Hunter sat alone at the beautifully adorned venue, staring at the empty table where Angel should have been. The restaurant had been reserved for the occasion, the soft glow of candlelight flickering against the elegantly arranged flowers. Everything had been set for the perfect proposal—a moment that was now nothing more than a painful reminder of what he had lost.
For years, he had harbored resentment toward the Foster family, convinced that they had orchestrated his downfall. The anger had kept him going, giving him a purpose even in the darkest days of his imprisonment. But now, knowing they weren’t responsible, that they had even tried to help him—it was overwhelming.
Hunter exhaled sharply, gripping the velvet box in his hand. He had been willing to let go of his hatred for Angel’s sake, even when he thought her family was behind his suffering. Now, there was no need for that sacrifice. But the truth left a gaping void—if the Fosters weren’t responsible, then who was? Who had gone to such lengths to destroy his life?
He wasn’t ready for that answer yet. Right now, all that mattered was finding Angel.
With a heavy heart, he reached for his phone and dialed Kian’s number. His brother answered almost immediately.
"Hunter?" Kian’s voice held a note of concern.
"I want to keep the venue," Hunter said, his voice hoarse. "Even if Angel isn’t here. I just… need to be here."
A pause. Then, "I understand. Do you want company?"
Hunter shook his head, even though Kian couldn’t see him. "No. I just need some time."
Kian didn’t push. "Alright. Call me if you need anything."
The call ended, and Hunter leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping against the unopened ring box. His mind raced with thoughts of Angel—where she could have gone, why she had left without a word. The knowledge that she blamed herself for his suffering cut deeper than anything else. He had endured those years behind bars, but the thought of Angel carrying that weight on her shoulders was unbearable.
As the night dragged on, Hunter’s thoughts turned to the search ahead. He had to think logically—Angel wouldn’t have gone somewhere random. She had to be somewhere she felt safe. Her childhood home was out of the question, and the hospital was no longer an option. That left very few places.
His gaze drifted to the flickering candlelight, the soft clinking of glasses from the remaining restaurant staff a stark contrast to the turmoil in his heart. He thought back to the moments they had shared, how Angel had always been the one thing in his life that made him feel whole. Losing her was not an option.
By the time the waitstaff began clearing the tables, Hunter knew he couldn’t sit there any longer. Clutching the ring box, he stood up and walked out into the night. The cool air hit his face as he made his way to his car, determination settling into his bones.
He drove aimlessly at first, the city lights blurring past him. Every place they had spent time together flashed through his mind. The small café by the university, the beach where they had watched the sunset countless times, even the quiet park where she loved to read. He made mental notes to check each one tomorrow.
Stopping at a red light, he ran a hand down his face, exhaustion weighing on him. He wasn’t just tired—he was emotionally drained. Everything he thought he knew had shifted, leaving him grasping for something solid to hold on to. And that something was Angel.
Pulling into his driveway, he barely registered the house that now belonged to him, a stark contrast to the cold prison cell he had once called home. He had fought to reclaim his life, but it meant nothing without her.
The moment he stepped inside, he went straight to his study, pulling out a notepad. He listed every possible place Angel could have gone, crossing off the obvious ones. Then, he picked up his phone and started making calls. If she had booked a flight, checked into a hotel, or used her credit cards, there had to be a trail.
Kian called back an hour later. "I had some people check the airports and train stations. No record of her leaving the city."
That was a small relief. "Thanks. I’ll start checking around tomorrow."
"Hunter… don’t push yourself too hard. You just got your life back."
Hunter let out a dry chuckle. "My life isn’t complete without her."
Kian was silent for a moment before saying, "We’ll find her."
As he hung up, Hunter stared at the notes scattered across his desk. This wasn’t just about finding Angel—this was about making sure she knew the truth. She wasn’t responsible for what happened to him. She had never been. And he would make sure she understood that.
Leaning back in his chair, he closed his eyes for a moment. Tomorrow, the search would begin in earnest. But for now, he allowed himself a single moment to feel the weight of it all.
Then, with a deep breath, he steeled himself for what lay ahead.
Because no matter what it took, he was bringing Angel back home.