Jane.
I answered imdiately.
"Sir, everything is ready. We’ll depart in two hours."
"Good," I replied. "et at the airport."
"Understood, sir."
The call ended.
I entered the walk-in closet, changed into fresh clothes, and prepared for the journey.
A short while later, I headed downstairs.
"Good morning, sir."
Maria’s voice greeted as I descended the staircase.
"Morning, Maria."
She looked over.
"Are you going sowhere?"
"Yes. Please help pack a few things."
A hopeful expression flashed briefly across her face, but she quickly hid it.
"Of course, sir."
Then she pointed toward the dining table.
"Sit down and have breakfast first."
I opened my mouth to refuse.
I had no appetite.
But Maria cut off before I could speak.
"Even if it’s only a little."
Her voice was gentle, yet firm enough to leave no room for argunt.
Reluctantly, I sat down.
Only after serving a plate did she head upstairs to prepare my things.
I forced myself to eat a few bites.
Nothing more.
By the ti I stood up, Maria was already descending the stairs carrying a small travel case.
She handed it to .
Then her eyes landed on my injured hand.
Her brows imdiately furrowed.
"What happened to your hand?"
I instinctively lowered it.
"It’s nothing."
"Sit down," she said firmly. "Let bandage it first."
I shook my head.
"No need, Maria."
She frowned.
"Sir—"
"I’m already running late for my flight."
For a mont it looked as though she wanted to argue.
In the end, she simply sighed.
"Then please be careful."
I nodded.
Outside, Jim was already waiting beside the car.
Without wasting another minute, I got in.
The engine started.
And soon we were on our way to the airport.
I t Jane at the private tarmac.
Henry was already there waiting with her, carrying a tablet and several docunts tucked beneath his arm.
The three of us boarded the jet shortly afterward.
The entire flight felt endless.
Every minute seed to stretch into an hour.
For the first ti in my life, I found myself wishing the aircraft would move faster.
Alicia had been gone for days.
Every second felt precious.
Several hours later, we finally landed in M City.
The mont we stepped off the jet, warm tropical air greeted us.
Jane had already arranged transportation.
A black SUV was waiting nearby.
I climbed into the back seat while Henry and Jane occupied the front.
As the vehicle pulled away from the airport, I turned my gaze toward the window.
Palm trees lined the roads.
The sky stretched endlessly above us, painted in brilliant shades of blue.
In the distance, flashes of crystal-clear water shimred beneath the sunlight.
The scenery was beautiful.
Yet I barely noticed any of it.
My thoughts were elsewhere.
For the first ti since beginning this search, I felt truly afraid.
What if she wasn’t here?
What if this clue led nowhere?
This was the first real lead we had found.
The only lead.
If Alicia wasn’t here, where would I even begin searching next?
Would I spend months looking?
Years?
Would I ever find her at all?
A helpless feeling settled heavily in my chest.
I lowered the window and allowed the warm ocean breeze to brush against my face.
The fresh scent of saltwater filled the air.
For a brief mont, it eased the pressure in my mind.
I forced myself to focus on the possibility that mattered most.
Maybe she was here.
Maybe this ti I was finally close.
Less than an hour later, the SUV arrived at the resort.
Even I couldn’t help being montarily stunned by the sight.
Turquoise waters stretched endlessly toward the horizon.
Luxury villas stood above the ocean, connected by elegant wooden walkways.
The white sand looked untouched beneath the sunlight.
Waves rolled gently onto the shore while tourists laughed and wandered along the beach.
It looked like paradise.
The kind of place people ca to escape reality.
The kind of place Alicia would love.
The thought made my chest tighten.
The resort manager personally ca to welco us.
He led us through the property while enthusiastically introducing its facilities.
Restaurants.
Private beaches.
Water villas.
Activities.
I heard every word.
Yet none of it truly registered.
My attention remained fixed on the people around us.
Every woman with brown hair made my heart jump.
Every familiar silhouette forced to look twice.
Each ti, disappointnt followed.
Eventually, the manager handed us our room keys.
I turned to Jane and Henry.
"The flight was exhausting. Go get so rest first."
Both of them nodded.
"And you, sir?" Jane asked.
"I’ll rest too."
It was a lie.
The mont they disappeared, I headed straight back outside.
After changing into more comfortable clothes in my suite, I began walking through the resort.
The ocean breeze continuously brushed against my skin.
Children ran along the beach laughing.
Couples walked hand in hand.
Others relaxed beneath umbrellas while enjoying the view.
Different languages filled the air from every direction.
The atmosphere was peaceful.
Comforting.
Yet it only made feel worse.
This was the one place Alicia had openly shown interest in visiting.
And I had never paid attention.
Even when nana suggested bringing her here for our honeymoon.
I had refused without a second thought.
Back then, I never imagined I would one day travel halfway across the world searching desperately for her.
A bitter smile appeared on my lips.
Life truly had a cruel sense of humor.
I continued walking.
Searching.
Hoping.
Every few monts, my gaze would lock onto soone in the distance.
My heart would leap.
Then sink again.
Not Alicia.
Not her.
Not her either.
After what felt like hours, I silently made myself a promise.
If I found Alicia...
If she gave even the smallest chance...
I would spend the rest of my life making up for everything.
Every disappointnt.
Every tear.
Every regret.
I would make it up to her.
Suddenly, my phone began ringing.
The sound pulled from my thoughts.
I reached into my pocket to answer it while still walking.
At that exact mont, soone collided with .
"Sorry—"
The apology ca imdiately.
I looked up.
The words on my tongue died instantly.
Everything around seed to stop.
The sound of the waves.
The voices.
The movent of people.
All of it faded into the background.
Because the person standing in front of wasn’t a stranger.
It was Aiden.
He froze too.
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
We simply stared at each other.
Then a terrifying thought entered my mind.
A thought so painful that it felt like soone had driven a knife straight through my chest.
My breathing faltered.
A sharp ache spread through .
I stumbled slightly.
Aiden reacted imdiately, reaching out to steady .
"Alexander?"
I barely heard him.
My eyes remained fixed on his face.
Trying to convince myself I was mistaken.
Trying to convince myself this wasn’t real.
But it was.
Aiden was here.
In M city.
The sa place I had co searching for Alicia.
My chest tightened painfully.
No.
No.
This couldn’t be happening.
Surely I was overthinking.
Surely this was just a coincidence.
Because Alicia wouldn’t leave with another man.
Would she?
She wouldn’t be so disappointed in ...
That she’d take my child and start a new life with soone else.
Right?.....
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