The Vanished Bride novel Chapter 10

His assistant rushed in, saying, "Mr. Reyes, I’ve gathered hundreds of top-notch divers and thousands of sailors to comb through the area downstream from the incident, but there’s still no sign of your wife."

Chase let out a sigh of relief, leaning back in his chair with a smug grin. “What did I tell you? She's always been good at putting on a show. Call everyone back. There's no point in searching anymore.”

The assistant still looked uneasy. “Even if Mrs. Reyes didn’t... you know, she’s still missing. What if something’s happened…”

“She’s probably sulking somewhere, throwing a fit. Let her be. She’ll come back once she’s calmed down.”

After hanging up, Chase stared at a photo of him and Amanda on his desk, lost in thought. It was taken when Amanda was seventeen, right after a tennis match, with sunlight streaming down and her smile beaming.

There was a hint of nostalgia in Chase's eyes. How ironic. Could he really miss the old me? Is this the same person who snuffed out my happiness?

“Hey, Chase!” Nicole’s voice broke the silence as she locked the door and plopped herself onto Chase’s lap.

Chase tried to push her away. “Nicole, cut it out!”

“But you wanted me so many times last night,” Nicole teased, pressing her chest against his arm, her breath warm against his ear. “This is where Amanda used to stay. Doesn’t that make it even more thrilling?”

This shameless intruder was even trying to taint my last untouched sanctuary.

“Get out! Both of you, just get out!”

I screamed with everything I had, but they acted like they couldn’t hear me. Chase’s eyes showed no desire, just a hint of wariness.

“Nicole, last night was just a one-time thing.”

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