Jane.

I answered immediately.

"Sir, everything is ready. We’ll depart in two hours."

"Good," I replied. "Meet me 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 me as I descended the staircase.

"Morning, Maria."

She looked me over.

"Are you going somewhere?"

"Yes. Please help me 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 me off before I could speak.

"Even if it’s only a little."

Her voice was gentle, yet firm enough to leave no room for argument.

Reluctantly, I sat down.

Only after serving me a plate did she head upstairs to prepare my things.

I forced myself to eat a few bites.

Nothing more.

By the time I stood up, Maria was already descending the stairs carrying a small travel case.

She handed it to me.

Then her eyes landed on my injured hand.

Her brows immediately furrowed.

"What happened to your hand?"

I instinctively lowered it.

"It’s nothing."

"Sit down," she said firmly. "Let me bandage it first."

I shook my head.

"No need, Maria."

She frowned.

"Sir—"

"I’m already running late for my flight."

For a moment 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 met Jane at the private tarmac.

Henry was already there waiting with her, carrying a tablet and several documents tucked beneath his arm.

The three of us boarded the jet shortly afterward.

The entire flight felt endless.

Every minute seemed to stretch into an hour.

For the first time 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 moment 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 shimmered beneath the sunlight.

The scenery was beautiful.

Yet I barely noticed any of it.

My thoughts were elsewhere.

For the first time 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 moment, it eased the pressure in my mind.

I forced myself to focus on the possibility that mattered most.

Maybe she was here.

Maybe this time I was finally close.

Less than an hour later, the SUV arrived at the resort.

Even I couldn’t help being momentarily 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 came to escape reality.

The kind of place Alicia would love.

The thought made my chest tighten.

The resort manager personally came to welcome 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 me to look twice.

Each time, disappointment followed.

Eventually, the manager handed us our room keys.

I turned to Jane and Henry.

"The flight was exhausting. Go get some rest first."

Both of them nodded.

"And you, sir?" Jane asked.

"I’ll rest too."

It was a lie.

The moment 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 me 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 moments, my gaze would lock onto someone 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 me even the smallest chance...

I would spend the rest of my life making up for everything.

Every disappointment.

Every tear. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Every regret.

I would make it up to her.

Suddenly, my phone began ringing.

The sound pulled me from my thoughts.

I reached into my pocket to answer it while still walking.

At that exact moment, someone collided with me.

"Sorry—"

The apology came immediately.

I looked up.

The words on my tongue died instantly.

Everything around me seemed to stop.

The sound of the waves.

The voices.

The movement of people.

All of it faded into the background.

Because the person standing in front of me 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 someone had driven a knife straight through my chest.

My breathing faltered.

A sharp ache spread through me.

I stumbled slightly.

Aiden reacted immediately, reaching out to steady me.

"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 same place I had come 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 me...

That she’d take my child and start a new life with someone else.

Right?.....