Page 42 of The Tourist

"Diego, you're back," she says, her eyes lighting up with relief as a big smile breaks out on her face. “What did Eaton say?”

I rush to her and pull her into my arms. "We’ve found her, Chloe. Serena is in Mexico. I need to leave in two hours."

Her eyes fill with tears of relief and hope. "I can’t believe it’s true. Is there a real chance you’ll find her this time?”

"Yes, no one else knows. We’re keeping her whereabouts secret. Max is already down there, and Felix is meeting me at the airport, but there's something I needed to do first."

She meets my gaze with a look of curiosity. "What is it?"

I take a deep breath, my heart pounding. "Chloe, I love you. I think I’ve loved you from the moment you came here and began fighting for your life. I love your strength and resilience. You’ve become my reason for fighting, and my hope for the future." I get down on one knee and hold out a ring that once belonged to my abuela. It’s the only one I could find in the short amount of time I’ve had available. “Will you marry me?”

She beams with delight as tears start to stream down her cheeks. "I love you too, Diego. You've given me hope when I thought there was none. You've shown me there is still good in the world. Of course, I’ll marry you. I want nothing more than to be your wife and live the rest of my life with you at my side."

I kiss her, our bodies coming together in a passionate embrace. When we finally pull apart, she takes me by the hand and leads me to the sofa.

"There's something I need to show you," she says, her voice trembling with emotion.

She hands me her laptop, and I see an article on the screen.

I begin to read, my heart full of admiration as I take in her words.

Survivor: Finding Hope in the Strangest of Places

By Chloe Benson

In the darkest moments of our lives, it's easy to lose hope. To believe that the world is only filled with pain and suffering. But, sometimes, hope finds us in the strangest of places.

My name is Chloe Benson, and I am a survivor. I was taken, beaten, and sold like a commodity. I was injected with drugs to dull my senses, abused by men who saw me as nothing more than an object, and discarded like trash. In those dark moments, I thought my life was over. The future seemed bleak, and the light at the end of the tunnel was nonexistent. But then, in the midst of my despair, I found hope.

Hope came in the form of a man named Diego. A man who refused to give up on me, who fought to save me when I couldn't fight for myself. He showed me that there is still good in the world and that love and kindness can prevail, even in the darkest of times. He is a symbol of resilience and strength.

When Diego found me, I was a shadow of my former self. The drugs had ravaged my body, and the beatings and abuse had left me with scars that I thought would never heal. I was weak, both physically and mentally. But he saw something in me that I couldn't see in myself. He saw a fighter. He taught me to reclaim my life, to find strength in my pain. He became my rock, my anchor, and my hope. And through him, I found the will to survive.

Diego didn't just save me from my captors. He saved me from myself. He taught me to stand tall, to face my fears head-on, and to never give up. His support has been unwavering, and his love has been the guiding light that has led me out of the shadows.

My story is not just about the horrors I faced. It's about the power of human connection. It's about the importance of having someone who believes in you, even when you don't believe in yourself. It's about finding hope in the most unexpected places.

I remember the first time I was aware of Diego’s presence after he rescued me. I was in bed, weak and disoriented. But there he was, sitting by my side, holding my hand. He promised me that he would never let anything happen to me again. His eyes were filled with compassion and honesty, and I believed him. From that moment on, I knew that I could trust him with my life.

As I began my journey to recovery, Diego was there with me every step of the way. He helped me navigate the physical and emotional challenges that came with healing. He encouraged me to confront my fears and take back control of my life. Slowly but surely, I began to find that light at the end of the tunnel.

Diego taught me that it's okay to be vulnerable, and that it's okay to ask for help. He showed me that true strength comes from within, and he made me realize that reaching out for support is one of the bravest things anyone can do. His love and kindness have been beacons of hope in my darkest days.

To those of you who are struggling, who feel lost and broken, please reach out for help. There are people out there who care and want to see you thrive. You are stronger than you think. You have the power to overcome whatever challenges you are facing. There is always hope, even in the most unexpected of places.

In sharing my story, I hope to inspire others to find their own strength and to never give up. I want to remind you that there is always hope, no matter how bleak things may seem, and sometimes that hope comes in the form of a person who believes in you, even when you can't believe in yourself, and refuses to let you go.

Diego is my hero, but he is also a reminder that we all have the capacity to be heroes in someone else's life. We all have the power to make a difference, to offer a helping hand, and to be a source of hope for someone in need.

If you are reading this and in a dark place, I want you to know that you are not alone. There is always hope, and it can be found in the strangest of places. Hold on to that hope, and let it guide you out of the darkness.

I finish reading, tears in my eyes. "Chloe, it’s beautiful. You’re incredible."

"I wrote it for you, Diego. To show you how much you mean to me. To show you that I’m not just a victim. I’m a survivor, and it’s because of you."

I pull her into my arms, kissing her deeply. "I love you. More than words can ever express."

"I love you too," she whispers against my lips.

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