Chapter 65

No matter which road we chose, our fate seemed sealed from the outset. I slapped myself hard, but the pain was nonexistent. Regret gnawed at me—why had I become so entangled with a man like him? From start to finish, he belonged to neither Nicole nor me; he only ever loved himself.

"This isn't exactly good news, so I hope you can keep it confidential," Chase said. "She's got her whole life ahead of her."

"We understand," I replied. "Since you've explained the situation, we won't refuse. We know these international businessmen and have helped others before, but…" He paused. "I have to be upfront. If she's been gone this long, even if we find her, we can't promise she'll come back unchanged. We're all in business here, Mr. Reyes. I hope you understand. If I make these connections and the Reyes family seeks revenge, it puts us in a difficult position."

"Don't worry, I won't cause you any trouble." I looked over at Mark, who brought several briefcases and placed them on the table. They were filled with cash. "This shows my sincerity."

"Alright then, Mr. Reyes. Just give us her details, and we'll start investigating."

Mark showed them my photograph, and they froze in shock. "Isn't this Mrs…" They stopped abruptly, their leader glaring at them until they corrected themselves. "I mean, Ms. Kennedy."

"Mr. Reyes, rest assured. We'll get back to you as soon as possible."

Chase dismissed them, and Mark gestured for them to leave. "Just contact us when you have something. I won't see you out."

"Of course, we won't take up any more of your time, Mr. Reyes."

The room quickly emptied, leaving Chase and me alone. I reached for a glass of wine, but my fingers passed right through it. I sighed. Chase's presence was bothersome, so I retreated to my grandmother's book. Grandma was aging and frail. I longed to spend more time with her, even if only in spirit.

As night fell, the room glowed with warm light. Grandma knelt on a cushion, bowing repeatedly to the Madonna statue, murmuring prayers for my safe return. I gazed up at the statue. If divine beings existed, why did they allow evil to prevail? Why do good people die young, while the wicked seem immortal?

Grandma, even at her age, still worried about me day and night. The guilt weighed heavily upon me. But what could I do? I was powerless, merely an observer.

"Mom!"

I heard my mother's voice from outside. Her visit at this hour was unexpected. She wasn't particularly fond of Grandma, but she respected and feared her, knowing how formidable she had been in her younger days. She wouldn't be here without a reason.

A servant wheeled Grandma out, and I observed my mother—my mother, as radiant as ever. Even though Chase showed signs of weariness, my disappearance seemed to have left my mother untouched; it was as if my absence had no impact on her. Grandma held a rosary, and the leather-bound book rested on a small blanket over her knees, a testament to her constant prayers. Her eyes, fixed on my mother, were brimming with displeasure. "What brings you here?"

Chapter 66