Chapter 65  No matter which road we chose our fate seemed sealed from the get-go. I slapped myself hard, but the pain didn’t register anymore. Regret gnawed at me–why did I let myself get deeply tangled up with a guy like him?  From start to finish, he belonged neither to Nicole nor me. He only ever loved himself.  “This isn’t exactly good news, so I hope you can keep it under wraps. She’s got her whole life ahead of her.” Chase said.  “We get it. Since you’ve laid it out, we won’t say no. We know those international businessmen and have helped others before, but  He paused. Tve got to be upfront. If she’s been gone this long, even if we find her, we can’t promise she’ll come back the same. We’re all in business here, Mr. Reyes I hope you understand. If I make these connections and the Reyes family seeks revenge, it leaves us in  tight spot”  “Don’t worry, I won’t cause you anyt  y trouble  looked over at Mark, who brought a few briefcases over and set them on the table. They were packed with cash.  This shows my sincerity.”  “Alright then, Mr. Reyes. Just give us her details, and we’ll start digging around.”  Mark showed them my photo, and they froze in shock, “Isn’t this Mrs….”  They stopped short, their leader glaring at them until they corrected themselves. “I mean, Ms. Kennedy”  “Mr. Reyes, rest easy. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can.”  Chase waved them off, and Mark gestured for them to leave. “Just reach out when you’ve got something. I won’t see you off”  “Of course, we won’t take up any more of your time, Mr. Reyes.”  The room cleared out quickly, leaving Chase alone. I reached for a glass of wine, but my fingers slipped right through it. I sighed. Chases presence was bothersome, so I drifted back into my grandmother’s book.  Grandma was aging and sickly. I just wanted to spend more time with her, even if only in spirit.  As the night settled in, the room was bathed in warm light Grandma knelt on a cushion, bowing to the Madonna statue repeatedly, murmuring prayers for my safe return.  I gazed up at the statue. If divine beings existed, why did they let evil have its way? Why do good people die young while the wicked seem to stick around forever?  Grandma, at her age, still worried about me day and night. It weighed on me with guilt.  But what could I do? I was powerless, just an observer  “Mom!”  Theard my mom’s voice from outside. Her visit at this hour was unexpected. She wasn’t particularly fond of Grandma, but she respected and feared her knowing how formidable she was in her younger days. She wouldn’t be here without a reason.  A servant wheeled Grandma out, and I studied my  y mom.  y mom as radiant as ever.  Even though Chase showed signs of weariness, my disappearance seemed to leave my  It was like my absence didn’t touch her at all.  Grandma held a rosary, and the leather–bound book rested on a small blanket over her knees, a testament to her constant recitals.  Her eyes fixed on my mom, brimming with displeasure. “What brings you here?”  Chapter 66