Though Rita’s memories still eluded her, the awkwardness between her and Arthur had faded, replaced by an easy, gentle rapport.

Arthur longed to show Rita the homes and places they once shared, hoping that familiarity might jog her memory. Their love story had been precious, and he yearned for her to share those memories once more; he couldn’t bear to be the only one who remembered.

The Thompsons were reluctant to part with Rita so soon, but knowing she and Arthur had already lost twenty years together, they understood and agreed.

With everyone’s blessings, the group left Yruzias together.

Finally, Elliana had managed to track down Rita and bring her home safely. The weight that had been squeezing her heart for days finally slid off her chest.

Yet, a deeper worry remained, anchoring itself in Elliana’s chest. Sally was still out there, somewhere beyond reach.

Adah ached for reunion with Sally, the longing consuming her days and haunting her nights. Elliana couldn’t turn away from that suffering, not even now that her own family stood whole again.

Adah and Elliana had grown up side by side, their lives braided together through the years. Adah’s pain became Elliana’s pain. Her hopes lived in Elliana’s heart as well.

Years had passed since Sally fled Ublento alongside Rita. The two women had stayed together after parting from Sophie, but then Miguel had cornered Rita, forcing her to leap into the sea’s cold embrace out of desperation and losing her memory afterward. After that moment, Sally had vanished as if the earth had swallowed her whole.

Rita’s memory remained locked away, leaving Elliana with no path forward. For now, Elliana could only pour her energy into helping Rita reclaim her lost memories, praying those recovered memories would reveal where Sally had gone.

During their time with the Thompson family, Elliana had already arranged for Rita’s medical examination and learned the truth—a head injury had erased her past. Restoring Rita’s memory would require two things: medication and constant exposure to the places and s that had once filled her life, triggers to awaken what lay dormant.

? : ν?

Elliana prepared the prescriptions herself and encouraged her father to take Rita through the landscape of her former existence.

Though the family had departed Yruzias together, their paths split in different directions.

Elliana and Cole returned to Ublento. Milton caught a flight to Sun Group headquarters to manage pressing business matters, while Arthur guided Rita on her journey back through memory.

Once home in Ublento, Elliana saw her children first, then made her way to Rosewood Villa and recounted everything that had unfolded in Yruzias to Adah.

Joy flooded Adah’s face when she heard that Elliana had finally found Rita, but learning Sally remained missing crushed that brightness, leaving behind only grief and despair.

“Adah, don’t lose hope. I’ll do everything within my power to bring Sally back to you,” Elliana vowed, squeezing Adah’s hands firmly.

“I know you will. I trust you’ll search until she’s found,” Adah whispered, tears pooling in her eyes. “I just miss Mom so much. I don’t know if she’s still breathing somewhere in this world, or if we’ll ever stand face to face again in this lifetime.”

“Sally is alive and safe, wherever she may be!” Elliana gripped Adah’s hand harder. “Don’t speak as though all hope is gone. You and Sally will find each other again, and when you do, nothing will tear you apart a second time.”

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