The river was gray and swollen with rain, its waters churning against the muddy banks. The dawn light was pale, filtering through the low clouds that clung to the mountains like a shroud.Elias cast his net with practiced ease, the rope sliding through his calloused hands. Beside him, his younger brother Mateo did the same, their movements synchronized from years of working together."Slow day," Mateo muttered, pulling in an empty net. "The fish are hiding."Elias grunted in agreement. "The rain has stirred up the water. They'll come back when it settles."Mateo was about to cast again when he stopped, his eyes fixed on something downstream."Elias," he said, his voice low. "Look."Elias followed his brother's gaze. A body lay half-submerged in the shallows, tangled in branches and debris. Its clothes were torn, its face pale and still.Mateo crossed himself. "Another one. The river's been cruel this season."Elias set down his net and waded into the water, his boots sinking into the

The press conference was held in the grand ballroom of the Hart estate, the room packed with journalists, cameras, and microphones. The family stood behind Ruth, their faces pale but resolute. Bella held Grace in her arms, Hope cradled by Jacqueline. The twins, oblivious to the chaos, blinked at the bright lights.Ruth stepped to the podium, her face composed, her eyes hard. She was dressed in black, her silver hair pulled back, her presence commanding the room."Thank you all for coming," she began, her voice steady and clear. "I am here to address the rumors that have been circulating about my son, Jackson Hart."The room fell silent."I am here to tell you that those rumors are false. Jackson Hart is not dead."A murmur rippled through the crowd. Journalists exchanged glances, their pens poised over notepads.Ruth continued, her voice unwavering. "My son has been taken by enemies of the Hart family. He has been beaten, kidnapped, and left for dead. But he is not dead. I know my son

Jackson stared at Marta, his heart pounding. The weight of everything he had been carrying—the betrayal, the pain, the fear—pressed down on him, threatening to crush him. He had been holding it all in, trying to be strong, trying to survive. But now, in the presence of this old woman who had shown him nothing but kindness, the walls began to crumble."Jason," he said, his voice raw. "He was someone I trusted. Someone I believed in. He was supposed to be protecting my family—protecting Sophia. But he was working with Marcia the whole time. She manipulated him, used his daughters as leverage, and he—" Jackson stopped, his throat tight."He betrayed you," Marta said quietly.Jackson nodded, his eyes burning. "He knocked me unconscious. Dumped me in the river. He thought I was dead. And maybe—" He paused, his voice breaking. "Maybe I should be."Marta reached out and took his hand. "But you're not. You're alive, Jackson. You survived."Jackson looked down at their intertwined hands, his

The forest swallowed them whole as they disappeared from Mateo's sights.Jackson and Marta moved through the darkness, their footsteps careful on the uneven ground. The moon was hidden behind thick clouds, offering no light—only the faint glow of Marta's small lantern guided their way. The air was cold, sharp, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth.Jackson's body ached. His wounds were healing, but the exertion of the climb pulled at his muscles, reminding him of how close he had come to death. He pushed through the pain, driven by urgency."Are you alright?" Marta asked, her voice low.Jackson nodded, though his breath was labored. "I'm fine. Keep going."Marta studied him for a moment, then nodded. "We have a long way to go. But I know these mountains. I know every path, every hiding place. They won't find us."They continued in silence, the forest closing in around them.***Behind them, Jason's team descended on the village.They moved with cold precision, their flashlights cu

The bedroom was warm, filled with the soft glow of moonlight filtering through the curtains.Jackson lay in his own bed for the first time in what felt like an eternity. The sheets were clean, the pillows soft, and beside him, Bella was curled against his chest, her arm draped across him as if she was afraid he might disappear if she let go.He closed his eyes, letting the familiar scent of her hair wash over him. For a moment, he felt at peace.But the peace didn't last.The nightmares came.He was back in the river, the cold water dragging him down. He could see Jason's face above him, cold and unfeeling. He could hear his voice: "You should have stayed dead."Jackson gasped, thrashing against the sheets. The dream was suffocating, the darkness pressing in on all sides.Then he felt Bella's hand on his chest, her voice soft and steady in his ear."Jackson. Jackson, wake up. It's okay. I'm here."His eyes snapped open. The room was dark, but Bella's face was close to his, her eyes fi