The vehicle ride was filled with mixed emotions. Tom's relief was evident, "I'm glad we finally got rid of Andrew. We can live normal lives again."
Hart's disagreement was clear, "I don't know, Tom. I still believe Andrew is innocent." Tom's frustration showed, "Come on, Michael, you saw the image, didn't you? It was obviously Andrew."
Hart's calm demeanor remained unwavering, "The image wasn't clear, so we can't tell." The tension lingered until Gabriel broke the silence, "We haven't heard from the children."
Hart's brow furrowed with concern as he scrolled through his phone. "Guys, I have ten missed calls from Shawn." He quickly dialed Shawn's number, his anxiety growing.
Gabriel's voice was laced with worry. "I also have missed calls from Jaden, but he's not picking up."
Hart's face darkened. "Shawn's also not picking up. I think something's wrong."
Tom's voice trembled. "Mia always picks her calls, but she isn't picking." He stepped on the gas, his urgency to reach home palpable. The atmosphere in the vehicle grew increasingly tense, filled with foreboding and concern for their children.
*****
Shawn trudged into his room, exhausted by the night's events. A long, warm shower washed away some of his fatigue, but his emotional turmoil lingered.
Just as he stepped out of the bathroom, his father, Hart, appeared, relief etched on his face. "Gosh, I thought something happened," Hart said, embracing Shawn tightly. "Thank God you're okay."
However, Shawn remained silent, his eyes downcast. Hart's concern grew. "Where are Jaden and Mia?" he asked, but Shawn didn't respond.
Tiana's soft voice came from behind, "They went home." Hart's eyes welled up with tears as he turned to embrace his daughter, whom he hadn't seen since his wife's disappearance. The reunion was bittersweet, filled with emotion and unspoken pain.
Hart's eyes searched Tiana's face, concern etched on his features. "Did something happen?" he asked, his voice laced with worry.
Tiana's expression was grave, "I need to tell you something, Dad. It's about Mom." Her words hung in the air, and Hart's face fell, anticipating the worst.
Tiana's words cut through the air, "Yes, let's just go. Shawn won't talk to anyone now." Hart's heart skipped a beat as he glanced at his son, still wrapped in a towel, before following Tiana out of the room.
Once they were gone, Shawn locked his door and began to get dressed. He yearned for solitude, wanting to escape the overwhelming emotions that threatened to consume him. The thought of skipping school the next day crossed his mind.
Downstairs, Tiana revealed the horrifying truth to the fathers. She recounted the events that transpired during their absence, including Amber's abduction and the attic incident. Hart's face contorted in anguish as he listened.
Without a word, Hart sprinted up to the attic, his heart heavy with foreboding. The sight that greeted him was gruesome – the attic was covered in blood. Hart's eyes widened as he touched the stain on the floor, his voice barely above a whisper, "So it's true."
A primal scream tore from his throat, "Amber!" Hart's body shook with sobs as he mourned the loss of his wife. He stayed in the attic for a while, crying uncontrollably, before composing himself enough to return downstairs.
By the time he descended, Tom and Gabriel had already left to check on their children, leaving Hart alone with his grief.
Hart's anger boiled over, "Why did you keep such a thing from me, Tiana?" His voice was laced with pain and accusation.
Tiana's tears flowed freely as she apologized, "I thought I was protecting you, Dad. I'm sorry."
Hart's words cut deep, "Sorry won't bring Amber and Stella back now, will it?" Tiana's attempt to explain was halted by Hart's pain-stricken expression and his harsh tone.
Hart's words were final, "Save it. I need you to leave my house first thing tomorrow morning." He turned and walked upstairs, leaving Tiana in tears.
Tiana knew her father's anger was justified. She had kept secrets that could have changed everything. She realized she had no choice but to leave.
Meanwhile, Gabriel and Tom arrived at Tom's house, finding Jaden asleep outside Mia's room. "Hey, Jaden," Tom said, gently shaking him awake.
Jaden rubbed his eyes, "Oh, hey Dad, Uncle." His gaze drifted to Mia's locked door. "How's she?" Gabriel asked, concern etched on his face.
Jaden's expression was somber, "Devastated. She won't listen to me." Tom sighed, "Let's go. We'll talk to her tomorrow." Gabriel added, "Go to bed now. Tomorrow everything will be fine."
Jaden's voice was laced with uncertainty, "I hope you're right, Dad." He nodded and headed to his room, leaving Tom and Gabriel to exchange concerned glances before retiring to their own rooms.
Tom took a moment to call Livy, filling her in on the events of the previous night. The weight of their children's trauma hung heavy in the air.
The next day, despite their reservations, the three friends attended school at their fathers' insistence. Shawn's fragile emotional state was further strained by Mia's presence.
The school's rumor mill was in overdrive, with students whispering about the previous night's events. Someone had leaked the news, and it spread like wildfire.
Mia approached Shawn, determined to apologize once more. However, Shawn's anger and pain were still raw, and he refused to engage with her.
The cruel whispers of "murderer" from their classmates pierced Mia's fragile heart. The boys weren't immune to the taunts either.
Overwhelmed, the trio decided to leave school early, unable to bear the weight of their peers' judgment and scrutiny. The emotional toll of the previous night's events continued to mount.
Mia's voice trembled as she spoke to her father over the phone, "Hello, Dad. I'm not going back to school." Tom's gentle inquiry, "And why's that?" was met with Mia's anguished cry.
"I can't take it anymore, Dad. Everyone at school won't stop calling me a murderer." Her words were punctuated by sobs, "Last night, I could barely sleep. I kept seeing blood in my dreams. Shawn won't talk to me. I just can't, Dad."
Tom's soothing voice offered comfort, "(Sighs) Okay, sweetie. I'll meet you at home, okay?" Mia's small "Okay" was followed by the sound of the call ending.
She leaned into Jaden, tears streaming down her face. Jaden's supportive presence was a balm to her frazzled emotions.
In a surprising turn of events, both Mia and Shawn expressed a desire to leave Melbourne, citing the painful memories and constant reminders of their traumatic experiences. Their fathers were taken aback by the suggestion.
A meeting was called at Gabriel's house, bringing together the three fathers and their children to discuss this unexpected development. The atmosphere was tense, with uncertainty hanging in the air.
The tension in the room was palpable as Tom asked, "We all know why we're here, right?" Jaden's nod was the only response.
Tom's gaze turned to Mia and Shawn, "Mia, Shawn?" They reluctantly replied, their voices barely above a whisper.
Tom's firm tone brooked no argument, "Turns out you two want to leave Melbourne, but that won't happen." Mia's determination was clear, "I've made up my mind, Dad. I'm not staying here. I can't stay here."
Shawn's anger boiled over, "Since she wants to leave, then let her. I only wanted to leave because she's still here, and I want to avoid her face. I don't ever want to see her again." He stormed out of the room, leaving Mia in tears.
Her voice trembled, "You see, this is why I want to leave. I can't stand his attitude." The emotional wounds between Mia and Shawn seemed insurmountable.
Jaden chimed in, "I thought it was because of the rumors." Mia's response was laced with a mix of sadness and desperation, "That too." Though she knew the rumors weren't the core issue.
Tom's firm stance was unwavering, "Mia, you won't leave, and that's final." Mia's words sent a chill through the room, "Unless you want me to take my life, Dad, I won't stay here."
The gravity of her threat hung in the air, and Hart's expression softened. "Don't say such things, Mia. I'll talk to Shawn. Don't worry."
Mia's resolve remained unshaken, "I've made my decision, Uncle, and nothing or no one can change my mind about it, not even you, Jaden." Her arms crossed, a physical barrier reflecting her emotional distance.
Jaden's loyalty was clear, "If she leaves, I leave with her." Hart's plea for reason fell on deaf ears, "Can you kids be reasonable for once?"
Gabriel's calm demeanor was a contrast to the tension, "Because I have nothing to say. Looks like they've made up their minds. We can only respect that decision. Whenever they're ready to talk with each other again, they always know where to find Shawn."
Hart's concern was evident, "(Sighs) This is not good at all." Tom's question hung in the air, "Mia, Jaden, do you really want to leave?"
Mia's response was resolute, "Yes." Jaden's solidarity with Mia was clear, "If that's what she wants, then yes."
Tom's shoulders slumped in resignation, "(Sighs sadly) Fine." The weight of their decision settled in, and the room fell silent, each person lost in their thoughts.