Chapter 4: Isabel’s POV 

The idea of starting a new life in Europe both thrilled and terrified Isabel. It was a dream she’d never even considered possible, but now, with Diego beside her, anything seemed achievable.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, the sweet scent of jasmine filling her lungs as she pictured herself strolling through cobbled streets in a quaint European village, hand in hand with Diego. But then the doubts crept in, like a tendril of smoke in the wind. What if this new life didn’t live up to her dreams?

“Are you sure about this?” Isabel asked, turning to Diego. “Won’t your associates find us eventually?”

Diego smiled, a reassuring glimmer in his eye. “I’ll make sure we disappear completely. We’ll make new identities, start a new life. They won’t find us, I promise.”

Isabel nodded, but the lingering doubt still nagged at her.

“But...how can you be sure?” she asked, her voice quivering with uncertainty.

Diego took her hand and pulled her closer.

“I know people,” he said, his voice firm and reassuring. “I have connections, resources. I won’t let anything happen to us, I promise.”

Isabel searched his face, her heart beating a frantic rhythm in her chest. She wanted to believe him, to trust that this new life was possible, but the fear still lingered.

“How long would we have to stay hidden?” she asked, her mind whirling with questions.

Diego's gaze was unwavering, his conviction in his words clear. “As long as it takes,” he said. “We’ll do whatever it takes to stay safe, to keep you safe.”

Isabel felt her resolve harden, the fear melting away under the heat of his gaze. “Okay,” she said, taking a deep breath. “I’m in.”

A smile spread across Diego's face, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “Good,” he said, pulling her into an embrace.

The following days were a whirlwind of activity as Diego arranged for their departure from Thailand. He made phone calls, forged documents, and gathered the funds they’d need to start their new life.

Isabel watched him in awe, marvelling at the way he seemed to navigate the underworld with such ease. It was clear that this was a world he knew well, but she couldn’t help but wonder what kind of secrets he was hiding from her.

Finally, the day came for their departure. Isabel dressed in her best clothes, her heart pounding in her chest as they made their way to the airport.

As they walked through the terminal, Isabel couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching them. She glanced over her shoulder, scanning the crowd for any sign of trouble, but saw nothing.

“Is everything okay?” Diego asked, noticing the nervousness in her expression.

Isabel shook her head, trying to quell the unease that had taken hold of her.

“I’m fine,” she said, forcing a smile. “Just...nervous, I guess.”

Diego nodded, his eyes softening. “It’s going to be okay,” he said, his voice low and comforting. “We’re in this together.”

Isabel felt her nerves settle a little as they boarded the plane, but as the plane taxied down the runway, she couldn’t help but wonder what awaited them in Europe.

The flight to Europe was uneventful, but Isabel couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. As they made their way through customs in their new country, she couldn’t help but glance around nervously, half expecting to see a familiar face.

But when they arrived at their destination, a small village in the countryside, Isabel couldn’t believe her eyes. The cobblestone streets, quaint shops, and rolling hills seemed like something out of a fairytale.

“This is it,” Diego said, his voice filled with pride. “Our new home.

As they settled into their new life in the village, Isabel began to relax. The locals were friendly, and the pace of life was slower and more peaceful than anything she’d ever experienced. She found herself enjoying the simple pleasures of life: fresh bread from the bakery, strolls through the countryside, and lazy afternoons spent reading in the sun.

But even as she began to feel at home, she couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched. She saw strangers on the street, standing just a little too close, eyes darting around a little too much.

Isabel's unease grew as the weeks passed, and she began to confide in Diego about her suspicions.

“I know it sounds crazy,” she said, her voice low and urgent. “But I feel like someone’s following us.”

Diego’s brow furrowed with concern, his eyes searching her face. “Have you seen anything specific?” he asked.

Isabel shook her head, feeling foolish. “No, it’s just a feeling,” she said.

Diego considered her words carefully, his mind racing with possibilities. He didn't want to alarm Isabel, but he knew that their enemies were resourceful and determined.

“Maybe we should move again,” he suggested, his voice measured. “Just to be safe.”

Isabel nodded, relief washing over her. “Yes,” she said, her voice tight with emotion. “Let’s go.”

Within days, they had packed up their belongings and were on the road once again, heading deeper into the countryside.

They found a small cottage nestled in a valley, surrounded by dense forests and towering mountains. It was isolated, secluded, and seemed like the perfect place to disappear.

As they settled into their new home, Isabel felt her sense of unease gradually fade away. The silence of the mountains, the peace of the forest, it all felt like a balm to her frazzled nerves.

“I think we’re going to like it here,” she said, smiling at Diego.

Diego returned her smile, his own heart lighter than it had been in weeks. “We finally did it,” he said, pulling her into his arms. “We’re finally free.”

Isabel melted into his embrace, feeling a sense of peace wash over her. “Yes,” she said, her voice choked with emotion. “Finally.”

And so they settled into their new life, far from the dangers of their past. They grew vegetables in their garden, explored the countryside, and learned the language of their adopted home.Chapter 4: Isabel’s POV

The idea of starting a new life in Europe both thrilled and terrified Isabel. It was a dream she’d never even considered possible, but now, with Diego beside her, anything seemed achievable.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, the sweet scent of jasmine filling her lungs as she pictured herself strolling through cobbled streets in a quaint European village, hand in hand with Diego. But then the doubts crept in, like a tendril of smoke in the wind. What if this new life didn’t live up to her dreams?

“Are you sure about this?” Isabel asked, turning to Diego. “Won’t your associates find us eventually?”

Diego smiled, a reassuring glimmer in his eye. “I’ll make sure we disappear completely. We’ll make new identities, start a new life. They won’t find us, I promise.”

Isabel nodded, but the lingering doubt still nagged at her.

“But...how can you be sure?” she asked, her voice quivering with uncertainty.

Diego took her hand and pulled her closer.

“I know people,” he said, his voice firm and reassuring. “I have connections, resources. I won’t let anything happen to us, I promise.”

Isabel searched his face, her heart beating a frantic rhythm in her chest. She wanted to believe him, to trust that this new life was possible, but the fear still lingered.

“How long would we have to stay hidden?” she asked, her mind whirling with questions.

Diego's gaze was unwavering, his conviction in his words clear. “As long as it takes,” he said. “We’ll do whatever it takes to stay safe, to keep you safe.”

Isabel felt her resolve harden, the fear melting away under the heat of his gaze. “Okay,” she said, taking a deep breath. “I’m in.”

A smile spread across Diego's face, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “Good,” he said, pulling her into an embrace.

The following days were a whirlwind of activity as Diego arranged for their departure from Thailand. He made phone calls, forged documents, and gathered the funds they’d need to start their new life.

Isabel watched him in awe, marvelling at the way he seemed to navigate the underworld with such ease. It was clear that this was a world he knew well, but she couldn’t help but wonder what kind of secrets he was hiding from her.

Finally, the day came for their departure. Isabel dressed in her best clothes, her heart pounding in her chest as they made their way to the airport.

As they walked through the terminal, Isabel couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching them. She glanced over her shoulder, scanning the crowd for any sign of trouble, but saw nothing.

“Is everything okay?” Diego asked, noticing the nervousness in her expression.

Isabel shook her head, trying to quell the unease that had taken hold of her.

“I’m fine,” she said, forcing a smile. “Just...nervous, I guess.”

Diego nodded, his eyes softening. “It’s going to be okay,” he said, his voice low and comforting. “We’re in this together.”

Isabel felt her nerves settle a little as they boarded the plane, but as the plane taxied down the runway, she couldn’t help but wonder what awaited them in Europe.

The flight to Europe was uneventful, but Isabel couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. As they made their way through customs in their new country, she couldn’t help but glance around nervously, half expecting to see a familiar face.

But when they arrived at their destination, a small village in the countryside, Isabel couldn’t believe her eyes. The cobblestone streets, quaint shops, and rolling hills seemed like something out of a fairytale.

“This is it,” Diego said, his voice filled with pride. “Our new home.

As they settled into their new life in the village, Isabel began to relax. The locals were friendly, and the pace of life was slower and more peaceful than anything she’d ever experienced. She found herself enjoying the simple pleasures of life: fresh bread from the bakery, strolls through the countryside, and lazy afternoons spent reading in the sun.

But even as she began to feel at home, she couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched. She saw strangers on the street, standing just a little too close, eyes darting around a little too much.

Isabel's unease grew as the weeks passed, and she began to confide in Diego about her suspicions.

“I know it sounds crazy,” she said, her voice low and urgent. “But I feel like someone’s following us.”

Diego’s brow furrowed with concern, his eyes searching her face. “Have you seen anything specific?” he asked.

Isabel shook her head, feeling foolish. “No, it’s just a feeling,” she said.

Diego considered her words carefully, his mind racing with possibilities. He didn't want to alarm Isabel, but he knew that their enemies were resourceful and determined.

“Maybe we should move again,” he suggested, his voice measured. “Just to be safe.”

Isabel nodded, relief washing over her. “Yes,” she said, her voice tight with emotion. “Let’s go.”

Within days, they had packed up their belongings and were on the road once again, heading deeper into the countryside.

They found a small cottage nestled in a valley, surrounded by dense forests and towering mountains. It was isolated, secluded, and seemed like the perfect place to disappear.

As they settled into their new home, Isabel felt her sense of unease gradually fade away. The silence of the mountains, the peace of the forest, it all felt like a balm to her frazzled nerves.

“I think we’re going to like it here,” she said, smiling at Diego.

Diego returned her smile, his own heart lighter than it had been in weeks. “We finally did it,” he said, pulling her into his arms. “We’re finally free.”

Isabel melted into his embrace, feeling a sense of peace wash over her. “Yes,” she said, her voice choked with emotion. “Finally.”

And so they settled into their new life, far from the dangers of their past. They grew vegetables in their garden, explored the countryside, and learned the language of their adopted home.