LOGINDaniel's phone rang after he had spent nearly an hour staring at it in silence, uncertain whether he should really call the number.Vincent Moretti.He had obtained the name three days earlier from one of his old contacts in the police force—a man who owed him a favor and was willing to leak information outside official procedure. At the time, Daniel had only been searching for anyone with access to illegal routes out of the country, someone who might know about unregistered vessels capable of smuggling a person through the southern ports without leaving a trace.Vincent Moretti had been one of the names that surfaced.Daniel pressed the call button.Three rings.Then a deep voice answered from the other end."Blackwood." The man's tone was casual, almost amused. "I was wondering when you'd call again.""I need information," Daniel said bluntly, having no patience for small talk."Always the same with men like you. You're always looking for something." Vincent chuckled. "Fine. What is
Alina remained frozen, her breath caught somewhere between her chest and her throat. The man's dark eyes studied her with an unreadable calm, the kind of stillness that came from someone who had spent decades learning to control every flicker of expression on his own face."Salvatore Russo," she finally managed to whisper, more to herself than to him.A faint, almost amused smile touched the corner of his mouth. "So you know who I am.""Everyone knows who you are," Alina said, her voice trembling despite her best effort to keep it steady. "You're—" She stopped herself, suddenly aware of how dangerous it might be to say the word aloud in this room, on this ship, surrounded by his men."A mafia boss," Salvatore finished for her, his tone utterly unbothered. "Go ahead. Say it. I've been called worse by people far less polite than you."Alina's hands curled into the fabric of her dress. Her heart hammered against her ribs. Every instinct in her screamed that she should be afraid—that she
Three days had passed since Alina disappeared from the hospital, and two days since Daniel had completely lost her trail on the outskirts of the city.Daniel had hardly slept at all. His eyes were bloodshot, his jaw perpetually clenched, and his voice rarely came out soft anymore. He had mobilized every resource at his disposal—checking every CCTV camera in the city, tracing every suspicious financial transaction, even contacting old contacts in the police force to check immigration records.Nothing.It was as if Alina had simply vanished off the face of the earth.The mounting frustration drove him to recklessly show up at Richard's house, even though he knew there was a good chance the old man wouldn't give him any answers.Daniel's car stopped in front of the modest Hartono family residence. He got out without waiting for his driver to open the door, striding quickly toward the front entrance.He knocked hard.No answer.He knocked again, harder this time.The door finally opened.
Emma was dragged into a room unfamiliar to her.Dim lighting cast a glow over the minimalist space. Just a table, two chairs, and a blank wall with no window.The door was shoved open roughly.Daniel stepped in, his gaze cold, full of restrained fury.Emma was forced into one of the chairs. The two men who'd brought her stepped back at once, taking up positions near the door.Daniel stood before her, arms crossed."Where is Alina?"Emma looked up, meeting his eyes calmly. Not a trace of fear on her face."I don't know what you're talking about.""Don't play games with me, Emma." Daniel's voice sharpened. "You think I'm stupid? You disappeared with her from the hospital. Now you're caught alone, far from the city. You expect me to believe you don't know anything?"Emma shrugged, casual. "Believe it or not, that's your problem. I was just heading out of town. On vacation.""Vacation?" Daniel scoffed, disbelieving."Yes, vacation." Emma smiled coldly. "I don't have a job anymore. Because
The black SUV finally slowed as it approached the harbor area.The smell of salt and sea air began seeping in even with the windows shut tight. Alina looked outside, watching the rows of pier lights flickering in the distance, reflecting off the dark surface of the water."We're almost there," Adrian said, his voice quiet.Alina nodded, her hands still clutching the small bag in her lap.The vehicle continued along the quiet road toward the south pier area—a part of the harbor rarely used for commercial ships, more often rented out by private vessels belonging to wealthy families.A few minutes later, the SUV stopped near a large iron gate guarded by two men in dark uniforms.The driver rolled down the window and said something Alina couldn't quite make out. One of the guards checked something on his tablet, then nodded and opened the gate.The vehicle moved again, slower this time, winding through the vast dock area.Alina held her breath as her eyes caught the silhouette of a large
Alina took half a step back.Her gaze shifted from one man to another as they stepped out of the black SUV. Sturdy builds, all-black clothing, faces with little expression. At a glance, they weren't so different from the men who usually escorted Daniel.Alina's breath caught.Adrian immediately noticed the change in her face."Easy," he said gently. "They're not Daniel's people."Alina still hadn't moved.Adrian stepped a little closer."They're the ones who'll protect you."A few seconds passed.Only after hearing those words did the tension in Alina's shoulders slowly ease. She let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.One of the taller men approached Adrian.He looked to be around forty. His gaze was sharp, but his demeanor calm."Mr. Lawson."Adrian nodded briefly."Everything's ready," the man said. "We don't have much time. It's better not to linger here."Adrian understood his meaning.Daniel could arrive at any moment.He opened the SUV's back door."Come on, Al
CHAPTER 52Morning came too quickly.Or perhaps not quickly enough. Alina wasn't sure anymore. Time had felt strange since she'd been confined to her room—too slow and too fast simultaneously, like a broken clock.At exactly eight o'clock, the sound of a large engine woke her from restless sleep.A
Mr. Harris hesitated briefly, then nodded and stepped away, clearing the path for Clarissa.Clarissa knocked on the door—twice, sharp—then entered without waiting for an answer.Alina stood at the window—still in the same position since the photoshoot began.Mrs. Helen sat on a chair in the corner
Day five since Alina was allowed to see Junior.Five days with the same routine. Measured. Controlled.In the morning—Alina went to Junior’s room when he woke up. Helped him get ready. Straightened his uniform. Walked him to the dining table where Clarissa already waited with a smile that was far t
Alina and Junior sat in each other's embrace for a few moments—silent, just feeling each other's presence.Then Junior pulled back slightly. Looking at Alina with an expression too serious for a six-year-old."Mama," he said softly. "Junior promises to be a good child."Alina frowned, stroking Juni







