Loving DAD 1036

Samantha hesitated. “If Johanna finds out you’re scheming against the man she likes, she’ll never let it go.” 

Victoria replied calmly, “That’s one of the reasons I haven’t told my dad or brothers. Once they learn Thomas’s true identity, they’ll either try to win him over–which means they’ll probably push him and Sharon together–or they’ll see him as an enemy, and things will turn ugly. Johanna likes Thomas. I don’t want my family clashing with him. Jamie, for her sake, won’t take things too far.” 

Samantha smiled faintly. “You always think things through, Victoria.” 

That foresight was one of the reasons they had remained such close friends. Victoria wasn’t someone who could be easily bullied, but she also wasn’t ruthless–she knew when to advance and when to retreat. 

2 

When Victoria noticed the time, she and Samantha left the café. 

The moment they stepped outside, a license–plate–free car screeched to a halt in front of them. 

Before they could even register what was happening, several men rushed out and dragged them into the vehicle. 

At the same time, Jamie received word that Johanna had been kidnapped. His expression darkened. He immediately ordered his assistant to investigate her whereabouts, then grabbed his coat, ready to handle the rescue himself. 

But just as he was about to leave, his phone rang again—it was Silas. 

“Jamie, Victoria’s been kidnapped. Come to the Kalen residence right away.” 

Jamie froze mid–step. “What did you say? Victoria’s been kidnapped too?” 

Silas caught the alarm in his voice. “What do you mean ‘too‘? Someone else was taken?” 

“Johanna,” Jamie said grimly. “She’s missing as well.” 

“Could it be the same people?” 

“Too soon to tell. We’re still looking into it.” 

“Either way, get over here first,” Silas said. “We’ll plan our next move together.” 

Victoria and Johanna’s kidnappings went completely unnoticed by Sharon. 

At that very moment, she had just received a call from Carter. He told her that Theo had come to Marcentine to see her. 

It had been a long time since Sharon last saw her son. During her previous hospitalization, she’d been afraid something might go wrong, so she hadn’t let him visit. But Theo had missed her terribly, crying and pestering every day to see his mother. 

Unable to refuse him–and wanting an excuse to see Sharon himself–Carter had finally brought the boy to Marcentine. 

Sharon and Thomas went to the airport to meet them. 

The moment Theo spotted her, he sprinted forward and threw himself into her arms. 

“Mommy! I missed you so much! Did you miss me too?” 

He had no idea about her kidnapping or the injuries she’d suffered. 

Sharon hugged him tightly, smiling. “Of course, Mominy missed you too.” 

Chapter 1036 

Though she hated to admit it, she finally understood how deeply she had failed in raising him. 

+25 BONUS 

Theo’s past defiance wasn’t entirely his fault–she had contributed to it herself. She’d lowered herself too much, given too much without boundaries. Family bonds needed nurturing, not just blind sacrifice. 

As Theo’s excitement faded, his gaze landed on Thomas standing nearby. His eyes lit up. 

“Thomas!” 

Thomas smiled, ruffling the boy’s hair. “You’ve grown taller, Theo.” 

Seeing both his beloved mother and Thomas, Theo could barely contain his joy. 

Standing beside them, Carter watched the scene unfold–and a bitter taste filled his chest. His own son preferred the company of a man he despised. (1) 

For the first time, he finally understood how Sharon must have felt back then.