The Bride Widow
Chapter 168: She vanished - Part 1

Chapter 168: 168: She vanished - Part 1

Anabella’s life had turned into a whirlwind of anxiety, each ring of her phone sending waves of panic coursing through her.

Every time her phone buzzed, her hands trembled, and her heart raced as she feared another threatening message or a call from an unknown number.

She tried to brush it off, but the constant tension gnawed at her, fraying her nerves and leaving her exhausted.

Her coworkers noticed the change in her demeanor, the way she would flinch at the slightest sound or jump whenever her phone went off.

They exchanged concerned glances but knew Anabella well enough to understand that direct confrontation would only make her withdraw further. Anabella had always been reserved, and any hint of overt concern would push her deeper into her shell.

Still, they couldn’t ignore the situation entirely. One afternoon, Lucy, one of Anabella’s closest colleagues, decided to approach her during a quiet moment at the bakery. "Anabella, have you thought about going to the police?" Lucy asked gently. "Maybe they can help you find out who’s sending those messages. It could give you some peace of mind."

Anabella shook her head, forcing a weak smile. "I’ll be fine, Lucy. It’s just some prank or something. Not a big deal."

Lucy frowned, unconvinced. "It’s not just a prank, Anabella. It’s affecting you. You’re on edge all the time, and we’re worried about you."

Anabella’s smile faltered, and she looked away, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I don’t want to bother the police with something so... trivial."

Lucy sighed, sensing Anabella’s reluctance to take the issue seriously. But she couldn’t shake the feeling that this was more than just a prank.

The fear in Anabella’s eyes was real, and it was clear that she was struggling to cope. Determined to help her friend, Lucy decided to take matters into her own hands.

The next morning, Lucy left early for the police station, hoping to report the harassment on Anabella’s behalf. She believed that even if Anabella was hesitant, the authorities should at least be aware of the situation.

However, as the day went on and the bakery buzzed with activity, there was no sign of Lucy. Her absence didn’t go unnoticed. Anabella couldn’t shake the unease that settled in her chest. Lucy had never missed a day of work without informing someone, and her sudden disappearance felt ominous.

The other coworkers began whispering among themselves, speculating about what might have happened.

Anabella, despite her own anxiety, found herself growing increasingly worried about Lucy.

The last conversation they had replayed in her mind, and a deep sense of guilt gnawed at her. What if Lucy had gotten into trouble because of her?

Unable to focus, Anabella finally excused herself and stepped outside for some fresh air. The cool breeze did little to calm her racing thoughts.

She took out her phone, hesitating for a moment before dialing Lucy’s number. The call went straight to voicemail, and Anabella’s heart sank. She left a message, her voice trembling slightly. "Lucy, it’s Anabella. I’m worried about you. Please call me back when you get this."

Returning to the bakery, Anabella’s anxiety grew with each passing hour without any word from Lucy.

The sense of dread she had been living with since the messages started now extended to her friend.

She couldn’t help but feel responsible, thinking that Lucy’s disappearance was somehow connected to the situation she had tried so hard to ignore.

That evening, as the bakery closed and the staff prepared to leave, Anabella lingered, her thoughts a chaotic mess.

She knew she couldn’t stay silent anymore. If something had happened to Lucy because of her refusal to act, she needed to set things right.

______

The bakery’s usually bustling atmosphere was dampened by a somber air as the manager, sat in her office, reviewing the attendance records. Lucy’s unexplained absence had stretched into several days, and despite their growing concern, there had been no communication from her.

The manager sighed heavily, knowing that she had no choice but to address the situation formally. With a reluctant heart, she filled out the paperwork, officially marking Lucy’s employment as terminated due to unannounced absenteeism.

Anabella watched from her station, feeling a knot of guilt twist in her stomach. Lucy had only been trying to help her, and now she was out of a job.

The thought of Lucy’s empty space at the counter, her cheerful presence missing from the bakery, filled Anabella with a sense of dread.

She couldn’t shake the feeling that Lucy’s disappearance was connected to the unsettling messages she had been receiving.

That evening, as the bakery was winding down and the staff prepared to close for the night, an unexpected visit added to the tension. Lucy’s parents arrived, their expressions strained and worried. The moment they stepped in

side, the concerned murmurings of the staff fell into a hush.

The manager approached them, her face softening with concern. "Mr. and Mrs. Carter, is everything all right?" she asked, already suspecting the answer.

Mrs. Carter clutched her purse tightly, her voice shaky. "We’ve been trying to reach Lucy, but she hasn’t returned our calls. We thought maybe she’d been by here, or... or told someone where she might be. We’re very worried. This isn’t like her."

Anabella felt her heart drop. The reality of Lucy’s absence hit harder now, knowing her parents were involved. The worry etched on their faces made it clear that something was very wrong.

The Manager’s brows knit together in concern. "She hasn’t come to work for days. We were hoping she’d just taken some time off without telling us, but if you haven’t heard from her either..."

The staff gathered around, listening intently, their expressions mirroring the growing fear in the room.

Anabella’s mind raced, piecing together the possible scenarios. Lucy had gone to the police to report the harassment Anabella had been facing. Could something have happened to her because of that?

"We’ll do everything we can to help find her," The Manager assured them. "Have you reported this to the police?"

Mr. Carter nodded. "Yes, but we’re worried. She wouldn’t just vanish like this."