JOURNEY OF LOVE - CHAPTER 18: GOODBYE WITHOUT WARNING

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Chapter 18

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Goodbye Without Warning

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The truth had finally come to light.

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Amara was never responsible for the debt that had haunted her for years.

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She had been deceived.

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Used.

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Manipulated.

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Daniel held her close outside the café.

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"We're going to fix this," he said confidently.

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She rested her head against his shoulder.

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"For the first time in years... I actually believe that."

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Daniel smiled.

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"You don't have to carry this alone anymore."

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---

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The following week was surprisingly peaceful.

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There were no threatening messages.

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No mysterious envelopes.

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No black SUV following them.

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The silence felt almost comforting.

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Too comforting.

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Daniel couldn't explain why, but something about it worried him.

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"Ethan has disappeared," Michael said during lunch.

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"That's exactly what scares me," Daniel replied.

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"People like him don't disappear."

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"They wait."

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---

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Amara also noticed the silence.

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Every morning she checked her phone, expecting another anonymous message.

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Nothing came.

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She wanted to believe everything was finally over.

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But every instinct told her otherwise.

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---

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One Friday evening, Daniel invited Amara to the lake where they had shared so many unforgettable moments.

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The sunset reflected beautifully across the calm water.

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"I missed this place," Amara whispered.

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"So did I."

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Daniel reached into his pocket and removed a small box.

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Amara laughed.

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"Another surprise?"

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"You know me too well."

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Inside the box was a delicate silver bracelet engraved with four words.

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Forever Begins With Trust.

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Tears filled her eyes.

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"It's beautiful."

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"So are you."

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He carefully fastened it around her wrist.

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"It matches the compass."

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She smiled.

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"So now I have two reasons to remember you."

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Daniel gently lifted her chin.

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"You'll never need a reason."

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"I'm not planning on going anywhere."

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---

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At that very moment, several miles away, Ethan stood inside an abandoned warehouse.

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Victor entered carrying a sealed envelope.

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"It's ready."

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Ethan took it.

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Inside was a plane ticket.

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Destination:

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London.

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Departure:

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Tomorrow morning.

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Ethan looked confused.

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"You want me to leave?"

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Victor nodded.

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"For now."

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"What about Amara?"

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Victor smiled.

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"Sometimes the most painful goodbye..."

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"...is the one without explanation."

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Ethan slowly understood.

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"If she believes I've disappeared..."

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"She'll lower her guard."

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Victor nodded.

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"And while she's looking for answers..."

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"We'll finish what we started."

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---

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The next morning, Amara received an unexpected phone call.

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Unknown number.

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She almost ignored it.

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Something made her answer.

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"Hello?"

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Silence.

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Then...

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Ethan's voice.

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"This is goodbye."

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Her heart stopped.

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"What are you talking about?"

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"I'm leaving."

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"Why are you calling me?"

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"I wanted you to hear it from me."

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"Ethan..."

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"I know I've caused you pain."

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She remained silent.

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"But one day..."

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"...you'll understand why."

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Before she could respond...

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The call ended.

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She tried calling back.

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The number no longer existed.

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---

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Confused, Amara immediately called Daniel.

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"I need to see you."

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"What's wrong?"

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"Ethan called."

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Daniel's expression changed.

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"I'm coming."

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---

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An hour later, they met at the café.

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"He said goodbye."

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Daniel frowned.

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"That's strange."

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"He sounded different."

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"What do you mean?"

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"He wasn't angry."

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"He sounded..."

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She searched for the right word.

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"...defeated."

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Daniel remained thoughtful.

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"I don't trust it."

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"Neither do I."

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---

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Later that afternoon, Michael rushed into Daniel's office.

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"You need to see this."

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He handed Daniel his tablet.

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A news article filled the screen.

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Businessman Ethan Cole Missing After Boarding International Flight

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Witnesses claimed Ethan had boarded a flight to London.

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But after landing...

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He vanished.

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Authorities could not locate him.

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Daniel looked at Michael.

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"Does this make sense to you?"

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Michael shook his head.

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"No."

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"It feels staged."

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Daniel agreed.

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Nothing about Ethan's behavior had suggested surrender.

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---

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That evening, Amara stood alone on her apartment balcony.

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The city lights flickered below.

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She replayed Ethan's final words.

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"One day... you'll understand why."

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What did he mean?

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Was he apologizing?

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Threatening her?

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Or trying to protect her from something even worse?

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She didn't know.

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And not knowing frightened her more than the threats ever had.

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---

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Meanwhile...

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Far from the city...

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A private car stopped outside a large estate hidden among dense forests.

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Victor stepped out.

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Moments later, another passenger emerged.

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Ethan.

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Very much alive.

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He looked toward the enormous mansion.

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"So..."

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"It's beginning."

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Victor smiled.

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"No."

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He opened the iron gates.

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"It already has."

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Inside the mansion waited several influential people.

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Business leaders.

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Lawyers.

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Politicians.

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On the wall hung dozens of photographs.

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One photograph stood at the center.

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Daniel.

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Victor pointed toward it.

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"Our next move isn't against Amara."

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Ethan looked surprised.

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"Then who?"

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Victor smiled coldly.

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"We're going after the man who believes love can save everyone."

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---

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Back in the city, Daniel walked Amara home.

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She looked exhausted.

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"What if he's really gone?"

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She asked quietly.

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Daniel stopped walking.

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"I don't know."

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"But whether he's gone..."

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"...or hiding..."

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He gently held her hands.

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"I'll be here."

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She smiled faintly.

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"I know."

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They hugged beneath the streetlights.

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Neither of them noticed a camera hidden inside a nearby parked vehicle.

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Someone quietly took another photograph.

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One more piece in a much larger plan.

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The goodbye had come without warning.

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But it wasn't the end.

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It was only the beginning of a new chapter—one where the enemy was no longer standing in the shadows.

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He was building an army.

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And Daniel had no idea what was coming.

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Quote:

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"Some goodbyes bring peace. Others are only the silence before a greater storm."

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End of Chapter 1862Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbH9m1sYy5

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