Chapter 237: The Road Home

Jasmine's POV

The moment the plane landed in New York, my heart nearly burst out of my chest. Sixteen days. It had been sixteen days since Louis left that island, searching for his way home. Was he safe? Was he getting close to us? Had Alan found him?

These questions swirled in my mind, making it almost impossible to breathe.

Daniel was waiting for us on the tarmac, his expression solemn. When he saw Eva, a flash of wariness crossed his eyes.

"Any news?" Marcus asked the moment we stepped off the plane.

Daniel shook his head. "Nothing yet. But we've deployed people throughout the city. If Louis tries to contact us, we'll know immediately."

"He might not remember the exact addresses," I said, my fingers clutching Louis's journal tightly. "But he remembers the Mitchell name, remembers New York. He'll be looking for clues."

"We've also arranged people at major hotels," Daniel added. "Anyone using the Mitchell surname or matching Louis's description will be reported."

In the car, I noticed Eva staring out the window, her expression complex. For four years, she had everything I'd dreamed of—Louis's presence, his smile, his voice. Even though it was built on lies, I couldn't completely ignore the jealousy in my heart.

"Do you know anywhere Louis might go?" I finally broke the silence, asking her.

Eva turned to me, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "He mentioned a nightclub. Said it was where he worked."

Marcus and I immediately exchanged glances. Louis's nightclub.

"Go there immediately," Marcus told the driver. Then I dialed Ryan phone. "Ryan, it's me. Louis might come to the club. Stay alert, but don't startle him. If he shows up, notify me right away."

On the way to nightclub, I flipped through Louis's journal, searching for any possible clues.

"How much of his memory has Louis recovered?" I asked Eva.

She sighed. "It's fragmented. Some days he remembers a lot, especially about you. But other memories are unclear."

A wave of heartache washed over me.

The car stopped outside the nightclub. It was still a few hours before opening time, but the staff was already preparing. Ryan, the club manager, hurried to meet us.

"Mrs. Mitchell, I'm sorry, no news about Mr. Mitchell. But—" he hesitated, "someone did come asking about him three days ago. A man with grayish-white hair, wearing glasses."

My heart sank. Alan.

"Pull up the surveillance footage," Marcus commanded.

In the surveillance room, we watched Alan—now going by Alexander Bennett—pacing outside the club, talking to several employees, then leaving disappointed.

"Alan doesn't know how much of Louis's memory has returned," I thought aloud. "He's probably worried Louis might remember what happened on the mountain that day."

"That's exactly what my father was concerned about," Eva suddenly said. "If Louis fully recovers his memory and identifies Alan as the one who tried to kill him, Alan will likely try to kill him again."

"Your father knows who Alan is?" Daniel asked sharply.

Eva nodded. "Enough to keep his distance."

After leaving the nightclub, we decided to split up. Daniel and additional security escorted Eva to a safe location. Though I didn't trust her, she was key to finding Louis. Marcus and I headed to the Mitchell family estate, one of the places Louis would most likely go.

On the way to the Mitchell home, my thoughts drifted back to when Louis and I first met. Back then, I was betrayed by my stepfather, forced to marry a stranger. And Louis, hiding a gentle heart beneath his cold exterior. Our marriage began as a transaction but transformed into true love through time's crucible.

Now, I only hoped to find him again, to tell him I never stopped loving him during these four years, to tell him about Grace, about our family, about all the moments he missed.

"Ready?" Marcus asked softly as the car stopped in front of the estate.

I took a deep breath and nodded. "I'm ready for whatever happens."

But I was wrong. Nothing could have prepared me for what happened next.

Daisy rushed out the door, wearing an expression I'd never seen before—a mixture of shock, joy, and fear.

My heart nearly stopped. "Daisy, what happened?"

"Louis!" she cried, tears streaming down her face. "Louis is back! He's inside!"

All sound seemed to fade away, the world spinning before my eyes. Louis was here. Louis had come home.

I ran into the house, my legs barely supporting me. In the hall stood Richard, his face wearing an expression of disbelief, tears glistening in his eyes. And beside him—

"Louis," his name escaped my lips.

He turned, and our eyes met. Four years had left their mark on him—he was thinner, with fine lines around his eyes. But those eyes—those eyes I loved so deeply, remained bright, remained his.

"Jasmine?" his voice trembled, as if he couldn't believe his own eyes.

Time stood still, and then we rushed toward each other, bridging four years of separation, crossing endless pain and waiting. His arms enveloped me, solid and warm, his scent surrounding me, so familiar, so comforting.

"You're really here," he whispered. "I found you. I finally found you."

I couldn't speak, could only hold him tight, as if afraid he might disappear again. Tears blurred my vision, but I could feel him trembling too.

"I'm sorry," he repeated again and again, "I'm sorry I made you wait so long. I forgot, Jasmine, I forgot everything, but I always remembered your name."

I cradled his face in my hands. "No, Louis, don't apologize. What matters is that you're back. You're alive, you're safe."

Our foreheads touched, our breaths mingling, four years of longing released in this moment. But reality quickly pulled us back—Alan was still out there, and what Eva's father might do remained unknown.

"Louis," I said softly, reluctantly pulling back a little, "there's so much to tell you, but first, you need to know you have a daughter."

"I have a daughter?" he finished my sentence, an incredible light shining in his eyes. "What's her name? Where is she? I need to see her."

"Her name is Grace, and she's with Isabella, safe," Marcus answered, his face showing equally complex emotions. "Louis, how much do you remember? About what happened in Switzerland that day?"

Louis's expression turned serious. "Fragments. Alan shot me, I fell from the cliff. After that, things get hazy."

"Do you know what Eva did to you?" I asked carefully.

Pain flashed in Louis's eyes. "She saved my life, but she also lied to me. She tried to make me believe we were engaged, but I always had your shadow in my heart, Jasmine. Whatever I forgot, I never forgot the feeling of loving you."

His words melted my heart, but now wasn't the time to indulge in the joy of reunion. We needed to ensure his safety.

"We need to take you somewhere safe," Richard said. "Alan knows you're alive, he'll try to kill you again."

"No," Louis shook his head, that familiar determination flashing in his eyes. "I'm not hiding anymore. I've lost four years of my life, four years of time with my daughter. It's time to end this once and for all."

He turned to me, holding my hand. "Take me to see Grace. Then, we'll face this together."

Just then, my phone rang. It was Daniel.

"We have a situation," his voice was tense. "Eva is missing."