CHAPTER 33

Highway to New Town – Early Morning

Jimmy's eyes were bloodshot from hours of driving. His phone buzzed — it was Edna.

> Edna (on call): "You good?"

> Jimmy: "Yeah, just entering the area. Longest drive of my life."

> Edna: "You're sure she's there?"

> Jimmy: "Mike said the address came straight from their mum before she left. It's my only shot."

> Edna: "Be careful. You know how her people might feel about you, especially now."

> Jimmy: "I just want to see her. I'll take whatever heat comes with it."

> Edna: "Alright, brother. Let me know if you find her."

Jimmy ended the call as he pulled into a quiet compound with a weathered gate and low cream-colored building. He parked, stepped out, walked up to the door…

And knocked.

A few seconds passed before the door opened.

Standing there was a tall, middle-aged man with tired eyes and a heavy presence.

> "Yes? Who are you?" the man asked, eyeing Jimmy's travel bag.

Jimmy cleared his throat.

> "I… I'm looking for someone. Nelly. Nelly Marcus."

The man's expression shifted instantly.

> "And who are you to her?"

Jimmy hesitated. "My name is Jimmy Benson."

There was silence.

Then the man exhaled slowly.

> "So... you're that Jimmy," he muttered.

Jimmy frowned. "I'm sorry?"

The man stepped out fully into the light, folding his arms.

> "I'm her father. Mark Marcus. So you better say exactly what you came here for."

Jimmy blinked, stunned. "Y-You're her...?"

> "Yes. I am. And unless you came to bring more trouble to my doorstep, I suggest you turn back and return to wherever you came from."

> "Sir, please," Jimmy said quickly. "I didn't come for trouble. I came because I need to talk to her. I need to see if she's okay."

Mr. Mark laughed bitterly.

> "You want to see her? After your family ruined her life? After your father locked her up, framed her, and nearly destroyed my home with fake money and false promises?"

Jimmy's eyes dropped. "I didn't know any of that. I swear. But I'm not like my father."

> "Easy to say now that she's not in prison."

> "She saved me, sir. Took a bullet meant for her. And I've been locked away ever since. I came here as soon as I found out where she was."

There was a long pause.

Mr. Mark studied him. Eyes hard.

> "She's not here," he finally said.

Jimmy looked crushed. "She's not…?"

> "She left," Mr. Mark replied, jaw tight. "Ran off again because we're still cleaning up the mess your father made. She doesn't trust anyone anymore — especially people from that cursed house."

Jimmy clenched his fists.

> "Please. If you have any idea where she went… I need to find her."

Mr. Mark took a step forward.

> "Even if I did, what makes you think I'd tell you?"

Tension is high. Jimmy's in enemy territory. Nelly's missing. Mr. Mark has every reason to shut the door in his face.

Jimmy's jaw clenched as he took a breath.

Mr. Mark had already begun to close the door, but Jimmy stepped forward, voice trembling—not with fear, but with desperation.

> "Sir… I know you don't trust me. And honestly, I don't blame you. If I were you, I'd hate me too. But please, let me say this."

Mr. Mark hesitated—just slightly.

Jimmy locked eyes with him.

> "I didn't grow up with your kind of struggle. I didn't have to fight for food, or worry about my school fees. I lived in a mansion, sir. But even with all that… I was empty."

> "Then I met Nelly."

Mr. Mark's hand froze on the doorframe.

> "She didn't care about my name, my clothes, or my father's money. She looked at me like I was just… Jimmy. And for the first time in my life, I wanted to be better—because of her."

> "You think I came here because of guilt? No. I came here because I can't sleep, I can't breathe knowing she thinks I abandoned her."

Jimmy's voice cracked slightly.

> "She was dragged, beaten, humiliated—because she defended me. I owe her my life. I owe her more than words."

There was silence.

Then he added:

> "Please. I'm not asking you to like me. I'm just begging you to let me make things right… or at least try."

Mr. Mark's eyes narrowed slightly… but his expression began to shift. The hard wall cracked just a little.

> "You sound nothing like your father."

Jimmy looked down. "That's the goal, sir."

Mr. Mark sighed heavily and stepped aside.

> "Come in."

>"Thank you sir.

Inside the sitting room, Mr. Mark handed Jimmy a glass of water. The mood was tense but calmer.

> "I'll call her mother," Mr. Mark muttered, already dialing Ada's number. "But don't expect a warm welcome."

Jimmy sat on the edge of the couch, heart pounding, holding his breath as the line rang.

Ada picked up.

> "Hello?"

> "It's me," Mr. Mark said. "You have a visitor. Jimmy Benson."

There was silence on the other end.

> "He says he wants to talk to Nelly."

> "She doesn't want to see anyone from that house," Ada snapped. "Especially him. Please tell him to go back."

> "Ada—"

> "I mean it, Mark. He shouldn't know where she is."

The call ended.

Mr. Mark sighed deeply and turned to Jimmy, shaking his head.

> "She's not ready to let anyone close."

Jimmy lowered his eyes.

> "I understand."

Mr. Mark paused… then walked toward the shelf, grabbed a notepad, and scribbled something down.

He handed it to Jimmy.

> "This isn't her exact address. But it's where Caro lives — outskirts of New Town. She's staying with her. You'll have to figure the rest out yourself."

Jimmy took the note, overwhelmed.

> "Thank you, sir. I don't know how to—"

> "Don't thank me," Mr. Mark cut him off. "Just don't make her cry again. Or I'll finish what your father started."

Jimmy stood quickly, bowing slightly.

> "You won't regret this."

EXT. NEW TOWN – ROAD OUT OF TOWN – LATER

The car engine roared to life.

Jimmy hit the gas, tires screeching lightly as he drove off, heading toward the dusty path that led to the outskirts of New Town, where hope, pain, and love were all waiting to collide again.