Chapter 340

The plane's descent feels like a plunge into the unknown abyss, a journey into darkness with no guarantee of survival. Beside me, Timothy’s hands gripped the armrests, his knuckles white with tension. We exchanged a glance, silent communication passing between us like a coded message in a war zone.

Costa Rica. A land of beauty and danger, where every shadow hides a potential threat in the form of a deadly woman. A deadly woman who’s blood I share.

As the wheels touched down with a jolt, I steeled myself for how I would confront. Would she deny it all, even with the evidence right there in her face?

We joined the throng of weary travelers crowding the streets, our senses alert for any sign of danger. The humid air of Costa Rica enveloped us like a warm embrace, the scent of tropical foliage mingling with the distant crash of ocean waves.

Andy took the lead, his movements precise and purposeful. Timothy and I kept close behind him, my heart pounding in my chest like a drumbeat of impending doom. We collect our luggage in silence, each passing second adding to the weight of the task before us.

"Andy, we need to move fast," I say, my voice low and urgent as we hail a taxi.

He nods grimly, his jaw set in determination. "I know. We can't afford to waste any time."

The taxi ride is a blur of flashing lights and blaring horns as we race through the streets of San Jose. Andy keeps a watchful eye on our surroundings, his gaze darting from side to side like a hawk on the hunt. I can feel the tension mounting with each passing moment, a knot of fear tightening in my stomach.

Finally, we pull up outside the hotel, a looming fortress of concrete and glass that seems to mock our fragile resolve. Andy pays the driver with a terse nod, and we step out onto the pavement, our weapons concealed beneath our clothing.

"And we’re on," Andy murmurs, his voice barely audible above the din of the city.

We make our way through the grand entrance, our movements swift and sure. The receptionist eyes us warily as we approach, her suspicions evident in the set of her shoulders. Had something already happened?

Andy led me to the elevator, his hand hovering over the button like a coiled spring ready to snap. We ride in silence, the tension between us palpable in the air.

As the elevator doors slide open, we step out into the hallway, our senses on high alert. The sound of our footsteps echoes in the silence.

Andy, his posture resolute, led the way with purpose, navigating through the bustling airport terminal with the assuredness of a seasoned traveler. With each step, the gravity of our mission loomed larger, a heavy burden that hung over us like a storm cloud threatening to burst.

"We're staying at the same hotel as Mia and Kamran," Andy announced, his voice carrying a sense of urgency. "They're in the penthouse suite."

My heart quickened at the mention of Mia's name, a turbulent mix of emotions swirling within me. She was my mother, the woman who had nurtured and guided me, but she was also shrouded in mystery and suspicion. The thought of confronting her filled me with a sense of trepidation, but there was no turning back now. We had come too far to falter.

As we checked into the hotel, I felt a surge of impatience building within me, urging us to hasten our pursuit. "We don't have any more time to waste," I declared, the urgency in my voice palpable.

Timothy's brow furrowed with concern as he regarded me, his eyes reflecting the weight of our predicament. "It could be dangerous, Evie," he cautioned, his tone laced with apprehension. "Andy and I should go alone."

I shook my head, my determination unwavering. "No," I insisted, my voice firm with resolve. "This is my mother we're talking about. I should be the one to deal with it."

Timothy's gaze softened, a sigh escaping his lips as he relented. "There's no point in stopping you," he conceded, his tone tinged with resignation. "But let's try to be tactful about it."

With a nod of agreement, I led the way, my heart pounding in my chest as we made our way to the penthouse suite. The hallway stretched out before us, a silent corridor leading us closer to the confrontation that awaited us. Each step brought us closer to the truth, closer to the answers we so desperately sought.

Raising my hand, I rapped my knuckles against the polished wood of the door in a series of urgent knocks. But there was no response, no indication that anyone was inside. A sense of unease settled over me as I exchanged a glance with Timothy and Andy, the tension thickening with each passing moment.

"We should check the itinerary," Timothy suggested, his voice breaking the silence. "Maybe they're at the spa or something."

I nodded, a sense of disappointment washing over me as I retrieved the door hanger from the wall. Sure enough, the spa was listed as one of the activities available during their stay, the timing coinciding with the present moment.

Frustration bubbled within me as I realized that once again, Mia had slipped through our fingers. But there was no time for regrets, no time for dwelling on what could have been. We had to act fast.

“Fine enough,” Andy said suddenly. “We can just split up. We’ll go after our dad, you find your mother.”

I nodded. “Sounds good,” I said right before Timothy's voice cut through the air, his concern evident as he grabbed my hand.

"Hold on. Do you feel safe doing this, Evie?" he asked, his gaze searching mine for reassurance.

I offered him a small smile, masking the doubts that gnawed at the edges of my resolve. "My mom would never harm me physically," I replied, my voice steady with conviction. "She's always been more hands-off when it comes to me."

But even as the words left my lips, a seed of doubt took root within me. The image of my mother standing there, literal blood on her hands, loomed large in my mind and I couldn’t help but doubt. What if I had misjudged her, underestimated the depths of her deception?

As I stepped into the opulent spa, the tranquil atmosphere enveloped me like a warm embrace. Soft lighting danced across polished marble floors, and the air was filled with the soothing scent of essential oils. I took a moment to relish in the serene ambiance, my tense muscles already beginning to unwind.

But beneath the façade of calmness, a storm brewed within me—a tempest of anger and betrayal that threatened to consume me whole. I clenched my fists, determined to confront the source of my turmoil head-on.

I made my way to the service desk, where a woman with a serene smile greeted me. "Welcome to Tranquility Spa. Do you have an appointment?"

I shook my head, my jaw set with determination. "I'm looking for someone. Mia Robins."

The woman's smile faltered for a fraction of a second before she composed herself. "Ah, Ms. Robins. Follow me, please."

She led me through a labyrinth of corridors until we reached a secluded area of the spa. Through a frosted glass door, I caught a glimpse of Mia, reclining in a mud bath, her eyes closed in blissful ignorance.

My heart pounded in my chest as I steeled myself for what was to come. Without hesitation, I pushed open the door and stormed into the room, my anger boiling over.

"Mia!" I called out, my voice sharp with accusation.

Mia's eyes flew open in surprise, and she scrambled to sit up in the bath, mud dripping from her body. "Evie? What are you doing here?"