at that moment and asked, “Mr.Handsome, were you the one who drove my

mommy over here?”

“That's right, buddy. Do you know how terrified your mom was? Yougave her quite the fright,” Elliot said as he crouched down and pulledthe boy into his arms.

“I'm sorry, Mommy. It was my fault; I never should have run off on myown,” Jared apologized guiltily, realizing the gravity of the situation.After thanking the shopkeeper, Anastasia turned to him and asked,“Jared, can you tell me how you got lost?”

“Grandpa was parking the car when Aunt Erica told me she was goingto buy me yummy snacks, but she went and never came back. I wantedto look for her, but I got lost,” the little boy answered frankly.

Burning rage filled Anastasia when she heard this. Gritting her teeth,she thought, You were trying to abandon my son on purpose, weren'tyou, Erica?