Chapter 81

Rudolf’s POV
A few days later, I received news from my men that surprised me. They told me that Hannah had changed her identity. Was that why she couldn’t be found? My feelings were mixed—on one hand, I felt worried; on the other, I felt even more determined to solve this problem.
I knew that changing identities was not a simple matter and it showed that she was trying to escape the consequences of her actions. And that certainly made me feel that she should be held accountable for her actions.
Immediately, I ordered my men to gather enough evidence so that we could take legal action to arrest her. “We need solid information,” I said, my voice firm and confident. “Find out where she is now and who helped her disguise her identity. Make sure we get clear data.”
My men nodded, and I saw determination in their eyes. “We will, sir. We will work quickly to get all the information we need.”
As they left my office, I imagined how my plan would work. I would not be harmed by Hannah’s decision again. At all costs, I would protect Mikayla and the new family I had built.
Thinking back on everything that had happened, I remembered the tears that had welled up in my eyes when Mikayla was by my side.
I put all my energy into completing this quest. I know that to ensure a bright future for my beloved family, I must fulfill this responsibility.
When I got home after a long day, I felt the need to tell Mikayla about my plans to go to Canada. Despite my trepidation, I knew that honesty was best.
“Mikayla,” I said, approaching her and leaning against the table. “I need to tell you something important.” She looked at me, curious.
“I’m flying to Canada to catch Hannah with my own hands,” I continued firmly.
Deep down, I felt bad telling her, but this was the step I had to take.
“Rudolf…,” Mikayla’s voice sounded worried. “Are you sure this is what you should do? What about the kids? We need you here.”
“I understand, and I don’t want to be gone for long,” I assured her. “My men have found out that she works as a clerk at a souvenir shop there. I plan to pretend to be a customer at her shop, allowing me to approach her without suspicion.”
She took a deep breath, considering the decision. “But you have to be careful. Hannah might panic if she feels threatened. This could be dangerous.”
I reached for Mikayla’s hand, holding it tightly. “I won’t take any unnecessary risks. However, I need to do this to resolve this once and for all. I don’t want any way to go back to our past.”
Mikayla’s gaze was gentle, but I could feel her uncertainty. “Okay, if you feel this is best, I’ll support you. But please take care of yourself. Our family needs you very much.”
Her words made me feel stronger. “Of course, Mikayla. I’ll try to come back soon. We have a future to build together, and nothing can ruin that.”
After preparing everything, I said goodbye to Mikayla and the children with a heavy but determined heart. I knew this was an important step in keeping my family safe in the future.
As the plane took off, I felt a combination of tension and courage fill me. I had one goal left: to find Hannah and make sure that all issues with our past were truly resolved.
As I arrived at the souvenir shop my men had referred me to, I felt my heart pounding. Indeed, Hannah looked a little different. Perhaps she had undergone plastic surgery to disguise herself. However, despite the changes, I, who had known her for quite some time, could see a physical feature that could not be denied—her eyes. Those eyes, although slightly different, still held the same gaze that I had once known.
Resolutely, I entered the store with the intention of shopping. The atmosphere inside was bright, surrounded by beautiful items. However, my eyes were drawn to the professional figure behind the counter.
As I approached one of the shelves to browse, I realized that it was Hannah.
She served another customer before turning to me.
Although her efforts to hide her identity were evident from the changes in her face and hairstyle, they were not enough for me to not recognize her.
“Can I help you, sir?” she asked in a friendly tone, with a genuine smile.
I prepared myself to speak, trying not to appear too nervous. “Yes, I would like to buy one of the signature souvenirs. I heard this store has a good selection,” I said calmly, trying to keep my appearance casual.
Hannah then directed her attention to the various items on the shelves while explaining the details of the products. As she spoke, her voice, though changed, made me feel like I was transported back to a simpler time.
As I listened to her explanation, I couldn’t help but feel the mixed emotions that welled up inside me. Each detail of the present brought back memories of the past. But looking into her eyes, I remembered how much trouble she had caused.
“Hannah,” I said, without waiting any longer.
Once again, I looked into her eyes more closely. “You can’t keep hiding forever.”
She jumped in surprise, quickly changing her expression to a defensive one. “Who… who are you!?”
I didn’t answer, but I saw the hesitation and panic on her face. In an instant, I knew this was my chance to finish what had been left unfinished. We were both in this game, but this time, I wasn’t going to let her get away with it.
“I’m here to demand an answer,” I said firmly, trying to remain calm even as my heart shook. “It’s time for you to face the consequences.”
Hannah had seemed calm at first, but seeing my face, she began to panic. Maybe she felt cornered by this situation. I knew that I couldn't give her a chance to escape.