Chapter 162

I ran for the main hall so hard my breath tore at my throat.

Still gripping Noah's hand tightly, the first place I headed was the children's playroom.

Thankfully, Jayden was still in the room, but unlike before, Melody was nowhere in sight.

"Jayden! Where's Melody? Where is she?"

"Huh? We were playing hide-and-seek, remember? Are you gonna join too? But why do you look so..."

Seeing my frantic expression, Jayden trailed off, clearly bewildered.

"Playtime's over! Melody! Come out, quick!"

I shouted into the air, but the room stayed dead silent. With no answer coming, my heart plummeted, pounding wildly.

"Jayden. Do you have any idea where Melody's hiding?"

"I couldn't find her either, so I kept calling for her, but she never answered..."

Could she have fallen asleep?

The image of her small mouth, yawning over and over the last time I'd seen her, flashed into my mind.…