When Hogan stumbled upon Susanna in the orchard, she had once again passed out from the pain. Her legs were bound to a tree, dangling lifelessly as blood dripped from her knees to the ground below.
Hogan, his heart aching for her yet unable to show any sign of it, sternly commanded his men, "Get her into the car and head back to J City immediately."
The driver hurried to comply, gently lifting Susanna from the tree and carrying her away.
Hogan didn't even dare to show his face to Jonathan as he led his people out of the estate through a back path.
*
It was evening, the setting sun casting a gentle glow, the air warm and inviting. Estelle and Magdalen were out on the lawn playing soccer with Kya.
Kya's laughter, light and joyful like the tinkling of bells, filled the air, softening even the breeze.
Jonathan and Charlie sat on a bench, watching them play.
"I came this close to going after Susanna myself when I saw the surveillance footage!" Charlie exclaimed.
"I figured as much," Jonathan replied calmly.
Charlie, his legs crossed and leaning back against the bench, his gaze deep and thoughtful, said, "I just love Kya so much. She and Emily are my world. I don't think I could live if anything happened to them!"
Thankfully, Kya, having been showered with love from birth, was bubbly and outgoing, unaffected by the incident. With her parents and Estelle and Magdalen doting on her, she quickly returned to her usual cheerful self.
Jonathan's eyes followed Estelle around, nodding in agreement, "I understand completely!"
Charlie chuckled, "So, when are you going to have a little girl to keep Kya company? You've been at it for a while with no news. What's the holdup, you shooting blanks?"
Jonathan's face darkened as he glared at him, "For your information, I might just have twins!"
Charlie scoffed, "You can't even manage one, and you're dreaming of twins!"
Jonathan held back, knowing any response would be futile, especially with Charlie in a foul mood. He let it slide for now.
A car approached in the distance, and Charlie turned to look, "Looks like Gab and Ms. Jarvis are here!"
"What is it?" Magdalen asked, intrigued.
"Gabriel and I have known each other for a long time."
"How long are we talking about?"
"Since I was eight, so about sixteen years now!"
Magdalen's eyes widened in shock, "You've known Gab since you were eight, even before me?"
Sylvia nodded with a gentle smile, "Yes, I'm sorry for not being upfront earlier. There were special reasons. When you set us up, I was as surprised as you were."
Magdalen was flabbergasted, "So you've known each other all this time, and I unknowingly set you two up on a date?!"
The more Magdalen thought about it, the more she found the whole situation utterly bizarre.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
May we please have updates... I'm curious to know how Marina saved Carson....
Time for Carson andarina to comit. Thank you for the updates....
Things are looking up for Xavier and Norah. Thank you for the updates....
Woohoo! This was sooooo good. Thank you for the updates....
This was classic updates. Thank you so much...
May we please have updates. Thank you...
I sincerely hope that Gonzalez finds the taped meeting of Hannah and Trevor to throw them under the bus....
How will Gonzalez get back at Hannah, Yvonne and Trevor for the setup and fall from grace....
Adrian needs to safe face and not do this. It will embarrass he and Norah and his family. Thank you for the updates....
This a HOT MESS for them both....