Matthew had promised he would return to her, that they would be together soon.


    “Ste? Ste, are you there?” Miley’s voice, thick with worry, finally broke through the haze.


    Ste blinked, forcing herself to focus.


    “I’m here,” she answered, her voice shaky.


    Desperation wed at her as she was about to call for a servant to turn on the TV, her thoughts racing to check thetest news.


    But before she could speak, a voice rang out behind her.


    “Ste, what’s going on? What’s taking you so long?” Lucia approached, clearly puzzled by Ste’s dy.


    For a moment, Ste was lost, her mind a whirlwind of fear and confusion.


    But the sight of Lucia brought her back to reality.


    She couldn’t let Lucia worry-especially not when she didn’t know all the details.


    Taking a deep breath, Ste forced the panic down, willing herself to stayposed.


    She shook her head slightly at Lucia, offering a tight smile to reassure her.


    Then, she spoke into the phone with newfound resolve.


    “I’m at Lucia’s house right now.


    I’ll reach out to Fernando and see what he knows.


    We’ll keep in touch, Miley.


    I’ll call youter.


    ”


    “Okay.


    ”


    As Ste ended the call, the thought of food made her stomach turn.


    She nced at Lucia with an apologetic expression.


    “Lucia, I’m so sorry, but there’s an emergency at the studio.


    I have to leave right away.


    ”


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    Lucia’s eyes widened in concern.


    “What happened? Why are you in such a rush?”


    Not wanting to give herself away, Ste waved it off with a forced casual smile.


    “The partners are just eager to finalize some design drafts.


    No need to fret,” she said, her tone light, though a storm brewed beneath her calm exterior.


    Relieved, Lucia exhaled softly.


    “I’ll have the driver take you home,” she offered.


    But Ste shook her head firmly.


    “No need.


    I can drive myself.


    ”


    With that, she hurried out and rushed to her car, eager to check for news updates online.


    The tragedy in Sothrea had already gripped the world, dominating headlines on every major news tform.


    The situation was exactly as Miley had described, except now the death toll had risen-by one.


    Ste’s eyes blurred as she scrolled through the grim details, her hand trembling against the cold, unfeeling ss of the screen.


    She couldn’t afford to lose control now.Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.


    With a surge of determination, she dialed Fernando’s number.


    No answer.


    Panic wed at her heart, and it was all she could do to keep telling herself that there was still hope, that Matthew was safe-he had to be.


    But each unanswered call frayed her nerves further.


    She dialed Lindsay, only to be met with the same, soul-crushing silence.