When the Hidden Luna Rises novel Chapter 46

**Chained by Fate**
**Eliza Rowan**
**Chapter 22**

Ryan found himself transfixed by the photograph cradled in his hands, his gaze locked onto Tessa. Her bright smile seemed to illuminate the image, radiating a warmth that felt almost palpable. The elegance and joy she exuded were undeniable, yet something in his heart whispered that this was not the Tessa he remembered.

As he lingered on the photo, memories flooded back, and he realized with a pang how long it had been since he had witnessed that smile in person. It felt like an eternity since he had last seen her face light up with happiness.

His attention then drifted to the man lurking in the background, and an uncomfortable tension coiled within him. The sight of the stranger beside her darkened his expression, and an unsettling feeling gripped him. Tessa seemed genuinely happy in that moment, and it was clear that her joy was intertwined with the man in the picture.

A wave of anger surged through Ryan, hot and bitter, but he felt utterly powerless to change anything. The thought of Tessa moving on without him gnawed at his insides. He needed to know where she was. He turned to Nick, demanding the location of the cruise.

Despite the knowledge that Tessa was thriving, a part of him couldn’t quell the desire to see her again, to bring her back into his life.

Just as he was processing this, his phone buzzed with an unexpected call from Audrey. In the heat of the moment, he found himself spilling the news that he was heading abroad to find Tessa.

When Audrey heard that Tessa was in Naples, her excitement was palpable, nearly bringing her to tears. “Wait for me for ten minutes, I’m coming too!” she exclaimed, her voice laced with urgency.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Audrey grabbed her passport and credit card, her heart racing with anticipation as she hurriedly booked a flight to Naples. The thought of reuniting with her daughter filled her with a mixture of hope and anxiety.

The flight itself was eerily quiet, save for Ryan, who sat beside her, both lost in their own whirlwinds of emotion. They fidgeted in their seats, the shared nervousness palpable between them. How could they not feel apprehensive? They were about to confront the ghosts of their past, the people they had once hurt deeply.

Ryan’s eyes drifted out the window, disbelief washing over him as he thought about how Tessa had ventured to Naples alone. He recalled the countless times she had expressed a desire to visit the city, her eyes sparkling with dreams. Each time, he had brushed off her aspirations, thinking there would always be time for such adventures later.

Upon their arrival in Naples, they barely had a moment to drop their luggage before they raced toward the location Nick had provided. However, upon reaching the spot, they were met with disappointment; there was nothing but an empty dock.

They inquired around and soon discovered that the ships had just departed.

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