Chapter 11: The events unfolded rapidly, with the tension between Aidan and I growing as we moved away from the reception at Osprey Lodge. He led me deeper into the thick, shadowed pine trees, a place that seemed to mirror the confusion I was feeling. It was there that Aidan confronted me about the phone I had taken, a decision I had made out of confusion and desperation. I apologized sincerely, explaining how I felt like I was missing pieces of the puzzle. His expression was serious, and he warned me about “them,” a group that he believed posed a dangerous threat. His words were cryptic, and as he continued to share details, I realized just how deep and dark Hugo’s involvement was, with connections to human trafficking and a history of criminal actions.

Aidan’s paranoia about Hugo’s watchful eye was palpable, his concerns for me growing as he expressed fear about what might happen if we weren’t cautious. Then, he shifted the focus to his mother’s deteriorating mental health, a situation that had spiraled out of control after Dawn Taggart’s visit. Aidan made it clear that therapy was no longer enough, warning me that if the situation wasn’t handled delicately, his mother could find herself in legal trouble. I tried to suggest that she needed proper medical treatment, but Aidan dismissed my concerns, unwilling to confront the severity of the situation. It was evident that his perspective was clouded by the turmoil within his family, and it left me questioning how much more I could trust his judgment.

Feeling frustrated and desperate for answers, my thoughts shifted to Maggie, who seemed entangled in a web of lies and secrets surrounding the wedding. Aidan reassured me that she was safe and that she wouldn’t reveal the dangerous truths surrounding the events, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was being hidden from me. I decided that I couldn’t rely on vague reassurances and needed to confront Maggie directly. With the map of Osprey Cove that I had kept hidden in my pocket, I made the decision to find her, hoping that she held the key to understanding the truth. The night had grown darker, and the woods around me seemed more oppressive with each step I took, but I pressed on, feeling a deep sense of urgency.

After what felt like an eternity, I finally reached the Hummingbird cottage, where the faint light spilling from the windows offered a glimmer of hope. But as I stepped inside, I felt an eerie presence that made my heart race, and I instinctively grabbed a nearby wine bottle for protection. When I pushed open the slightly ajar door, I was confronted with a scene that I couldn’t have prepared for: Maggie in a vulnerable state, with Errol Gardner looming over her. My anger surged, and I acted on instinct, attacking him with a force I didn’t know I had.

The struggle was chaotic, and time seemed to stretch as I tried to overpower Errol, my focus solely on protecting Maggie. As I fought, her scream echoed in the room, fueling my determination to stop whatever was happening. Just as I was on the verge of gaining control, a sudden blow to my head sent me into a daze, and the world around me spun out of control. My last conscious thought was of Hugo rushing into the room, his presence adding yet another layer of confusion to an already chaotic situation. In that moment, I realized that Maggie had seen Hugo, but she said nothing, choosing to remain silent. The darkness closed in around me, and I was left powerless, unsure of what had just happened but knowing that everything was about to change.