Are you done your Cameron’s magnetic voice broke the silence. Yanina felt her and muttered under her breath, “Maybe I should sleep the instead. ” She herself to look at him. It was a lie to say she didn’t care about Cameron; she had pushing him away, putting on to protect herself and numb her feelings. But tonight, sharing room, she worried that all her defenses would come crumbling down. was at stake, Cameron he couldn’t her sleep outside the bedroom. Carl found out the he’d be kicked out of Zamora family. He quickly locked the door, pocketed the key, and faced Yanina, You’re sleeping here no I’ll take my shower now… that he grabbed the key and headed into the bathroom. Yanina shook her head at the locked door and pulled a set of from the closet. She lay on the sofa, but sleep. wouldn’t come. She and turned, feeling and restless. Suddenly, she heard bathroom door creak open. Freezing in place, she not move. Cameron emerged, grabbed a thin blanket from the cabinet, and settled on the bed. With the wall clock in the background, the rain pattered against the window, filling the silence with a soothing- rhythm. But it couldn’t out tension room. “Are you asleep? Cameron’s deep voice cut through the silence again. remained the urge to turn over. there was an in her body, responding to his presence. Unable to resist any longer, Cameron got up, walked over to Yanina, and her gently bed. The bed was spacious, but as their breaths Cameron felt rush of heat surge inside him. He leaned in, to her warmth, their bodies colliding after like eternity of restraint. Even he could her face. “Cameron!” Yanina bit her trying her composure. But her voice, thick with only added to then, series of impatient sounded at the door. Yanina snapped back to reality, pushed Cameron away, and curled up. battling the heat radiating from his body. took a deep breath, threw on some clothes, and went to open the door. was Sherry, frantic. As soon as saw Cameron, grabbed his hand. “Cameron, you have to help! Chris is missing! “She out after dinner hasn’t come back. phone isn’t working. What something to her?” voice trembled she spoke, and she collapsed, burying her face in her and crying. Understanding the gravity of the situation, Cameron helped Sherry to the living room. Inside, Carl, Ethan, Quinei, and workers filled the room, their expressions anxious as they tried to figure out what to do. “Wasn’t Steven with Have you called him?” Cameron asked, trying to stay calm. “I called him, but phone is off too… Quinci sighed in frustration, rubbing her temples. frowned and pulled his phone call Zak. “Check all the hotels in the city. See there are any records Christina and Steven checked in anywhere. After call, he turned to Sherry. “Mom, panic. Chris is she knows how to care of herself. From what he knew Christina, had a rough day, facing humiliation because of Yanina, but with around, she nothing to get back at Yanina. Therefore, it made sense that want to run thinking maybe disappearing would force the family to take her seriously. It was way for her reclaim some control she felt cornered. “Cameron, can Zak find Should we go look for her?” Sherry wiped her tears, anxiety all face. She needed to see safe, Just as opened his mouth to respond, his buzzed with a message. It was from Zak. [Celestial Dawn Hotel!] Cameron a rush of relief. The Dawn Hotel was family–owned, and it meant Christina probably safe there. “Mom, Chris and Steven are at the Dawn Hotel, said, showing her the screen. A wave relief washed over Sherry, a smile through her worry. Til go pick up Chris!” Cameron his head. “I’ll go. stay here. His expression darkened. It just about Christina fit; he found that Steven was with her. He thought, ‘Does Steven he’s part of the family?‘ Cameron had hearing rumors about the Hopper and being with now raised red flags for him. hurried back to his room, grabbed his coat and car keys, and glanced Yanina, was sitting on the bed. “I’m heading out for bit. Yanina jumped up, having heard about disappearance, too. The rain was pouring outside, and the Zamora residence was in the the coast. The coastal road would and to navigate the dark. Yanina was worried Cameron. Cameron raised an surprised that she was about his safety. “Don’t get the wrong idea. I just can’t here. When you Christina, drop off at SouthHaven Apartments, Yanina said, throwing on her jacket and following him downstairs. Staying in Zamora residence felt risky. Cameron drove straight Celestial Dawn Hotel, his mind racing. Carl stood by the window, watching faint glow of their headlights as they drove letting a heavy sigh. Ten minutes later, Cameron were the coastal highway, navigating through the torrential rain. They kept the speed down, aware that conditions were treacherous. “Watch out!” Yanina yelled, spotting a rock middle of road. must have the mountain. Cameron swerved and hit the brakes, the road was slick. Just as they realized it was too late, the car collided with the rock with a loud thud, sending back end spinning out. In that split second, Cameron reached out to shield Yanina, her into his glass shattered around them. The tires screeched the pavement, harsh; sound that pierced the chaos. After sliding a the car Chapter 18 finally came to halt on the shoulder. “Are you okay?” Cameron’s voice was rough he lowered gaz