Chapter 1

ALEXANDRO

“10 million dollars. That is my offer for you to find the person behind Emily’s disappearance. I could give you more if you want, just find that f*ckin' person.”

I stared seriously into the eyes of my cousin and lawyer, Charlie.

“Alex, this happened a long time ago. Aren’t we ever going to stop searching? Besides, I am a lawyer, not a detective—”

“I will never f*cking stop until I find out who was behind Emily’s death. What happened was not just a simple gas leak. It was intentional, meant to kill everyone on that yacht that night,” I replied firmly.

“But Alex, you know finding this person will not be easy. It takes time to locate and confirm their identity,” he answered.

“If I have to spend every last cent I have to find them, I will do it. I will f*cking make that assh*le pay. I will make them feel every f*cking bit of pain I have carried for nine years.”

My hands clenched into fists as I glared sharply into the distance. For so long, I have waited to find this person so I could punish them..... slowly and painfully.

“Alex—”

“Will you do it or not? We are just wasting time here, Charlie,” I asked. I saw him hesitate, but after a moment, he finally made up his mind.

“I will do this. I will help you, Alex.”

“Good. Take the money and leave. I do not want to hear anything else from you except updates about this case.”

Charlie simply nodded, said his goodbyes, and left afterward. I was left alone in my office, rubbing my hands together as a burning anger swelled inside me.

I poured red wine into my glass and drank it right away. I wanted to calm myself down, but whenever Emily’s name was mentioned, I felt like I was losing control.

I will not rest until justice is served for the loss of my wife, Emily.

***

 

“Daddy, I don’t want a nanny. I want my mommy.”

I gave a soft smile as I watched my daughter Kai complain. She refused to let her nanny feed her dinner.

“You may go and attend to other things. I will take care of her,” I told Kai’s nanny. She placed the food in front of my daughter, bowed politely, and left. “Kai, you need a nanny. I cannot watch over you all the time. You know I have many responsibilities.”

But my daughter only threw a bigger tantrum.

“Is your business more important than me? I want you to stay with me. I don’t have a mommy anymore, and I barely get to see you. All I ever see are nannies and guards,” she cried out loud.

“We have no other choice. If I do not work, what will happen to your future?” I asked, but she kept crying.

I let out a deep sigh, then lifted her up and sat her on my lap.

“Kai, please cooperate with Daddy. I promise, once I finish all my meetings and work, we will go on a long vacation, okay?” I assured her.

“Promise?” she asked, making sure. I gave her my widest smile to calm her down.

“Promise.”

In an instant, her sweet smile returned to her face. “Yey! I will keep your promise, Daddy!”

I set Kai back on her chair, and this time she ate her dinner with more energy. I kept glancing at my daughter, thinking to myself..... if only my wife Emily were still alive, our little girl would surely be the happiest child in the world.

***

 

I STAYED with Kai in her room to read her bedtime stories until she fell asleep. Only a few minutes had passed, but I noticed her breathing had already become deep and steady.

“Goodnight, sweetie,” I whispered, stroking her head and kissing her forehead.

I quietly placed the book back on her shelf before stepping softly out of her room. I was about to head to my own bedroom when my phone suddenly rang.

“Hello?” I answered, my tone serious and cold.

“Boss, we found a woman who looks exactly like Madam Emily!”

My heart began to race at the news from one of my men. I frowned in confusion.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“We saw her in the city looking for work. We checked her details right away. Her name is Isabel Ramirez.”

“Come to the mansion immediately and bring me every detail you have about this woman,” I ordered.

“Yes, Boss.”

I ended the call and ran my hands over my face, a mix of excitement, nervousness, and curiosity rushing through me.

I quickly took out a cigarette, lit it, and went downstairs to the living room. I paced back and forth, waiting impatiently, until they finally arrived. I threw away the cigarette b*tt and walked straight to the main door.

“Who is this woman?” I asked right away.

“This is her photo,” my man replied, handing me a wallet-sized picture. “Her name is Isabel Ramirez, thirty years old. She is currently unemployed and looking for a job. She is the only daughter of a fish vendor mother and a father who is paralyzed.”

I listened to the information, but my eyes remained fixed on the photograph of Isabel Ramirez. She really looked identical to my wife!

“Anything else about her?” I asked.

“Not yet, Boss. That is all we have confirmed so far.”

I nodded slowly.

“Find out more about her and report back to me. Also, make her an offer for the position of nanny for my daughter Kai. Do whatever it takes to make sure she accepts. Are we clear about this?”

“Yes, Boss.”

“You may go now.”

Once I was alone again by the front door, I looked once more at the woman in the picture. I noticed a faint scar along her forehead.

How did she get that?

I need to meet her as soon as possible.