The sky was growing darker. The night breeze blew gently from outside the window, seeping in through the vents of Elena's large house in the elite neighborhood. In the living room, the atmosphere was quiet but filled with an invisible tension.

Elena sat on the sofa with her body slightly hunched over, her hands clutching her phone, as if waiting for a call or message to come in every second. Her heart was racing uncontrollably.

“Still no news…” Elena whispered, more to herself than anyone else. Her voice was barely audible.

Beside her sat Mrs. Sonia—Nathan’s biological mother—who had come earlier that day to accompany Elena. Her face was filled...