Chapter 23
The moment Hannah stormed out of the room, my heart dropped. I was about to run after her, but Emily grabbed my arm, her nails digging into my skin.
“Scott, wait!” she said urgently, her voice trembling.
“Let go, Emily,” I snapped, my eyes glued to the door where Hannah had disappeared.
“You can’t just walk away!” she cried, stepping in front of me. “This is important! This baby is yours, Scott. I’m due any day now, and I need your help.”
Her words hit me like a brick. My mind spun as I tried to process what she was saying. “What are you talking about?” I asked, my voice laced with disbelief.
“It’s your child,” she insisted, placing a hand on her belly.
“No,” I said firmly, shaking my head. “That’s not possible.”
“It is,” she said, her eyes brimming with tears. “We were together months ago, remember? You can’t deny that.”
I stared at her, my heart racing. I quickly began counting back the months in my head, trying to match the timeline she was claiming. The last time we were together was before I reconnected with Hannah–months before.
I ran a hand through my hair, my chest tightening. “Even if what you’re saying is true,” I said slowly, “I need proof. We’ll do a paternity test. Until then, I’m not making any decisions.”
“Scott,” she pleaded, stepping closer. “I wouldn’t lie about this. Please, you have to help me.”
I held up a hand, stopping her. “I’m not discussing this right now. Hannah is out there, upset and alone, because of this. I need to find her.”
Before she could say anything else, I turned and bolted out of the room, my heart pounding in my chest.
The island was vast, and the sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows over the sandy paths and lush greenery. I called out Hannah’s name as I searched, my voice growing hoarse with every shout.
She was nowhere to be found.
I checked the beach, the small cafés near the resort, and even the quiet trails where we’d walked just a day ago. But there was no sign of her.
Panic began to set in. My hands were shaking, and my breaths came in short, sharp bursts. “Where are you, Hannah?” I whispered, my heart feeling like it was being squeezed
in a vice.
I flagged down one of the resort staff, desperation in my voice. “Have you seen my wife? She’s about this tall, wearing a white robe–dark hair. Please, it’s urgent.”
The woman shook her head. “I haven’t seen anyone like that, but I’ll ask around.”
walked just a day ago. But there was no sign of her.
Panic began to set in. My hands were shaking, and my breaths came in short, sharp. bursts. “Where are you, Hannah?” I whispered, my heart feeling like it was being squeezed
in a vice.
I flagged down one of the resort staff, desperation in my voice. “Have you seen my wife? She’s about this tall, wearing a white robe–dark hair. Please, it’s urgent.”
The woman shook her head. “I haven’t seen anyone like that, but I’ll ask around.”
I nodded, thanking her before continuing my search.
As the hours passed and the sky turned a deep shade of purple, my fear only grew. I couldn’t stop the horrible thoughts racing through my mind. What if something had happened to her? What if she was hurt? What if…
No. I couldn’t let myself think like that. I had to find her.
I finally called Hannah’s mother, my voice shaking as I explained the situation.
“Scott, what happened?” she asked, her tone sharp with worry.
I
“We had a fight,” I admitted, guilt clawing at me. “She’s upset, and now I can’t find her. I’ve looked everywhere, but she’s gone. I need your help.”
“I’ll call everyone,” she said immediately. “We’ll find her.”
An hour later, one of the resort staff approached me, looking nervous.
“Mr. Hayes,” she said cautiously, “someone mentioned seeing a woman matching your wife’s description near the cliffs a little while ago.”
My blood ran cold. “The cliffs?”
“Yes,” she said, nodding.
without another word, I ran.
The cliffs were at the far edge of the island, overlooking the vast, open ocean. The sound of crashing waves grew louder as I approached, my heart pounding so hard I thought it might burst.
“Hannah!” I called, my voice breaking.
When I reached the edge of the cliffs, my breath caught in my throat. There she was, standing near the edge, her arms wrapped around herself as the wind whipped her hair.
“Hannah!” I shouted, my chest tightening with relief and fear.
She turned slowly, her face pale and her eyes red from crying. “Scott,” she said softly, her voice barely audible over the wind.
I stepped closer, my hands outstretched. “Hannah, please. Come back. Let’s talk.”
Tears streamed down her face as she shook her head. “I can’t, Scott. I can’t do this anymore.”
“You can’t do what?” I asked, my voice trembling. “Hannah, please. Don’t do this. I love you. Whatever’s going on, we can fix it.”
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He let me hanging soi deappear forever
She took a step closer to the edge, and my heart stopped.
ka
“Hannah, no!” I yelled, panic overtaking me.
She looked at me, her expression full of pain. “I trusted you, Scott. I gave you my heart, and
now…”
Her voice trailed off, and before I could reach her, she turned and jumped.
“No!” I screamed, watching in horror as she disappeared over the edge.
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