Chapter 20

Jason stood on a street in Southcrest, the sea breeze carrying its salty moisture rushing toward him. He gazed at the unfamiliar yet bustling city before him, his expression dark and worn. A month had passed. He'd searched nearly every corner of Southcrest but still found no trace of Maya. Benjamin's lead only confirmed she'd bought a ticket to Southcrest, but where could she be hiding in a town this small? Jason rubbed his temples. Days of relentless searching had left his eyes bloodshot. He glanced at his watch. It was already 9:00 pm. The pedestrians on the street were gradually thinning out. He wandered aimlessly, his gaze scanning every passing figure, afraid to miss even the slightest possibility. Suddenly, his steps came to an abrupt halt. Not far ahead, a woman in a white dress stood with her back to him under a streetlight. Her slender silhouette, the way her hair lifted slightly in the breeze—everything reminded him of Maya. Jason's heart contracted violently, his blo