Chapter 508 - Lack of sleep (1/2)

~ Seattle, Hill family villa ~

Next morning, Stella returned to Hill family villa. Her movements were slower than usual, and her clothes showed sign of prolonged wear. It was obvious that she didn't sleep at least one night, and she didn't change her clothes either.

She went to master bedroom, freshened up and got a fresh set of clothes. She was tired, but she wanted to talk to Edward first.

Mr. Joe informed her that Edward is in the study.

Stella entered study room and found Edward sitting at his desk. His hands were in a praying position, palms connecting, and his nose was hovering few inches above his index fingers. He was staring at an invisible spot on his desk.

”You don't look like you slept enough…”, she noticed dark circles around his eyes.

He gave a vague nod and looked up to her.

”Same as you.”, he observed that she does not look much better than he does. ”What is going on?” He didn't delay in wanting to know what keeps his wife awake at night.

Stella smiled and shook her head. 'This man… always ready to fix things for me.' But this time no matter how much she wanted to avoid involving him, she felt that she needs to, if she wants to get her answers.

”I need your help to look into something.” Stella was feeling guilty to ask for his SP3CT3R services, but her own resources didn't find anything, and she does not have other choice than to turn to her husband for help. After all, this is an emergency. She feels that family is preparing to make a move on their daughters, if they didn't start already, and she needs all the information she can get her hands on, in order to plan her next move.

Edward raised his eyebrow as a sign that he is listening.

”Sarah's apartment in Fairfield. I need to know as much as possible about previous owners.” Stella anxiously expected his answer.

”OK.” He shortly responded. Based on Stella's behavior he can tell that it's probably something related to her family.

”Thanks.” Stella was grateful that he didn't ask more questions.

The reason she was reluctant to ask him for help is because they have an agreement not to meddle in each other's work. She prefers that he is not implicated in anything related to her side of family. If they discover that her husband is SP3CT3R, they will come after him as well. The only reason they didn't force him to become active part of the family as soon as Elders found out about their relationship is because they believe that he is an ordinary person without special skills; useless, how her own parents call him.

”Did kids leave?” Stella was referring to Sarah and Aiden. She checked dining and family room, and it was empty. She knows that Sarah and Aiden are about to head out for their trip that morning, but she was not sure if they already left.

”Yes. You missed them by about one hour.” Edward's expression darkened.

”What happened?”, Stella asked seeing change in Edward's mood.

”Are you sure about him?”, Edward struggled to keep his voice calm. ”That he is not a threat?”

Stella was confused for a second until she realized who Edward is talking about. ”Who? Aiden?”

Edward gave a small nod as a response.

Stella frowned seeing how serious Edward is. All kind of scenarios formed in her mind. 'Did he betray Sarah? No, no… I watched him for a long time, he adores Sarah, he would not hurt her… Did he join Voronin family?! No, he would not leave Sarah… Did he convince Sarah to join Voronin family with him?!!'

She struggled to stay calm while asking again, ”What happened?”

Edward inhaled, ”Last night, the boy stopped by… to tell me that he is taking our baby girl… on a… vacation…”