Chapter 21 21
“You’re not escaping this, Keren. You’ll be punished for your crime, just the way you deserve,” Nathan said firmly, his voice echoing down the hospital corridor. He had already stationed more guards at every exit, determined not to let her slip away again.
After leaving the hospital, Nathan went straight to the police station to file a formal complaint against Keren Williams. The officers assured him that a warrant would be issued but not until twenty-four hours later.
He was just stepping out of the station when his phone rang. It was one of the bodyguards from the hospital.
“Sir, I’m sorry to disturb you, but this is urgent,” the guard’s anxious voice came through the receiver. “Miss Williams has left the hospital.”
Nathan froze. “What did you just say?”
“Her father showed up—with a lawyer. They demanded her immediate release.”
Nathan’s grip tightened around the phone. “Her father? She told me she had no family.”
“I tried to stop them, sir. But the lawyer threatened to sue the hospital for illegal detention. The management panicked and ordered security to remove me. Before I knew it she was gone.”
Nathan’s expression darkened, disbelief flickering across his face. Her father? In Silverbrook?
Something didn’t add up. Everything Keren had ever said about her life seemed to crumble before him. Who exactly was this woman?
Who is Keren Williams? he thought grimly. Because whoever she truly was, it was clear now he’d only known a fraction of her story.
Two Days Later
Matt was backing his car out of the driveway when he noticed movement next door. A sleek black car rolled out of the long-deserted Parker mansion.
“Are the Parkers back?” he murmured, squinting at the vehicle disappearing down the street.
It had been more than eight years since anyone had lived in that house. Either the Parkers had returned or someone new had bought the place. He supposed he’d find out soon enough.
He couldn’t help but remember the Parkers’ daughter, Georgina. A strange, obsessive girl back in high school. She’d been infatuated with Nathan and had despised Brooke for being close to him. Her jealousy had once driven her to do something terrible. Something that could have ended badly for Brooke, if Nathan hadn’t intervened in time.
After that incident, Georgina vanished. Rumors spread about her father’s shady dealings. Within months, the entire Parker family disappeared from Silverbrook.
Shaking off the thought, Matt pulled onto the main road. He had somewhere important to be. Nathan needed him now more than ever.
Later That Evening
“Any news? Any clue where she might be?” Matt asked, handing Nathan a glass of whiskey.
They were seated in the small lounge attached to Nathan’s office. A quiet space he often used as a second home. A bed, a couch, a fridge, and a stack of unfinished paperwork surrounded him.
Nathan sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Nothing yet. But I’m not stopping until she’s found. I’ve already made sure she can’t leave the city. Every highway, airport, and border checkpoint is on alert.”
He took a slow sip before continuing, voice low and determined. “If anyone helps her escape, they’ll regret it.”
Matt nodded. “Good. My father’s been pulling some strings too. The Wendell connections will make sure no one crosses that line.”
Nathan gave a brief nod of gratitude. Then, after a moment of silence, he asked, “Where’s Ryan?”
“He left town after your argument. Said he needed time to clear his head.”
Nathan’s jaw tightened. The fight had been ugly. He’d blamed Ryan for what happened to Keren, too blinded by anger to see straight. Now, as the truth slowly unraveled, it seemed he might owe Ryan an apology.
“I’ll talk to him when he gets back,” Nathan said quietly.
Matt leaned back. “This girl, Keren… She's obsessed with you, man. It’s almost pitiful.”
“Maybe,” Nathan muttered. “But dangerous too.”
“Any update from your investigator?”
“Not yet. He’s gone to her hometown. I’m expecting something soon.”
Matt sighed. “Let’s hope it helps. Once your father’s lawyers step in, she’s done for.”
They sat in silence for a while, each lost in thought. Then Matt spoke again, hesitantly.
“Nathan… Do you think Keren might’ve had something to do with you and Brooke’s separation?”
Nathan looked up sharply. Matt continued, choosing his words carefully.
“I mean, back in high school, you and Brooke were inseparable. You made sure she got to class safely, never let anyone bully her, always listened to her. Then suddenly, Keren appeared and everything changed.”
He paused before adding softly, “If Keren hadn’t come into the picture, maybe you and Brooke would’ve stayed together. Maybe you wouldn’t be divorced now.”
Nathan didn’t reply right away. His fingers tightened around the glass. Maybe Matt was right. Maybe Keren had been pulling strings long before anyone realized.
He exhaled slowly. “Maybe,” he said at last, voice distant. “But it’s too late to undo the past.”
And as silence settled between them, one thing became clear. The situation at hand might be more complicated than he thought it was.
'What if..... I regret my decisions concerning Bee? What if I was wrong?' Nathan thought to himself in silence.