Jacob's POV

The sight in front of me hit hard. Shopping bags were torn open and scattered all over the asphalt. One bag still had the white blouse she had liked so much.

The faint smell of her—lavender mixed with fear—hung in the air and made my stomach twist.

My breath caught, and my chest felt tight. “Damn it…” The words came out rough. “I shouldn’t have left her alone.”

I crouched and touched a ribbon that had fallen from her bag. It was still warm, which meant she had ...