Chapter 12

CHAPTER TWELVE

After the revelation of arson and embezzlement, Lily, Rosario, and I were in my living room, surrounded by records and laptops. The air was tense, but the dogs' calm breathing provided comfort.

In the end, our investigation led us to the doorstep of the mastermind behind the arson and embezzlement. “Look at these transactions,” Lily said, tracing a series of numbers on the screen. “Substantial amounts are being funneled into an account we don't recognize. Do you?”

Rosario leaned in, his brow furrowed. “That's a shell company. I've seen setups like this before—used to launder money and hide the trail.”

Then it dawned on me only two people had access to our accounts, raising suspicions. Lily and I exchanged glances, the unspoken suspicion heavy in the air. Reluctantly, I suggested, “We should check Anika's records. Maybe there's something there.”

Examining Anika's records, we found encrypted emails between her and “M.” Rosario immediately realized Mr. Mallory was “M.” Lily decrypted the emails, confirming Anika's involvement in the embezzlement and arson.

Lily looked up, her eyes meeting mine. “M is blackmailing her.”

A knot formed in my stomach, and suddenly bile rose in my throat. “But why?” Anika, my trusted employee, was being blackmailed by Mr. Mallory into embezzling funds and setting fire to the hospital. The weight of the betrayal was crushing.“We need to go to the police,” Lily said, her voice shaking.

Rosario nodded. “But first, we need to talk to Anika.”

We found Anika in the makeshift office we had set up in Lily's garage. Her eyes were red and swollen, her face pale. When she saw us, she looked as if she had seen a ghost.

“Anika, we know,” I said gently.

She collapsed into a chair, tears streaming down her face. “I'm so sorry, Sanova. I never wanted to hurt you or the hospital. But he—he threatened to expose my family's secrets. I didn't have a choice.”

We listened as she poured out her story, her voice filled with shame and regret. Mr. Mallory had discovered a dark secret from her past, a mistake she had made years ago. He had used it to manipulate her, forcing her to do his bidding.

“It's not your fault, Anika,” I said, my heart aching for her. “You were a victim too.”

Rosario placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “We'll help you through this. We'll go to the police together, and we'll make sure Mr. Mallory pays for what he's done.”

With newfound resolve, we went to the police station, armed with the evidence we had gathered. Officer Ramirez listened intently as we recounted the events, his expression growing more serious with each revelation.

“This is not what I expected to hear,” he said. “We'll need to gather more evidence, but I assure you, we'll do everything we can to bring Mr. Mallory to justice.”

Weeks later…

The following weeks were a blur of police interviews, legal proceedings, and media scrutiny. The news of the arson and embezzlement had rocked Evergrove, and the community was divided. Some supported Anika, understanding the impossible situation she had been in, while others condemned her for her actions.

Rosario and Lily supported me throughout my ordeal. Justice prevailed; Mr. Mallory faced arson, embezzlement, and blackmail charges. Anika received a reduced sentence and was ordered to pay restitution. The fire destroyed my hospital but ignited my resilience. With Rosario's help, I rebuilt my life and hospital.

A year later…

Amidst the scent of damp earth and jasmine, Rosario held my hand, his eyes reflecting the setting sun. In Evergrove, he found a place that felt like home and someone who saw the good in him. Tears welled up in my eyes as I looked at him, the man who had walked into my life like a storm, only to become my anchor in the chaos. “Rosario,” I whispered, my voice choking with emotion, “you saved me. You helped me rebuild, not just my hospital, but my life.”

He cupped my face in his hands. “We saved each other, Sanova,” he murmured, his eyes searching mine. “And I want to spend the rest of my life proving to you that you were right to trust me.”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. My mouth fell open as he got down on one knee, revealing a stunning princess diamond ring that sparkled in the fading light. “Sanova Park,” he said, his voice filled with love and hope, “will you marry me?”

Time seemed to stand still as I looked at him, my heart overflowing with happiness. “Yes,” I breathed, tears streaming down my face. “ A thousand times yes .”

Rosario slipped the ring onto my finger, and as our lips met in a kiss that sealed our forever, I knew that the shadows of the past had truly been lifted. In the heart of Evergrove, surrounded by the love of our friends, family, and furry companions, we had found our happily ever after.