It had been three months since they arrived in that city—three months of peace and happiness, with just enough to live on.
Ana and Kaspy worked part-time, feeling that life couldn't get any better. Ana, in particular, felt useful, as if she finally had a family of her own. Best of all, she no longer had to see the people who had hurt her—people who still walked free, bragging about their lives to anyone willing to listen.
The young woman found herself laughing more than ever, her heart opening again. She loved Kaspy's little boy as if he were her own. Not long ago, she and Kaspy had married privately; it was legal. Ana had turned seventeen two months earlier.
At home, they enjoyed the freedom of summer, spending hours together, savoring the love they shared.
Meanwhile, her family wasn't doing well. They had investigated and discovered that Adam wasn't behind Ana's disappearance this time.
Anthony told their parents about Kaspy and Ana's relationship. From that moment on, they tried to uncover the identity of this mysterious man but found nothing.
Anthony attempted to reach out to his twin through the special bond they shared, but Ana had put up a barrier between them.
This only deepened Anthony's determination to find his sister again—this time to keep her from running away ever again.
When Sara finally obtained information about Ana's possible location, four months had already passed since her escape.
Both Nick and Anthony were desperate to bring her back to the mansion, intending to hire the best and most trustworthy tutors. They would not allow her to step outside—not even into the garden—without supervision.
However, Sara understood Ana better than anyone. She knew exactly what it was like to be hurt by people who enjoyed total impunity.
Because of this, the dark-haired woman turned to Javier, asking him to search for Ana and to report only to her once he found her.
Anthony couldn't understand why his sister acted this way. No matter how much Sara tried to explain, the blond was too pure and innocent to truly grasp it.
He had never experienced the horrors Sara and Ana had endured. Neither had Nick. This was why Sara loved them so deeply—and why Anthony was her favorite; he was just like her beloved husband, Nick.
One afternoon, Anthony was in his room, leaning against the window as he spoke to Sindy on the phone. Rain poured down, soaking the garden outside.
"I just don't get it, Sindy," Anthony said with frustration. "Why would Ana rather run off with that stranger than stay with us—her real family?"
"Love makes people act irrationally, Anthony," Sindy replied gently. "It's part of being human."
"It shouldn't be that way," Anthony muttered, hitting the wall in frustration.
"Calm down, handsome. Ana fell in love for the first time and wanted to live it her way. That's all."
Anthony frowned. "Sindy… are you taking her side?"
"I just… wish I had her courage, that's all," she confessed.
"What do you mean?"
"The truth is… I'd like to have the bravery to walk away from everything and everyone—just to be with you."
Anthony was caught off guard, heat rising to his cheeks. "S-Sindy… I…"
"I surprised you, didn't I?" she teased.
"Yeah… a lot," he admitted with a nervous laugh.
"You shouldn't be. After all, you know I care about you."
Their conversation shifted unexpectedly, giving Anthony something else entirely to think about. For the first time that day, a small smile tugged at his lips.
"I care about you too, Sindy," he said softly.