Maybe

Chapter 18 "Promise"

[This chapter contains sensitive content; such as murder]

His lips gently met hers, and to her surprise, she responded instinctively, savoring the moment. Feeling her reciprocation, he leaned in closer, deepening the kiss to explore its flavor, and she mirrored his movement, equally eager. With a gentle tug at her waist, he drew her nearer, intensifying their connection.

As they kissed, their tongues met in a delicate dance, each seeking a little more of the other. She couldn't help but release a soft gasp, overwhelmed by the sensation that surged through her.

Who would have guessed that a first kiss could be so enchanting? Their lips danced in sync with the gentle melody of the rain, creating a moment of pure magic. His hand, almost instinctively, traced down her thigh, adding to the electricity in the air.

Just as the intensity peaked, her phone suddenly rang, shattering the perfect moment. They reluctantly pulled away, abruptly reminded of the world around them.

Every touch of his sparked a whirlwind of emotions within her. The scene replayed incessantly in her mind. When she finally opened her eyes, there he was, dangerously close, their gazes locking in a moment charged with anticipation. She couldn't shake the memory.

sleep eluded her, consumed as she was by thoughts of him. Checking her phone in the silence, she found an unexpected message from her mother, a rare occurrence. Opening it, she couldn't help but wonder why her mom had reached out.

Texting Mom:

Mom: Nina? Nina, you there?

Nina: Yeah? What's up?

Mom: Hate to say it, but we might have to move to another country again. Sorry, dear.

Nina: When?

Mom: Could be soon, could be not?

Nina: Mom!

Mom: Don't stress, it'll be fine. Just be ready; it might happen anytime.

Nina: Oh... okay, no worries.

Mom: Thanks

She found herself overwhelmed with questions. Little did she expect that what began as a joyful and thrilling sensation would later transform into a source of future trauma. The speed with which everything would change in an instant was unimaginable.

The urge to call her father gripped her, although he was frequently away on business. Since she and her mother began relocating like changing colors to ensure her safety, she had seen less and less of him. Confusion swirled in her mind as she struggled with the limited information she had. The thought of reaching out to her father had crossed her mind countless times, but she had never actually called or texted him.

The familiar question echoed in her mind once more: "Does he ever think about me?" Did he even care? She yearned for answers to questions that lay hidden, awaiting their impact. Little did she anticipate how profoundly this uncertainty would alter her life.

Meanwhile, her father ramped up security measures around her and Hannah. He spared no expense in deploying every available resource to locate Ethan's mother. His investigation led him to track down Aiden, discovering that he was alive and surprisingly not in custody for the crimes committed.

______

"Money saved Aiden once, but it won't save him now," he said bitterly, the words tearing out of his mouth like shards of glass reflecting his anger and profound grief over the past. His voice trembled with the weight of memories, each syllable heavy with the burden of regret and sorrow.