Chapter 9%
I stood in front of the large window, watching the rain slowly fall outside.
Paris. This city felt unfamiliar, yet it gave me space to breathe.”
Someone like me–who had just lost everything: a home, a husband, even the baby in my womb–didn’t have many places left to go.
I glanced at the long sofa in the living room. That was where I first sat when I arrived at this house.
The house belonged to Kenzo Alvaro. A man who initially just offered me a ride to the airport.”
That stranger turned out to be on the same flight as mine.
And now, once again, he was helping me.
“So… who is the person you’re looking for?”
His voice came suddenly from behind me–deep and calm.”
I turned slowly.S
Today was the first time we saw each other again since I arrived at his home. For days, I had only interacted with the housekeepers, who told me Kenzo rarely came home. Business matters, they said.
“Mr. Hilton,” I replied softly.
Kenzo narrowed his eyes. “What’s your relationship with him?“>
I took a deep breath. “He’s an old friend of my late father–in–law. I need his help right now.”
Kenzo’s expression shifted. A faint smile played on his lips.
“You know who Mr. Hilton is, Lea?”
“Of course,” I said. “I know him quite well.“}
“What kind of help do you want from him?” he asked again.”
“Maybe… without meeting him, I can help you in the same way.“}
I quickly shook my head.
“You’ve already helped me too much. Now… I just want to meet Mr. Hilton. That’s all.”
“Okay.” Kenzo nodded. “I’ll help. But he’s currently abroad. He might be back in a few days.”}
I looked at him with curiosity. “You seem to know a lot about Mr. Hilton?“>
He only gave a small smile, then looked away.
For some reason… there was something familiar about him. Not his face. But… that aura.
The way he stayed quiet, observant. And his deep gaze, as if it could pierce through the layers of pain I was trying to hide.
But I couldn’t think about that now.
I had to stay focused on the plan.
And about Mr. Hilton… I knew where he was. Perhaps, at this moment, he was also trying to find me–because he had already learned about my divorce from Sean.
I had anticipated this.
Even without attending my mother–in–law’s birthday party, I knew what had happened there.
Long before the event, I had arranged for a special meal to be delivered to Mr. Hilton. I had also sent him a gift through a courier, timed to arrive during the event. Along with it, a medical report stating that I had lost the baby.
I planned all of that. And it was the first step… to destroy Sean and Rebecca.}
“Lea.“?
Kenzo called me again. This time, his tone was different–more personal.
I turned to him–and held my breath.
He was looking at me with an unusual gaze. Warm, but full of mystery.”
“You don’t remember me?“>
I tensed. “What do you mean?”
He chuckled softly, bitterly. “Of course you’ve forgotten me.”
I squinted. “Have we… met before?“\
“Yes. And you should’ve realized it. I wouldn’t just bring a stranger into my home. Unless… that person had something to do with me.“S “When? Where?” I asked quickly.
“Three years ago. A snowy night.”
I froze.
A chill ran through my blood.10
My memory raced, like fragments of a movie flashing by:
>
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My memory raced, like fragments of a movie flashing by:
Snow. An empty road. My car stopping suddenly.
A man lying on the sidewalk, blood on his abdomen. My driver hesitated, but I… I couldn’t leave him.
I got out of the car. Helped lift him with the driver. Took him to a small inn.
His wounds were severe. Blood soaked the floor. I didn’t know who he was, but I knew… he needed help.
After I cleaned his wounds and bandaged him the best I could, he only said, “Go. Don’t come back. Don’t tell anyone you saw me.“> The next day, the news on TV reported that an international criminal was on the run.
The last known location matched the place where I had found that man.
Now I stared at Kenzo, my body trembling.
“So… it was you,” I whispered. “That night… you were the man.“0
He didn’t answer. He only nodded.}
My chest tightened.§
“Sean… he once said that the man was involved in human trafficking. A world–class criminal.“}
Kenzo laughed quietly.
“That’s what the world believes. But not everything shown on screen is the truth.”
Then… who are you really?” I asked, my voice barely audible.}
Kenzo stepped closer, his pace slow.
“I’m someone who’s been hurt. Just like you. Betrayed, discarded, and made into a scapegoat in a much bigger game.”
I was silent.
“You saved me back then,” he continued. “And now, with fate bringing you to me again, I just want to return the favor. Help you. Protect you.”
I wanted to believe him. But my head was still full of fear. Uncertainty.
“I can’t trust anyone right now…”
He looked at me–long and deeply. “That’s okay. I’ll still be here. Until you’re ready to trust.”
My hand clenched slowly.
“Lea, listen to me,” he said again. “I know about Sean. About Rebecca. About how they betrayed you. But you need to know… you’re not alone anymore.”
I lifted my chin, my voice nearly a whisper.
“Tell me… what is it you’re truly after?”
