Chapter 46: Lost in the Labyrinth

Molly braced herself. "What?"

"Leo's brother...is Collin Reeves."

The world seemed to tilt on its axis. The name hit her like a physical blow. Collin Reeves, the man who had vanished without a trace, leaving Cereus shattered.

"Cereus..." Molly whispered, her voice barely a breath.

"I know, Molly. I know." Cereus' voice was filled with empathy. "I'm so sorry you have to find out this way."

Molly felt numb. The revelations of the night had been too much to process. "I need some time, Cereus," she said finally. "I need to figure this out."

"Of course, Molly. I'm here for you, always.

"With that, Molly ended the call. She sank down onto the couch, her mind racing. Leo, Collin, Wusan Conglomerate. The pieces of a puzzle were scattered before her, and she had no idea how to put them together.

The night stretched on, a cold, desolate expanse. As dawn approached, Molly was still sitting on the couch, staring blankly at the wall. Sleep was a distant memory. She was lost in a labyrinth of her own making, and there was no clear path out 

As dawn approached, Molly was still sitting on the couch, staring blankly at the wall. Sleep was a distant memory. She was lost in a labyrinth of her own making, and there was no clear path out.

The weight of the revelation pressed down on Molly like a physical force. Collin Reeves. The name echoed in her mind, a bitter taste on her tongue. She remembered the vibrant, charismatic man Cereus had described, the man who had promised her the world before vanishing into thin air, leaving her heartbroken and alone.

And now, here he was, Leo's brother, the powerful CEO of Wusan Conglomerate. The irony was almost too much to bear. She felt a surge of anger, a burning desire to confront him, to demand answers. But then, a wave of fear washed over her. What if he was dangerous? What if he was still the same man who had shattered Cereus' heart?

The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting long shadows across the room. Molly stood up, her body stiff and aching. She needed to clear her head. A shower, she decided. The cold water might wash away some of the confusion.

As the water cascaded over her, she tried to sort through the chaos in her mind. Leo, with his secrets and vulnerabilities. Cereus, her loyal friend carrying the scars of a broken heart. And Collin, the enigmatic figure lurking in the shadows.

She stepped out of the shower, wrapped herself in a towel, and looked in the mirror. The woman staring back at her was a stranger, her eyes filled with a storm of emotions. She didn't recognize herself.

She dressed quickly, her movements automatic. She needed to get out of the apartment, to clear her head. Maybe a walk would help. As she pulled on her coat, her phone rang. It was Cereus.

"Molly, are you okay?" Cereus asked, her voice filled with concern.

"I'm okay," Molly lied. "

I just need some time."

"I understand," Cereus said softly. "I'm here if you need anything, okay?"

"Thanks, Cereus," Molly replied, her voice barely a whisper.

She ended the call and stepped out into the morning. The fresh air was a welcome contrast to the suffocating atmosphere of her apartment. As she walked, she tried to focus on her surroundings, to find some semblance of normalcy in the chaos within her. But it was impossible. Every thought led back to the night before, to the revelations that had turned her world upside down.

She had no idea where to go or what to do. All she knew was that she couldn't stay in her apartment. She needed to escape, if only for a little while.

Without a plan, she started walking, her feet carrying her forward on autopilot.

Molly wandered aimlessly through the city, the morning sun casting long shadows over the streets. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, each one more painful than the last. She tried to focus on the world around her, but the noise and bustle of the city only seemed to amplify the chaos within her.She passed by a small park and decided to sit on a bench. The tranquility of the park was a stark contrast to the turmoil inside her. She closed her eyes and tried to meditate, to find some inner peace. But her mind was too restless.