ログインChapter 288Ethan's POVSix months.One hundred and eighty-three days since I'd woken up in a strange bed, pain radiating through my chest, my head pounding, my memories completely blank except for fragments — scattered pieces of a puzzle I couldn't put together.My name was Ethan.I knew that much because the old man who'd found me half-dead in his field had gone through my pockets looking for identification and found nothing except a wedding ring.A simple gold band that had two names engraved on the inside.Ethan & CynthiaEthan. That was me.And Cynthia... Cynthia was someone important. Someone I'd married. Someone I needed to find.But I didn't know who she was.Couldn't picture her face. Couldn't recall a single moment we'd shared together.Just her name, burning in my mind like a brand.Cynthia.The old man's name was Gavin.He was in his seventies, weathered and bent from decades of farm work, with kind eyes and calloused hands that had carefully tended to my wounds when he'd
Chapter 287Cynthia's POVNikolai had insisted on staying to help me close up the restaurant.We moved through the space together in comfortable rhythm—him wiping down the counters in the prep area while I organized the sample menus and design sketches I'd been reviewing earlier."I still can't believe they actually found him," I said, breaking the silence. "After all this time, Pascal was just... here. In Missford. The whole time."Nikolai looked up from the counter he was cleaning, his expression thoughtful."It makes sense, though," he said. "Sometimes the best place to hide is in plain sight. The police were searching everywhere except right under their noses.""But now they have him," I said, unable to keep the excitement from my voice. "Or they're close to having him. And once they do, he'll have to tell them where Ethan is. He'll have to—"My voice caught, emotion threatening to overwhelm me.Nikolai set down the cloth he'd been using and crossed the kitchen to stand beside me.
Chapter 286Bryan's POVPascal had been found, orr at least, there was a lead on his location.The text Cynthia had shown me before I left the restaurant flashed through my mind as I drove through the darkening streets of Missford.Possible sighting near the docks. Moving teams into position now.Normal people—would have felt relief at that news.Hope that finally, after five months of searching, answers were within reach.But I wasn't normal people.And relief was the last thing I felt.How could Pascal be so careless?So sloppy?Five months of successfully staying hidden, and now he was spotted near the docks like some amateur criminal who didn't know how to cover his tracks.It was almost insulting how easy he'd made it for them.I gripped the steering wheel tighter, my jaw clenching.This wasn't supposed to happen.Ethan wasn't supposed to be found.I'd been so careful. So patient. Playing the role of the concerned friend, the supportive presence, the man who just wanted to help C
Chapter 285Cynthia's POVI was reviewing the final menu selections for the restaurant's soft opening when Bryan walked in.Right on schedule, as he had been for the past few weeks. Almost every evening after work, Bryan would stop by, ostensibly to check on the progress of the restaurant, but really — I suspected to check on me."Hey," he said, offering a tired smile as he approached the table where I was working."Hey yourself," I replied, setting down the menu mock-ups. "Long day?""Aren't they all?" Bryan said, pulling out a chair and sitting across from me. "How are you feeling?"The question had become routine between us, but today, for the first time in months, my answer was different."Hopeful," I said, and I couldn't keep the smile from spreading across my face. "Really, genuinely hopeful, Bryan."Bryan's expression shifted slightly, something flickering in his eyes that I couldn't quite read."The DNA results came back," I continued, the words tumbling out in a rush. "From t
Chapter 284Cynthia's POVI was still catching my breath, my heart pounding from the sprint, when Detective Susan appeared beside Kevin's car.Her expression was a mixture of frustration and disapproval."Ms. Cynclair," she said, her tone sharp. "I specifically told you to stay back and let us handle this.""I know," I said, not backing down. "But…""No buts," Detective Susan interrupted. "This is an active investigation. A potentially dangerous situation. You could have compromised the entire operation."Kevin stepped forward, placing himself slightly between me and the detective."With all due respect, Detective," he said, "if Cynthia hadn't been here, you wouldn't have noticed that guy in the hoodie approaching. Her alertness is what alerted your team."Detective Susan's jaw tightened."That may be true," she said. "But it doesn't change the fact that civilians have no business being at an active scene. You both need to leave. Now.""No," I said firmly.Detective Susan's eyebrows s
Chapter 283Third Person POVAnna sat back in her chair, her expression calculating despite the tears still wet on her cheeks."I'll take you to the place," she said quietly. "But I need guarantees."Detective Susan raised an eyebrow. "Guarantees?""A comfortable prison," Anna said, meeting the detective's gaze steadily. "Less restrictive. Protection from Grace and Pascal if they're ever caught. And assurance that Hayden will be cared for properly while I'm serving my sentence."Detective Susan's jaw tightened. "You're in no position to make demands, Ms. Walker.""Then I guess you'll have to find the cabin on your own," Anna replied, her voice hardening slightly. "Good luck with that. It's not on any official records. Jerome bought it under a shell company that doesn't exist anymore."Cynthia leaned forward, her hands flat on the table."Anna," she said quietly. "Please. If you know where Ethan is, just tell us. Don't make this about…""I'm not making this about anything except surviv
Chapter 106 Cynthia's POV During the class, I was in the middle of explaining the importance of supply chain management in maintaining restaurant quality when I noticed Nikolai. He'd walked in quietly and taken a seat at the back of the lecture hall, his arms crossed, watching me with that int
Chapter 113 Cynthia's POV I woke up to a text from three different men. 'Hey Cynthia, I hope you had a great night's rest. Can we meet today? I'm done with your project.' - Bryan. 'Hey Cynthia, I bet you had a cozy night. It's December! Happy new month! Can you smell Christmas? I can! Hope Ambe
Chapter 107Cynthia's POV While Nikolai was about to leave after dropping the packages in my trunk, a sudden commotion erupted nearby. A group of student protestors — protesting for something mild, from what I could hear, something about cafeteria hours and library access — rushed up toward the p
Chapter 111 Cynthia's POV When I got home, I was greeted by a worried Kevin who was pacing in the foyer. "I almost called you," he said the moment I walked through the door, his expression tight with concern. "What happened? Why did you dismiss the security guys?" I set my purse down on the







