Chapter 63

“If we’d started searching right after she disappeared, we might have had a chance. But now it’s been over twenty days, and she’s probably been smuggled out of the country,” Joshua said. He started to light a cigarette, then hesitated, remembering he was at the Reyes’ home, and pocketed it. “Lately, human trafficking and organized crime are wreaking havoc overseas, affecting countless families.”

“I’ve seen the news.”

Joshua scoffed. “The news? It’s far worse than what they show, especially for women. For those caught, it’s a living nightmare. Mrs. Reyes is lucky she’s young and beautiful. They won’t simply discard her. But beauty can be a curse too…”

He trailed off, but Mark understood, his face darkening. “Even if we find her, she might not be the same. Would the Reyes family accept her back?”

Chase’s voice, firm and unwavering, cut through the air from behind them. “Yes. No matter what Amanda has become, I will find her. Start gathering information immediately. See if she’s fallen into their hands.”

“Yes, Mr. Reyes.”

Joshua grunted, and I chuckled.

Chase, should I praise your undying love? You’d rather believe I was sold than dead. If I truly became as tainted as they claim, would you still take me back? Of course not. It’s just your ego.

Once Joshua left, Chase sank into a garden chair. The previous night’s heavy rain had cleansed everything, leaving the air fresh and fragrant with greenery. The world felt newly born. Plum trees were in full bloom. Chase stared at them, lost in thought.

“Mr. Reyes, you don’t look well. Maybe you should rest. I’ll let you know immediately if we hear anything,” I said.

Chase tightened his grip on the swing’s armrest, his gaze distant. “Amanda loved sitting here, soaking up the sun.”

Sensing his despair, Mark offered comfort. “Yeah, back then, you and Mrs. Reyes were inseparable. She’d swing, and you’d be there to push her.”

I noticed the veins in his hands, and his voice became wistful. “But it’s been years since I last pushed her.” He opened his hands, one still bearing marks from gripping the armrest too tightly. “How did we end up like this?”

I echoed his question silently. How did two people so in love end up here? Separated by life and death. I hated him intensely, yet I couldn't get my revenge; I only watched him wander like a ghost.

Mark sighed. “Do you really not know why?”

It’s because of Nicole. Everyone knew, except him.

“Did I really mess up? Is it too late to fix things? Could Amanda ever forgive me?”

Mark shook his head. “As Joshua said, Mrs. Reyes has been gone over twenty days. If she’s been trafficked abroad, I fear the worst…”

Chapter 64