“What information did Quentin share with you about Mom?”

“The vial of blood we received was drawn from Mom by Miguel ten years ago…” Milton said, repeating everything Quentin had revealed.

A decade earlier, Miguel had finally captured Rita. He had kept her locked away, hoping time would soften her heart—that she’d forget Arthur, agree to marry him, have his children, and stay by his side forever.

But Rita’s will had been stronger than his obsession. She had refused him again and again, and when the chance came, she escaped.

The video of Rita leaping into the sea had been no stunt. It was her last resort—her only escape when Miguel’s men had her cornered with nowhere left to run.

After Rita vanished beneath the waves, Miguel had launched a desperate search that dragged on for days. Yet no trace of her was ever found. No one knew if Rita had drowned or somehow survived. Her fate was swallowed by mystery.

As Milton finished, Elliana’s hands curled into fists. A sharp ache pressed against her chest. For years, she had searched for her mother, chasing every clue like a whisper in the wind. Just when she thought she was close—after uncovering Miguel’s and Maxine’s secrets—the trail had disappeared again. Where else could she even look? Did her mother really die that night in the sea?

If her mother had truly died back then, Elliana knew the pain would linger forever. Happiness would always feel incomplete, haunted by the image of her mother’s fall into the waves.

Arthur’s eyes grew red. He, too, had spent years searching for Rita, refusing to give up hope that their family could be whole again. Accepting her death was something he could never do.

Milton, swallowing his own sadness, reached for Elliana’s hand. “Elliana, you need to rest. Don’t let this break you. I believe Mom is still alive—and we’ll find her.”

Elliana straightened, her resolve firm. “You’re right. I also believe she’s alive. She must be waiting for us to bring her home.”

Arthur’s heart swelled at their determination. He placed his hand over theirs, his gaze unwavering. “I believe it too. We’ll find her—and our family will be together again.”

Fresh updates available at galnoνe?s?c?m

Cole stayed silent, though his eyes glistened with emotion. He was just as resolved—to bring both his mother and daughter home, to make their family whole once more.

For the next two weeks, under Cole’s insistence, Elliana stayed in bed to recover.

But patience had never been her strong suit. One morning, when Cole wasn’t watching, she quietly slipped out of the Evans residence and headed to the Hudson estate alone. She wasn’t yet strong enough to face Maxine and retrieve her daughter, but she was determined to meet Rosemarie—and find out more about Quentin.

When Elliana reached the Hudson estate, she was greeted by raised voices. Raylan and Paige stood near the gate, locked in a fierce argument.

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