103. He is Gone

As they made their way back to the Villa, Riley couldn’t shake the nagging sense of dread that had settled in the pit of her stomach. River remained quiet beside her, his arm firmly around her waist, but his earlier playfulness was gone. The change in his demeanor only heightened her concern. When they finally reached their room, River ushered her inside. He closed it behind them with a quiet click and turned to face her, his expression unreadable. “River, please,” Riley urged softly. “What’s going on?” He let out a long sigh and raked a hand through his hair. “I…I am afraid we need to go back home now.” Riley’s breath hitched. “Why? Are the kids okay? Are Lucas and Tiffany—” “The kids are fine,” River interrupted, his voice steady but laced with tension. “This isn’t about them.” Riley’s heart thudded in her chest, her mind racing through all the possibilities. “Then what is it?” River hesitated for a moment, his jaw clenching as if he was debating how much to say. “It’s about Alexande