Chapter 15
I didn’t trust Bryan. Not now. Not ever. But he was the only lead we had. The police didn’t know where she was. No one knew who helped her… and Bryan? Of course, Suzanne would want to him to know everything because they loved each other.
This could be a trap but I was running out of options. I sat across from Wallace, the weight of my decision pressing against my chest. “I told him we’d clear his name if he gives us Suzanne.”
Wallace exhaled slowly. “You should’ve told me first.”
“I am telling you now.” I bit my lower lip. “Okay, I’m sorry but we don’t have any leads. Please maybe we can really use him.”
He leaned back in his chair, eyes dark. “Fine. But I’ll be the one to handle Bryan. You stay here with your mother.”
I frowned. “Wallace-”
“No.” His tone left no room for argument. “She’s already been attacked once. You need to be with her. I’ll deal with Bryan. And what if something happens to you, too? I won’t be able to handle that.” He kissed my forehead. “You’re too precious for me to lose.”
wanted to argue, to tell him I had to be involved. It was my mess, my family. But Wallace was ight. I had to protect my mother.
nodded. “Alright.”
Later that day, we got the information we needed. Bryan claimed Suzanne was trying to leave the country by yacht. Some people were helping her but Bryan didn’t know who. It could be some Family or friends that still trusted Suzanne.
Wallace didn’t trust him. Neither did I. But it was the best lead we had.
By tomorrow night, we would catch her. Or this would be the biggest mistake of our lives. I would never know. We could only take the risk in order for things to get better.
That evening, as Wallace prepared for the mission, an uneasy feeling settled in my chest.
‘I don’t like this,” I admitted, arms crossed.
He smirked, stepping closer. “You don’t trust Bryan?”
gave him a deadpan stare. “Obviously not.”
Wallace chuckled, brushing his fingers against my cheek. “Neither do I.”
Then why are we doing this? I think this was a mistake. I’m sorry… I just-”
was having second thoughts even though I was the one who asked about this first.
‘Because we need to end this,” he murmured. “Once and for all.”
hated that he was right. Still, the thought of him walking into a setup made my stomach twist. f something happens, I would never forgive myself.
‘Promise me you’ll come back.”
Wallace’s gaze softened. “I promise.”
swallowed hard. Then, before I could overthink, I grabbed him and kissed him. It started slow- hesitant–but the moment Wallace pulled me against him, everything changed. The tension. The
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fear. The weight of everything we had gone through.
It all bled into the kiss. His hands slid to my waist, pulling me closer as his lips moved against mine. I could feel his heartbeat, steady and strong, grounding me when my world felt like it was falling apart.
I tangled my fingers in his hair, deepening the kiss, memorizing the way he felt. Because I didn‘ know if this would be the last time.
Wallace pulled away just enough to whisper, “I love you.”
I froze. He had never said it out loud before.
I searched his face, my heart hammering in my chest.
“Say it back,” he teased, his smirk returning.
I exhaled shakily, my fingers curling against his shirt. “I-”
He kissed me again. And that was answer enough.
Hours later, Wallace left with the police. I waited while watching over my mother. The nigh stretched endlessly, the silence suffocating.
Then, finally, my phone rang. It was Wallace.
I picked up immediately. “Wallace?”
“Hey, baby.” His voice was calm, but something about it made my stomach tighten.
“You okay?”
“Yeah.” He paused. “I love you.”
My breath hitched. “Wallace-”
“When I get back, let’s get married.”
Tears burned at the corners of my eyes. “Okay. So, come back.”
His chuckle was soft. “Good.”
Then, my voice hardened. “Suzanne is mine. So bring her back alive because she will pay.”
“Yes, baby,” he replied. Then the call ended.
I exhaled, gripping my phone. This was it.
By morning, Suzanne would be in our hands. And I would finally make her pay.
But the morning came. And there was no update.
I had fallen asleep waiting for a call, but when I woke up, my phone was flooded with missed calls from Wallace. My heart slammed against my ribs.
I called him back. Nothing. Out of reach. Panic clawed at my chest.
Something was wrong.
Then- The hospital door opened.
Bryan walked in. His face was unreadable.
I shot up from my seat, my breath shallow. “Where is he? Why are you here? What about my Wallace?”
Bryan didn’t answer for a while before he shook his head:
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“I’m sorry, but Wallace was dead.”
My whole shattered.
