Chapter 56

A fierce determination settled within Alex, his gaze hardened with resolve. " She'll pay for it all. I can't believe I was in love with such a person. I won't rest until justice is served "

As the night descended, the trio sat in the quiet of the mansion, strategizing and planning their next steps. Despite the turmoil and the uncertain road ahead, they found solace in their unity and shared determination to right the wrongs inflicted by Angel.

As though Ava suddenly remembered something, she said to Jack " It's late Jack, you should get going "

Jack smiled knowingly " Why? "

He saw a surprised look crossed over Ava's features " Are you seriously asking me why?? Where is Liam?? "

Jack laughed " Come on, I wouldn't leave my boy in the hands of just anyone, would I? He's perfectly safe "

Ava continued to stare at him, trying to figure out if what he said was true.

" Come on Ava, trust me "Jack added with a chuckle.

Finally, Ava relaxed visibly and focused on Alex. With each passing moment, Alex's determination to seek justice for himself and those he cared about only grew stronger, vowing to unravel the truth behind Angel's actions and ensure that her reign of manipulation and deceit came to an end.

The clock ticked past midnight, yet the mansion was alive with fervent discussions and the rustle of papers. Alex, Ava, and Jack remained huddled in the study, poring over every piece of information they could gather about Angel's whereabouts and her past actions. Ava made three cups coffee and they took a cup each.

" Thanks " The brothers said at the same time and Ava smiled.

Alex's determination burned brightly as he sifted through documents and old photographs, piecing together a timeline of events. Memories began to resurface, fragments of moments shared with Angel, now tainted by the realization of her manipulation.

" I remember now " Alex muttered, his voice tinged with frustration " She was always so possessive, controlling every aspect of our relationship "

Ava nodded empathetically, sharing in the recognition of the toxicity that had pervaded Alex's past with Angel although she didn't know her personally " She couldn't handle the idea of being defeated, of not having you all to herself "

Jack, focused on the task at hand, sifted through legal records and news articles, trying to locate any recent sightings or potential leads on Angel's whereabouts. " She's clever, that's for sure. But we'll find her. There's always a trail, we just need to follow it "

The hours passed by, the intensity of their pursuit unwavering. The trio was fueled by the shared goal of holding Angel accountable for her actions, seeking justice not only for Alex but also for the safety and well-being of everyone she had manipulated.

Ava stifled a yawn, realizing the toll the long day had taken on them all

" Maybe we should rest. We've been at this for hours " Jack suggested, seeing how tired Ava looked

Alex glanced at Ava and Jack, the weariness evident in their faces. He nodded in agreement, acknowledging the need for a brief respite. " Yeah, you're right. Let's get some rest, but first thing in the morning, we continue "

With weary but determined nods, they started to disperse to their respective rooms, the weight of the pending confrontation with Angel still heavy on their minds.

" Wait a minute " Alex called and both Jack and Ava turned to him.

Alex rolled his eyes at Jack " Not you "

Jack smirked " Yeah yeah, I'm leaving. Nighty night " and he retired to the room Maggie had earlier prepared for him.

Ava clutched her dress by the sides in her small fists and she rocked back and forth on her feet nervously.

Alex cleared his throat " Sorry about earlier "

" Huh? " Ava asked, looking confused.

Alex scratched the back of his head, looking uncomfortable. It was obvious he didn't apologize often.

" About the way I reacted when I woke up " He said quickly.

Ava smiled " It's understandable, you didn't remember a thing "

Alex thought he saw a look of pain flashed through her eyes but he wasn't so sure. He nodded, pushing her expression out of his mind.

" Thank you. Have a good night rest then " He said softly.

It was Ava who nodded this time " You too " And he waited for her to retire to her room before he did the same.

The next morning brought a renewed sense of purpose. Over breakfast, they resumed their planning, mapping out a strategy to track down Angel and gather more evidence against her.

Jack glanced at Alex. " I've managed to contact a private investigator who specializes in these types of cases. He might be able to help us track her down "

" What about Black? It's his job too, right? " Ava asked and suddenly, Alex remembered the bodyguard.

" Oh shit " He said and brought out his phone. He was about to call him but stopped.

" Where is he? " He asked urgently

Ava explained to him that Black sustained a few injuries and had taken some days off work. Alex sighed in relief and nodded, glad that they were all safe.

Jack repeated what he said earlier and Alex nodded in approval, appreciating Jack's proactive approach

" Good, let's bring in every resource we can. We need to find her before she causes more harm " He agreed

As the day progressed, they meticulously organized their plan, dividing tasks and ensuring each step was thoughtfully executed. Phone calls were made, contacts were consulted, and every lead was followed up with precision.

Weeks passed, filled with tireless efforts to track Angel's movements, but she remained elusive, leaving behind a trail of dead ends and false leads. The frustration mounted, yet Alex's determination remained unwavering.

One evening, a phone call disrupted their restless pursuit. The private investigator's voice crackled through the line, carrying a sense of urgency.

" I think we might have a breakthrough. We've managed to locate Angel. She's been staying off the grid, but we've tracked her down to a secluded cabin in the mountains "