Chapter 63  “If we’d started searching for her right after she disappeared, we might’ve had a shot at stopping it. But now it’s been over twenty days, and she’s probably been smuggled out of the country”  Joshua was about to light a cigarette but thought better of it, remembering he was at the Reyes place, and tucked it away “Lately, human trafficking and organized crime are wreaking havoc overseas, affecting so many families.”  “I’ve seen the news.”  “The news?” Joshua scoffed. “It’s way worse than what the TV shows, especially for women. Getting caught by those monsters is a living nightmare. Mrs. Reyes is lucky she’s young and beautiful. They won’t just toss her aside like so many others. But beauty can be a  curse too…  Joshua let the thought trail off, but Mark got the message, his face darkening.  Even if we find her, she might not be the same Mrs. Reyes: Would the Reyes family accept her back like that?”  Chase’s voice came from behind them, firm and unwavering. “Yes, no matter what Armanda has become, I will find her. Start digging for information right away, see if she’s fallen into their hands.”  “Yes, Mr. Reyes.”  Joshua humed off, and I couldn’t help but chuckle to myself.  Chase, should I praise your undying love? You’d prefer to think I was sold rather than dead.  If I truly became as tainted as they claim, would you still take me back? Of course not. Chase is too proud. It’s just his ego talking for  now.  Once Joshua left, Chase sank into a garden chair.  The night before, a heavy rain had washed everything clean, leaving the air fresh and fragrant with the scent of greenery. The world seemed newly minted.  rein full bloom. Chase stared at them, lost in his thoughts  The plum trees were  *ME  Reyes, you don’t look so good. Maybe you should take a break. I’ll let you know the moment we hear anything”  Chase tightened his grip on the swing’s armrest, his eyes distant. “Amanda loved sitting here to soak up the sun.”  Sensing his spirits down, Mark tried to offer some comfort. “Yeah, back then, you and Mrs. Reyes were inseparable. She’d swing, and you’d be there to push her.”  I noticed the veins on his hand standing out, and his voice took on a wistful tone. “But it’s been years since I last pushed her.”  He opened his hands, one still showing the marks from gripping the armrest too tightly. “How did we end up like this?”  I wanted to ask him that myself. How did two people so in love end up here?  We were separated by life and death. I hated him to my com, yet I couldn’t get my revenge and only watched him wander around like a ghost.  Mark sighed deeply. “Do you really not know why?”  It’s because of Nicole.  Everyone knew, except him.  “Did I really mess up? Is it too late to fix  x things now? Could Amanda ever forgive me?  Mark shook his head. “As Joshua said, Mrs. Reyes has been gone over twenty days. If she’s been trafficked abroad, I fear the worst…”  Chapter 64