MATHEW

As soon as I got into the car, I clutched my hands tightly, trying to stop them from trembling. My mind was a mess, but I kept repeating the same thing to myself, over and over again, like a mantra.

Everything will be fine.

Brother-in-law will bring her back safely.

Ari is gonna be fine.

But no matter how hard I tried to reassure myself, I couldn't ignore the gnawing fear that was eating away at me. I glanced at the driver, who sat still, his hands steady on the wheel. Something about his silence unnerved me, but I pushed it down, swallowing the lump in my throat.

"Why...