The forest was dark. Roxanne relied solely on her torchlight; the faint moonlight was insufficient to illuminate the path.

She walked carefully, unsure of her location. Estella was nowhere to be seen.

After sending Archie and Benny back to the hotel, Roxanne checked the WhatsApp group. None of the other parents had seen Estella. No one had yet searched the forest. This was the only place left. If Estella was here…

The thought terrified Roxanne. She herself was scared of being alone; Estella, a little girl, was even more vulnerable.

"She wouldn't have come here if it weren't for me," Roxanne thought, gritting her teeth and quickening her pace. She had to find Estella.

"Essie! Where are you?" she shouted, moving deeper into the forest. Despite shouting until hoarse, she received no answer.

Suddenly, she saw movement in a nearby bush. Hope flared—was it Estella? She strode over.

As she approached, something jumped from the thicket. Roxanne shuddered, on the verge of screaming. It was just a wild rabbit. Relief washed over her.

Yet, the memory of Estella's unknown whereabouts returned, intensifying her anxiety. She walked faster.

Soon, despite her disorientation, she vaguely heard intermittent sobs. Her heart leaped—was that Estella?

She slowed, cautiously approaching the sound. In a deep pit, Estella sat huddled, covered in dirt, crying hysterically.

She had run from the hotel that afternoon, intending to return to the botanical garden to find Roxanne, Archie, and Benny. A snake had startled her; in her panic, she'd run aimlessly into the forest. Before she knew it, she was deep inside.

She tried to leave but couldn't find her way out. The forest grew darker as she stumbled forward, and she fell into a hole. She tried to climb out, but the slippery, moss-covered walls thwarted her efforts.

She felt trapped. But she knew Lucian and Roxanne would come for her, so she waited quietly, not overly afraid. However, the pit grew pitch black.

Something fell on her hand. She shrieked and cowered, tears streaming uncontrollably. She didn't dare move. Hungry and terrified after waiting all afternoon, she wept silently, fearing attracting danger.

She'd lost track of time. Hiccups racked her body. "Daddy, Ms. Jarvis, Archie, Benny… anyone, please find me! I'm so scared. I'll never run away again."

Thinking of Roxanne's gentle face, she felt sorrowful. "I wonder if Ms. Jarvis is looking for me… I miss her so much…"

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