CHAPTER 48

The next morning, the air was thick with anticipation as I prepared to meet the mysterious sender. My mind spun with possibilities—what could they know about Thiago that I didn’t? And why now?

I arrived at Bayleaf restaurant early, my stomach churning. I had barely slept, the weight of last night’s conversation with Thiago still pressing on me. Was I walking into some kind of trap, or was this person genuinely trying to help me?

I ordered a coffee, forcing myself to remain calm as I waited for the stranger to arrive. The minutes felt like hours, my mind running through every possible scenario. Was this some business rival trying to sow doubt in my relationship with Thiago? Or worse, was this someone from Thiago’s past?

As the clock struck 10 AM, a man approached my table. He was tall, dressed in a well-tailored suit, his face unfamiliar. His expression was serious, his eyes scanning the room before they landed on me.

“Bridgette Martinez?” he asked, his voice low but firm.

I nodded, my