When My Husband Refused to Save Our DaughterChapter 1
It was meant to be a happy day. Sienna was turning three.
My little girl spun around the cabin that morning, laughter spilling from her lips, her cheeks glowing as she showed off the pink dress I had picked out weeks ago just for her. She looked like pure sunshine, and for a moment, I let myself believe the day would be perfect.
We were celebrating on a cruise ship—streamers wrapped around the railings, pastel balloons bobbing in the breeze, servers weaving through the crowd with slices of cake and sparkling drinks. Music drifted through the open deck, mingling with the sound of waves and laughter. Guests smiled for photos, children ran around excitedly.
And I kept glancing at my watch.
I was waiting for my husband, Aldrin.
Late. Again. As always.
“Mommy…” Sienna tugged gently at my fingers, her small face tilted up at me. “Is Daddy coming?”
I crouched down in front of her and brushed her hair back, pasting on a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes. “Of course he is, sweetheart. He’ll be here soon.”
Even as I said it, something heavy settled in my chest. I knew better. Work always came first—for him. And lately, so did whoever he claimed he was working with.
Still, I refused to let his absence ruin her birthday. I kissed her forehead and encouraged her to join the other kids for a bit while I made my rounds, greeting guests and thanking them for coming. Just a few minutes, I told myself. Nothing would happen in a few minutes.
When I turned around again, my heart dropped straight into my stomach.
Sienna wasn’t there.
The air felt too tight to breathe. My eyes raced across the deck—faces, tables, railings—but I didn’t see her curls, her dress, her tiny shoes. Her laughter was gone. In its place, panic surged, hot and terrifying.
“Sienna?” My voice trembled. Louder this time. “Sienna!”
People glanced over, concern flickering across some faces, confusion on others. A few shook their heads. No one had seen her. My knees nearly buckled as I grabbed the railing for support. My baby. My only child. She had vanished.
With shaking fingers, I pulled out my phone and called Aldrin. The ringing felt endless. Once. Twice. Then—
A woman moaned.
I went completely still.