Chapter 224

After days of anxious waiting, a group of people,lurking around the villa, finally spotted their chance-Vincent had departed at last.

The leader of the group wasted no time, dispatching someone to spark a small fire near the property-a perfect diversion for the others to slip in unseen through the back door.

Meanwhile, Hannah was dozing in the courtyard,curled in a creaking rocking chair, her eyes closed to the late afternoon sun. The sudden rustle of footsteps set her on edge. She was about to cry out,but a rough hand clamped over her mouth. "Don't be afraid. We're just..."

Before the intruder could finish, Hannah's teeth sank hard into their palm.

The intruder stifled a curse but didn't let go.Trying not to draw attention, another figure slipped behind Hannah and struck her sharply on the neck.Her world tipped into darkness.

Everything happened in eerie silence-the mission executed with swift, practiced efficiency. In moments, Hannah was whisked away.

When Hannah finally came to, the steady drone of a car engine filled her ears. Her fingers searched for her white cane, but it was missing. A tremor of fear ran through her.

No ropes bound her, but Hannah sat stiff and wary.Who would go to such lengths to kidnap her?

The car eventually rolled to a stop. She picked up the muffled sounds of someone climbing out, and then a newcomer's voice she instantly recognized.

The moment the newcomer slipped into the car and softly called her name, every trace of tension melted away from her. The ride resumed, but now she was anchored by a familiar presence.

"Hannah, I can't believe I'm finally seeing you again!"Rena blurted, practically bouncing as she pulled Hannah into a fierce embrace.

Hannah hugged Rena back, dropping her voice to a hush. "Rena, were those people arranged by you?"

Rena released the embrace and held Hannah's hand."Yeah. Felix and I set the whole thing up."

Hannah blinked in mild surprise. "Felix... He's here as well?"

Rena shook her head, her tone light. "Not right now.We agreed to meet at my place later. He'll come by then."

Rena leaned back with a dramatic sigh. "Honestly,Vincent is way too cautious. He kept you locked up in that villa and hardly left. Today was the first time he actually left, giving us a chance to get you out."

Her gaze swept over Hannah, searching for any signs of injuries. "How are you? He didn't do anything to you,did he?" The question triggered a flash of awkward, chaotic memories for Hannah-those ten ridiculous minutes spent fumbling in the bathroom, equal parts confusion and embarrassment. She shook her head,managing a faint smile. "Nothing happened."

Pulling Rena in for a tight hug, Hannah murmured,"Thanks, Rena. Really. And sorry for causing you concerns."

Rena grinned, eyes twinkling. "Actually, there's someone even more concerned than me,you know who l mean."

Hannah's head dipped, her fingers absentmindedly twisting at the hem of her shirt.

It was true-even as an outsider, Rena had noticed how anxious Felix had been these past few days.

Rena nudged Hannah playfully. "So? Tell me-how do you really feel about him?"

Hannah found herself at a loss for words. She'd already made things clear with Felix the last time they spoke.

Catching the awkwardness hanging in the air, Rena offered a gentle smile and steered the conversation elsewhere.

When Vincent stepped back into the villa, his eyes immediately landed on Hannah's cane, abandoned on the polished floor. He stooped to pick it up,brushed away a smudge of dust, and frowned. "She left without her cane. What makes you so sure she had run away on her own?" His voice was low and clipped.

The butler's forehead glistened with cold sweat."Because there weren't any signs of a struggle..."

"Go find her-now." Vincent cut the butler off mid-sentence, his voice edged with urgency.

"Yes."

Vincent's men wasted no time. Within the hour,someone reported a sighting-Hannah had turned upat the Brown family estate.

Relief swept through Vincent. Rena had orchestrated Hannah's escape. It hadn't been a month yet-he never imagined she'd vanish from his world so abruptly. And now, just like that, she was gone. Far too early.

For a long moment, Vincent stood motionless with her cane in his hand, lost in the quiet ache of her absence. Finally, he slipped into his car and gave a low order. "Drive to the Brown family estate."

He understood there was no chance of bringing her back. Still, he had to see her one last time. At least,he needed to hand back the cane she'd left behind.

Meanwhile,at the Brown family estate, Hannah was quietly settled into Rena's room.

Felix arrived a few minutes later, his steps brisk with worry.

Sensing the atmosphere, Rena slipped out quietly,leaving them alone to talk. Felix dropped into the seat beside Hannah, his eyes flickering with emotion. "Hannah, it must've been agony for you."

She paused, thoughtful, and realized it wasn't true.The caretakers had treated her kindly, never letting her want for anything. "Honestly, I haven't suffered at all," she said with a small, honest smile.

Relief softened Felix's features. "I'm glad to hear that." He paused and then pressed on, voice firm with conviction. "From now on, V/incent won't be able to take you away again. I promise-we'll mnake sure you're safe."

He clenched his fists in silent resolve, vowing not to let anyone hurt her again.

Hannah's smile turned playful. "You don't have to worry so much. I'm tougher than I look."

In the quiet that followed, Felix remembered all the words he'd swallowed back at the hospital-the ones he hadn't dared to say until now. After all this time,seeing Hannah again cracked his composure. "Hannah, losing your sight doesn't mean your world has to shrink. Let me be the one to guide you through it," he said softly, his thumb brushing the back of her hand with steady reassurance.

Carefully, he lifted her hand to his face, inviting her touch-her fingers grazing his eyelids, hesitant, as if searching for an answer only she could find.

But Hannah's expression tightened. This wasn't the comfort she sought.

Suddenly, the door banged open, the sharp sound shattering the fragile moment.

Hannah's fingertips still lingered above Felix's brow as Vincent strode inside, the cane in his hand striking the floor with a commanding thud. "I hope I'm not interrupting," he said coldly, the challenge in his eyes unmistakable.

Rena rushed over, cheeks tinged with embarrassment. "I tried to keep him out, but he wouldn't listen," she admitted, voice low. Felix and Vincent traded barbed remarks, tension crackling between them.

The room fell silent, thick with words unspoken.

At last, Vincent's voice broke through, lower and steadier than before. "I've come to bring you back,Hannah. Will you leave with me?"