Alexander's piercing gaze locked onto Amy, dark and fathomless like the ocean at midnight.

"Amy, this number doesn't belong to Victoria. The sender never identified themselves as her. You have no proof these messages came from Victoria."

Amy's fingers tightened around her phone. "Then who else would know you took Samantha? Victoria arranged to meet me at the café the day after she vanished."

She thrust the screen toward him. "Look at the texts. They specifically mentioned Samantha's location. Do you honestly think Victoria and I are close enough to casually grab coffee together?"

Alexander's expression remained unreadable as he studied her. "Are you absolutely certain it was Victoria you met?"

Amy didn't hesitate. "Positive."

"Fine. I'll have it investigated immediately."

Hours later, Alexander escorted Amy to Victoria's hospital room.

The woman appeared more composed now, but when questioned about the meeting, confusion flickered across her delicate features. "Wasn't it Ms. Sinclair who invited me?"

Amy's breath hitched. "I invited you?"

"Yes. I received a text from you suggesting we meet. You even chose a public café downtown to make me feel safe."

Victoria handed her phone to Alexander. "The message is still here."

Amy leaned in, her pulse quickening. The number matched exactly—both had received identical invitations from the same unknown contact.

A cold realization slithered down her spine. Though she'd been convinced it was Victoria texting her, Alexander was right—the number wasn't hers.

There was no concrete evidence linking Victoria to those messages. Yet their meeting had undeniably happened, confirmed by Alexander's own investigation.

Before Amy could process this, Nathan Prescott—silent until now—finally spoke, his voice rough with defiance.

"I sent those texts. Victoria had nothing to do with it."

Victoria gasped, her wide eyes darting to Nathan. "Nathan, why would you—?"

"Because I couldn't stand watching her torment you!" Nathan's jaw clenched. "Since Victoria returned, Amy has done nothing but make her suffer—pushed her into the lake, landed her in the hospital. Her friends even came here to mock Victoria, driving her to—" His voice cracked. "To that night in the ER..."

"They got off with a slap on the wrist while Victoria nearly died. If Alexander won't hold Amy accountable, then I will." Nathan lifted his chin. "Now you know. Do whatever you want with me."

Tears spilled down Victoria's pale cheeks as she turned to Alexander. "I know what Nathan did was wrong... but he's been my only support through all of this. Please, give him another chance."

Her fragile fingers twisted the hospital blanket. "And Samantha's safe now, isn't she? Can't Ms. Sinclair drop the charges? Without Nathan... I have no one left."

The raw vulnerability in her voice hung heavily in the air.

Alexander's gaze shifted to Amy, unreadable. "Well, Amy? What do you think?"

Amy met his eyes, her voice steady despite the storm inside her.

"Are you seriously asking me to forgive the man who hurt my best friend?"