"Thaddeus!"


    Rushing to his side, Cassius and Aaron were taken aback to find him on one knee, his palm rough and slick with sweat, clutching a ruby-red rose brooch that Evadne often wore, a piece she had crafted herself.


    The thought alone was unbearable, like a sentence of the worst kind!


    "Bro, Thaddeus, I did a quick recon. I think what the nurse said holds water."


    Aaron crouched beside Thaddeus, trying to keep a lid on his own panic as he tried to offer somefort, "There''s no sign of a struggle here, no chaotic footprints. And a nurse mentioned seeing Evadne boarding a helicopter with some medics. It''s clear, she went willingly to escort Mrs. Chambers. No one forced her."


    "That''s exactly what''s fishy."


    Thaddeus''s gaze darkened, his grip on the brooch so tight it dug into his palm, staining the rose even redder, "Here, everyone''s been yed by Avery, including his own mother. They were all just pawns in his scheme to lure Evadne onto that chopper!"


    "Thaddeus is right!"


    Cassius agreed wholeheartedly, "The only way to get Evadne to leave by her own will was to exploit her kindness.


    Mrs. Chambers was merely bait. Avery''s real n was to use that helicopter to abduct Evadne!"


    "God! If that''s true, then Evadne could be... beyond Helgen''s borders by now? It''s been hours!" Aaron was visibly distressed, his anxiety peaking.


    "My brother-inw and Debby thought of that. They''ve locked down Helgen''s borders. And with Avery being hunted by both countries, there''s no way... he could''ve left Helgen."


    Thaddeus pocketed the brooch, battling immense grief to think clearly, "He''s definitely hiding somewhere in Helgen. The man''s used to living in luxury, being treated like royalty. How could he stand being a fugitive, living day to day on the run? His pride wouldn''t allow it. So, he''d stay somewhere familiar, somewhere advantageous for him."


    Aaron was impressed, wanting to p but feeling it inappropriate under the circumstances.


    This man, pushed to the brink, suffering yet his judgment remained unclouded.


    It was heart-wrenching to witness.


    "Thaddeus''s analysis is spot on, but it presents a huge problem!"


    Cassius looked worn and serious, "At the end of the day, Avery only wants Evadne. Now that he has her, he might resort to despicable means to break her will, to hide her away indefinitely.


    He''s betting on breaking her spirit, but even if she resists, as long as they''re together, he believes he has all the time in the world to possess her..."


    "Ah...!" Thaddeus copsed, his pain so intense it brought him to his knees, his body shaking.


    "Big bro! Not now, don''t push him further!" Aaron wrapped his arms around him, his heart aching.


    "I''m stating a likely scenario, making sure we''re prepared for the worst!"


    Cassius was usually gentle, but in matters of principle, he could be unyieldingly harsh, "Helgen isn''t small, covered with forests, and with nearly a hundred inds in the na Archipgo. If Avery hides anywhere, it would take ages to search, and anything could happen by then. It''s inevitable!


    But, the good news is, Evadne won''t be in mortal danger. Avery wants her, not to harm her. Of that, I''m certain."


    Thaddeus trembled violently, "I''m afraid... afraid Evadne''s strong will might lead her to despair..."


    "No way!" the Ashbourne boys said in unison.


    "Thaddeus, we''ve known Evadne our whole lives. She''s not one to give up easily!"


    Aaron''s eyes shone with determination, "No matter how dark or dire the situation, as long as she breathes, she''ll fight to survive!


    Thaddeus, we''ll find her!"


    "But Thaddeus, if, and I''m just saying if, Evadne is... with Avery..." Cassius turned away, his voiceced with unbearable pain from his own cruel thoughts.


    "I want her."


    Thaddeus, his face streaked with tears, spoke with unwavering resolve, "No matter what Evadne has be, no matter what she''s endured... she''ll always be my wife. I''ll protect her till death do us part, never abandoning her!"


    ROSE Ind, where the sea breeze stirred silver waves in a dance of solitude and silence.


    After what felt like an eternity, the fog of sedation began to lift, and Evadne slowly opened her heavy eyelids.


    But her body was still weak, unable to muster any strength, lying in bed, her fingers curling slightly, her delicate nostrils ring softly.


    "Evadne, you''re awake?"


    A familiar, soothing voice reached her ears, sending a shiver down her spine and


    a cold sweat across her body.


    Evadne tried to rise, but even with all her effort, she couldn''t.


    Suddenly, she felt light as air-


    Her slender waist was scooped up by strong arms, pressing her against a warm


    chest.