Chapter 1988

An hour later, Kristian arrived, only to be met with the scattered debris of the aircraft.

He staggered back in shock, nearly falling over.

“How could this happen! Where are they? Bella! Stella!” he cried out twice to the sea, but the waves were the only reply.

Matthew’s expression turned grim.

He pressed his lips together, choosing to remain silent.

“The rescue team is still searching, but there’s no sign of them yet.

It’s likely they didn’t survive, given the severity of the crash,”

Fernando conveyed on Matthew’s behalf, his voice heavy with sorrow.

With a deep sigh, he expressed the weight of their grim reality.

Kristian staggered forward, covering his face as he sobbed, “How could this happen? I checked everything myself on the plane.

We were supposed to meet in Dorburn.

How could they just leave?”

His voice trailed off into a mumble, weighed down by grief.

“It’s all on me.

I should never have left them behind.

My job isn’t as important as being there for them in Dorburn!” He continued, his voice tinged with sorrow, “I assumed the private plane was safer, but why did this happen?”

Tears of self-reproach streamed down his face.

Throughout this, Matthew remained silent, his face unreadable and stoic.

No one could guess what he was thinking.

Eventually, he spoke, commanding, “Everyone, into the water now! We must search meticulously—cover every inch!”

That evening, the startling news of a private plane crashing into the sea reached many.

Matthew spent the entire night by the shore where the incident occurred.

Despite the rescue team’s efforts, they found no one, casting a heavy pall over everyone involved.

Amid the search, someone whispered, “The search area is immense, and the plane was aflame before it hit the water.

Finding survivors is unlikely.

”

Matthew’s expression hardened as he sharply commanded, “Stop talking.

Just continue the search!”

During this tense time, Miley was the first to phone, seeking news about Stella.

Through tears, she managed, “Is that true? Has something happened to Stella? She-“

Matthew responded tersely, “We’re still searching.

Nothing is confirmed yet.

”

His attempt at reassurance fell short for Miley.

She sobbed into the phone, “Matthew, please, you must find Stella.

Don’t stop looking for her.

”

Matthew replied with resolve, “I will.

”

Miley, overwhelmed, failed to end the call, leaving her cries audible to Matthew until another call interrupted.