Chapter 55

FRANKIE

The crisp autumn air hits my face as I descend the stairs of Rafael's private jet, my heels clicking against each metal step. My cream silk blouse flutters in the breeze, and I adjust the scarf around my neck. Thomas had smoothly told Mel it was his jet, and while the lie left a bitter taste in my mouth, it had worked. My sister's suspicions had eased, but the guilt of deceiving her weighs heavy on my shoulders.

The empty tarmac stretches before me, eerily quiet except for the dying whine of the jet engines. My stomach twists as I scan the area – no sleek black Mercedes, no Rafael waiting. Something's wrong. He'd promised to be here, insisted on it actually, saying he couldn't wait another minute to see me after two weeks apart.

My hands tremble slightly as I pull out my phone, the screen reflecting the gray clouds gathering overhead. Rafael's number goes straight to voicemail, his warm voice recording making my heart clench. N