Chapter 339

The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the tarmac as we arrived at Andy's private hangar. My heart hammered in my chest as I followed him, my footsteps echoing in the empty space. Doubt gnawed at the edges of my resolve, a voice whispering in the back of my mind, questioning the wisdom of our decision.

"Are you sure about this, Andy?" I asked, my voice tinged with uncertainty.

Andy turned to me, his gaze steady and unwavering. "It's too late to turn back now, Evie," he replied, his voice firm with determination. "We have to see this through to the end."

I nodded, my throat tight with apprehension. There was a sense of finality in his words, a recognition that there was no going back once we stepped onto that jet. But as Andy led me inside, a spark of curiosity flickered within me, a glimmer of hope amidst the uncertainty.

As we stepped onto the plush interior of the jet, my eyes widened in surprise as I caught sight of Timothy waiting for me. Relief washed over me like a tidal wave as I rushed forward, throwing my arms around him in a tight embrace.

"Timothy," I breathed, my voice choked with emotion. "Are you okay?"

Timothy returned my embrace, his arms wrapped tightly around me as if he never wanted to let go. "Andy told me everything," he said, his voice soft yet determined. "And I'm going to help you find your mother and my father."

A surge of gratitude welled up within me as I looked into his eyes, the strength of his resolve echoing my own. I kissed him and nestled my chin into his neck, not wanting to pull away.

“Hey, love birds.” Andy's voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me back to the present. "We don't have any time to waste," he said, his tone urgent. "We should head out while we still can."

I nodded, my heart racing with anticipation as I buckled myself into the seat beside Timothy. The pilot's voice crackled over the intercom, announcing our departure, and I felt a surge of excitement course through me.

The engines roared to life, propelling us forward into the unknown, and I couldn't help but marvel at the breathtaking view unfolding before me. The city lights twinkled below like a sea of stars, and I felt a sense of exhilaration wash over me as we soared higher and higher into the night sky.

As the jet soared through the night sky, leaving a trail of stars in its wake, I found myself overwhelmed by a swirl of emotions. I spotted Andy behind us, occupying himself with a glass of white wine.

"Thank you, Andy," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. "For helping us. I know you probably hated us before, so it’s nice you’re still doing this."

Andy offered me a small smile, his eyes reflecting the soft glow of the cabin lights. "It's what family does for one another," he replied, his voice gentle yet resolute. "And hopefully, this will bring justice for Stella as well once Mia gets taken down."

I nodded, my thoughts drifting to the woman who had once been my mother. The idea of her being capable of such heinous acts filled me with a sense of disbelief, a gnawing uncertainty that lingered at the edges of my consciousness.

"I still can't believe it," I confessed, my voice tinged with hesitation. "The idea of my own mother... being a killer."

Timothy placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, his touch grounding me amidst the storm of emotions swirling within me. "I know it's hard to accept, Evie," he said, his voice filled with empathy. "But there was a man in jail with me who said he knew Mia as one of her other aliases. She's not who you thought she was."

His words hit me like a punch to the gut, forcing me to confront the harsh reality before me. Mia, the woman who had perhaps once raised me, nurtured me, loved me... was nothing but a facade, a mask hiding the darkness lurking beneath. I had only seen splices of that darkness.

"But why?" I whispered, my voice barely audible above the roar of the engines. "Why would she do something like this?"

Timothy's gaze softened, his eyes filled with understanding. "I don't know, Evie," he admitted, his voice tinged with sadness. "But I do know that she would've hurt you too eventually. You have to believe that."

I nodded, the weight of his words sinking in like a heavy stone. The thought of facing my mother, of confronting her with the truth of her actions, filled me with a sense of trepidation. But Timothy was right. I couldn't let fear hold me back, not when justice hung in the balance.

"You'll always have us, Evie," Timothy said, his voice filled with conviction. "Aria, Lucas, and me. We're family, no matter what."

His words filled me with a sense of warmth, a reminder of the bonds that held us together through thick and thin. With their support, I knew I could face whatever lay ahead, no matter how daunting the challenge.

"I know," I replied, a faint smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "Thank you, Timothy. For everything."

As the jet cruised through the velvety night sky, the cabin enveloped us in a cocoon of solitude, the only sounds the gentle hum of the engines and the rhythmic beating of our hearts.

With a soft sigh, I turned to him, my eyes searching his face for reassurance. Timothy met my gaze, his expression a reflection of the turmoil swirling within him. But amidst the uncertainty, there was a glimmer of determination, a steadfast resolve that filled me with hope.

"Timothy," I whispered, my voice barely above a murmur as I cupped his cheeks. "We'll get through this. Together."

He reached out, his fingers resting over mine in the darkness, his touch sending a shiver of warmth coursing through me. "I know, Evie," he replied, his voice soft yet resolute. "And I’m glad you’re here with me, even if the circumstances are a little…less than ideal."

With a surge of courage, I leaned forward, my lips meeting his in a sweet, tender kiss. In that fleeting moment, all the worries and fears melted away.

As we pulled apart, our eyes locked and I blushed deeply. I felt a surge of determination coursing through me. No matter the challenges that lay ahead, no matter the obstacles we would face, I knew that as long as we were together, we could overcome this.

All at once, I couldn't shake the feeling of a pair of eyes on me. Glancing ahead, I caught a glimpse of Andy seated a few rows in front, his silhouette outlined against the soft glow of the cabin lights. Our eyes met for a fleeting moment, and I could have sworn I saw a hint of approval in his gaze before he turned away, his attention returning to whatever occupied his thoughts.

A surge of warmth flooded through me at the realization that Andy might have softened towards me, his tacit approval a small but significant gesture. For so long, I had felt like an outsider in his and Timothy’s world, a mere bystander to the complexities of their wealthy name.

But in that brief exchange, I dared to hope that perhaps, just perhaps, I had managed to change his opinion of me.