Prologue
"Ms. Vale, the secretary of the Willowbrook Community Foundation stopped by earlier to give you this." My assistant, Jina, handed me an invitation card as I sat at my desk.
"A gala? Have they held something like this before?" I asked, curiosity lighting up my face. I've been living here for two years, but a charity gala seemed like new territory for Willowbrook.
"Well," Jina began, a subtle smile playing on her lips, "I think now that this town is growing, and with influential people like you part of the community, it's the perfect time to host one. Plus, the proceeds will go to the orphanage you often visit." She looked like one of those housewives loitering outside a breakfast café, all ears and eyes, treating every moment like hot gossip over coffee.
That made sense. I'd probably attend...it was for a cause I cared about.
You're Invited to the Willowbrook Charity Gala
Hosted by: Willowbrook Community Foundation
Date: Friday, March 27, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Venue: Willowbrook Community Hall, 123 Main Street
Join us for an elegant evening of music, fine dining, and community spirit, as we come together to make a difference in the lives of children in need.
Purpose: This gala aims to provide additional healthcare support for kids with cancer and support for McLaren's Orphanage, helping bring hope, care, and brighter futures.
Attire: Cocktail / Semi-Formal
RSVP by March 15, 2026
Email: [email protected]
Let's celebrate generosity, compassion, and the power of community. One heart at a time.
As I read the invitation, a thought struck me. I want to sponsor.
"Jina, please email the organizers and confirm that we'll sponsor. Gold Sponsor should do. Thank you."
"This is no longer just about business promotion," I thought to myself. "This can genuinely help them."
"Copy that, Ms. Vale. I'll update you once it's done," Jina said. I smiled at her, feeling a quiet pride swell inside me.
At that moment, I realized how far I'd come. I was once a hopeless girl, without choice or control, but now I had the ability to shape my life and even make a difference in the lives of others, especially the children at McLaren's Orphanage.
The sound of a shrill voice cut through my thoughts.
"You're a useless piece of shit!" my stepmother screamed. My stepsister stood nearby, grinning like she enjoyed the spectacle.
"I did everything you told me to! What else do you want?" Tears streamed down my face, but for the first time, I spoke back.
"You know how to respond like that now, huh! Know your place. When I tell you to get married, you get married and then step out of this house. You're no longer welcome here!"
"Ms. Vale, are you okay?"
Jina's voice pulled me from the fog of my thoughts. I hadn't realized I'd been staring blankly at my desk until she snapped her fingers gently in front of me. I blinked and forced myself back to the present.
The truth was, all I had ever wanted was to be loved. Yet somewhere along the way, love became the very thing that shattered me. My heart had taken years to mend, stitching itself together slowly and painfully, until there was nothing left but quiet acceptance.
But by the time it healed, it was already too late.
I had tied my life to the wrong man long before I ever met him.
The man who saved me, even if only for a little while.
And those moments we shared felt endless, as if time had decided to pause just for us.
"I'm okay," I said, clearing my throat. "Just thinking about the kids... and everything."
Jina watched me for a moment before nodding.
"Alright, Ms. Vale."
"You can go back to your table."
She gave a small nod and quietly left the office, the door closing softly behind her.
The silence that followed settled heavily around me.
Then his voice surfaced in my memory, clear as if he were standing right behind me.
"Where's my good girl at?"
My chest tightened.
God, how I wished I could hear it again. But I was the one who ran.
I ran far away.
Far enough to finally claim the freedom I thought I needed.
I shook my head, trying to push his memory away, even if only for a moment. Sitting behind my desk suddenly felt suffocating, so I moved to the couch instead, hoping a change of space would help me breathe a little easier.
I opened my email to distract myself and an invitation immediately caught my attention.
A Women's Month Celebration talk.
I stared at the message for a moment, considering it.
Should I accept it? Maybe. I would think about it.
After all, I had worked with many people in the mental health field over the years, so invitations like this were not entirely surprising. Still, it could be a good opportunity to share something meaningful and maybe even promote my podcast on WildyFy, After We Said Goodbye.
It was a project close to my heart. A space where I talked about my life, the lessons love had forced me to learn, and how women should never settle for less than they deserve.
More than anything, I wanted it to be something people could relate to.
A place where broken hearts could feel understood.
A sudden knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts.
"Come in."
The door swung open.
"OMG! Ms. Vale, look at this!"
Jina rushed inside, holding a large bouquet in her arms. Tulips, sunflowers, and white roses were arranged beautifully together, softened by delicate sprigs of baby's breath. It was stunning.
"Who gave that to you? That's lovely," I said, smiling as I looked at her excited face.
"This isn't for me, silly. It's from---"
"Hi." A calm, familiar voice cut her off.
My smile slowly faded as I looked up. Cole Hunter.
He walked into my office as if he belonged there, completely ignoring the fact that he hadn't even bothered to announce himself.
"Here, ma'am. This is for you. Bye!"
Before I could even react, Jina pushed the bouquet into my arms and hurried out of the room.
The door hadn't even fully closed when I muttered under my breath, "Look who came unannounced."
"Look who's ignoring me," he replied casually.
I sighed and placed the bouquet on my desk before gesturing toward the couch. "I told you before, didn't I? The only thing I can offer you is a friendly relationship."
He sat down, watching me with that confident look he always wore.
"Just give me a chance," Cole said smoothly. "Your life would be ten times better with me."
His hand suddenly slid onto my thigh, squeezing it.
Asshole.
"Stop that!" I snapped, quickly removing his hand as I stood and stepped away from him.
"You need to leave now, Cole."
I walked back to my desk, picked up my laptop, and sat down in my ergonomic chair, pretending he was no longer in the room.
"Don't pretend you don't like me, Ms. Vale." Before I could react, he was suddenly right in front of me.
I didn't even notice when he crossed the room.
The next second, his arms were around me, his lips brushing against the side of my neck.
"Cole, stop---"
I tried to push him away, but he barely moved. Instead, he guided me backward until my back hit the wall behind me, trapping me there.
His hands pressed against the wall beside my shoulders, leaving me with nowhere to go.
My heart pounded, more from anger than anything else.
"Let me go."
"I've seen it in your eyes," he whispered. "You like me."
Before I could move, he shifted closer, using his leg to force mine apart.
"Stop imagining things," I hissed, my voice shaking with anger.
"Let me go before everyone finds out what you're doing."
But he only pressed his body closer.
He didn't listen so I lifted my knee sharply and struck him where it would hurt the most. Cole groaned and staggered back.
Without wasting another second, I slammed my hand on the intercom and asked Jina for help.
Her worried voice answered immediately, and moments later the door burst open. Jina rushed in, the security guards right behind her.
"Idiot!" she yelled, hitting Cole repeatedly with the bouquet of flowers she had been holding.
Just minutes ago, she had been admiring those same flowers. Now she was using them as a weapon.
The sight almost made me laugh despite everything.
Seeing how fiercely she stood beside me reminded me why I trusted her so much. Jina wasn't just my assistant. She's one of my trusted girls. Someone I could rely on.
Cole kept apologizing, his voice desperate, but I wasn't listening anymore. The guards held him firmly in place until the police arrived.
He had crossed a line.
And I would never let something like that slide.
The officers asked me several questions about what happened. I gave them the details they needed and handed over the CCTV footage from the office as evidence.
Cole looked remorseful as they spoke to him. Later, he tried to talk to me again, promising he would do anything if I could just forgive him.
He said he wanted to prove that he could change. That he would never do something like that again but some actions couldn't simply be undone with apologies.
Eventually, the officers informed me that he would be required to complete six months of community service. By then, I had already stopped paying attention to the rest of the conversation. I was exhausted.
I drove home, leaving Jina to deal with the mess he had created at the office.
The moment I stepped inside my house, the weight of everything finally crashed over me.
I broke down.
Tears came quietly at first, then all at once. But somewhere in the middle of that silence, another memory surfaced.
Alexander. The thought of him, the warmth of the moments we once shared, wrapped around my aching heart like a fragile comfort.
And for the first time that night, I felt like I could breathe again.
"Hey, princess."
Alexander smiled as he pulled me closer into his arms, looking far too pleased with himself for someone who had just woken up. Then again, I'm sure he had a lovely morning. The scent of freshly cooked breakfast drifted through the room, and just a few steps away from the bed, I could see the tray he had prepared on the table.
And now he was trying to convince me to get up.
"Hi, handsome." I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him down with me instead. Now he was hovering above me, and I loved it. I could feel the warmth of his body, see every detail of his face up close.
He brushed soft kisses across my cheek, my temple, the corner of my lips, before burying his face against my neck.
A shiver ran through me.
"Hmm..." I let out a quiet moan, my fingers sliding into his hair. "I think this is the proper way to say good morning," I whispered, giggling softly into his ear.
"You smell good, princess," he murmured against my skin, his warm breath sending a ticklish heat down my spine.
This man really knew how to drive me crazy.
I ran my fingers through his hair, slowly playing with the soft strands while his hands slipped beneath the hem of my top. His palm found my breast, cupping it possessively, almost like he couldn't get enough of me.
God. I had never felt anything like this before.
Not with my husband. Not with Roman Kade.
"I hate to stop this," he murmured against my skin, his voice low and reluctant, "but I don't want your coffee to get cold. Come here now... good girl."
He rose from the bed and took my hand, helping me stand.
"Thank you for making me coffee," I whispered teasingly, leaning closer to him. "And for making me wet."
Before he could respond, he lifted me effortlessly into his arms, carrying me in a bridal hold toward the small table near the windows of his room.
“You’re making it really hard for me to behave,”he said with a quiet chuckle. "Right now I need to take good care of you first... before that smart little mouth gets you into trouble."
God. Even his terrible choice of words could melt me.
What had this man done to me?
I stayed quiet after that. Because if I answered him, we might never get to eat breakfast.
And I was almost certain we'd end up tangled in his sheets again instead of enjoying the peaceful morning.
Thinking about Alexander and everything we used to share suddenly surfaced again.
It has been almost three years, yet a part of me still aches for him.
After him, I stayed single. Empty in a way I never expected to be. I tried dating, tried meeting new people, tried convincing myself that someone else could take his place. But it never worked.
Most of the time, I already knew after a conversation or a single dinner whether things would go anywhere. And they never did.
Alexander ruined that for me.
Because with him, I realized it was never just about sex.
It was the intimacy.
The way someone touches you like you matter. The way their eyes linger on you like you are the most beautiful thing in the room. The quiet smiles. The laughter. The feeling of safety when you are wrapped in their arms.
The feeling that someone truly has you.
That is what I crave.
Maybe that is what we all crave.
With him, I could be anything I wanted to be. I could be soft, reckless, emotional, honest.
And the truth is... I loved being with him.
Completely. Wildly. Almost foolishly.
Thinking about him still makes warmth spread through my body, a familiar ache that I know will never truly fade. My chest tightens, almost longing for the memory of his touch, even though I know that will never happen again.
I am not really updated with what is happening in his life now, but his name still reaches me from time to time. That is inevitable. Alexander Lucien Voss is a famous man, a powerful business tycoon. Seeing him in the news is hardly surprising.
Once, I saw one of his interviews.
I regretted it immediately.
Seeing his face again hurt more than I expected. It felt like reopening a wound that had only learned how to stay quiet, not how to heal. And somewhere inside me, guilt still lingers. I still feel bad that I left the way I did.
But I had my reasons. Strong ones.
Reasons that keep me from ever returning to the life I once lived.
I suppose I am doing well now. At least on the surface. I have learned to live with the quiet torture inside me, the silent understanding that I will never again be with the person I loved the most.
My time with that handsome menace was the most beautiful borrowed time I have ever been given.
And if life somehow gave me the chance to go back to those moments, I would not change a single thing.
I would still choose him.
I would still love him with my whole heart.
Even if it meant loving him only from the shadows.
I woke up on the right side of the bed and immediately sent Jina a message, telling her that I would be working from home today. I recently accepted an invitation to speak for Women’s Month, and with the event just a few days away, I wanted time to prepare.
After what Cole did to me, I realized so many things.
And I know I'm not the only one who has gone through something like that. So many women experience it every day. Not just me.
"Hi, princess. Look at you... you're doing so well. I'm so proud of you."
Why does his voice keep echoing in my head?
It slips into my thoughts so easily, like my heart still remembers exactly what I need to hear.
I tried to focus, organizing my ideas for the upcoming talk, when my phone suddenly rang. Jina.
I answered right away.
Apparently, there were a few papers that needed my signature, and I also had to meet with a potential business partner later today.
So much for working from home.
With a quiet sigh, I started getting ready. I chose a soft golden-yellow midi dress, the kind that catches the light gently. For some reason, it made me feel like a sunflower today.
Bright. Hopeful.
Choosing to look toward the sun and believe that things will keep getting better.
And at the same time, confident enough to face whatever comes next.
I arrived at a restaurant near my office where Jina was already waiting for me. We decided it would be easier to review the documents there before I approved anything. I also agreed to meet with the Head of Strategic Partnerships from InkLink Systems to discuss their proposal in person.
Jina handed me the folder the moment I sat down, quietly pointing out a few pages that needed my attention.
I had barely finished scanning the first document when someone approached our table.
"Hi, you must be Ms. Vale."
A man stopped beside us and extended his hand politely.
I stood up and shook it. "Fernando Reyes, Head of Strategic Partnerships at InkLink Systems, right?" I said, gesturing for him to take a seat. "I read through your proposal. You mentioned that your system could turn my business into something more advanced... and smarter."
He smiled, clearly pleased that I had read it carefully.
Fernando Reyes looked exactly like someone who belonged in the corporate world. Well put together, confident, and composed. There was an intelligent sharpness in his eyes, softened by a surprisingly warm smile.
The kind of smile that made negotiations feel less like negotiations.
We discussed his proposal with pastries on the table.
The more he explained it, the more I realized how smart the system actually was.
My business is both a café and a bookstore. They are not separate establishments but designed to exist side by side. The café serves as the frontline, welcoming customers the moment they walk in, while the bookstore sits quietly behind it, almost hidden in the most perfect corner of the space.
A place people discover rather than simply enter.
"With the InkLink Card," Fernando explained, "your customers will have their own membership access."
I listened carefully as he continued.
The card could be used for payments in both the café and the bookstore. Customers could simply tap their card when buying coffee or purchasing books. But beyond the payment system, the card also grants access to exclusive areas inside the store.
A members only library section inside the bookstore.
A private reading lounge.
And even a quiet workspace area inside the café for those who prefer working in a comfortable environment.
It sounded less like a simple payment system and more like a small community built around the space.
The best part was the support system InkLink promised.
InkLink Systems would provide the membership card technology, the card scanners, and the integrated payment system for the café. They also guaranteed free maintenance and technical support, which meant I wouldn't have to worry about the complicated side of managing the system.
And of course, there were benefits for the customers too.
Depending on the membership tier they chose, they could receive loyalty rewards, exclusive access to events, and other perks that would make them want to keep coming back.
It was more than a business upgrade.
It was a way to turn my little café and bookstore into something smarter, more personal, and far more engaging for the people who walked through the door.
I couldn't hide my excitement. This partnership could make everything run more smoothly. Faster transactions, controlled access to exclusive areas like the reading lounge, the library section, and the private work pods. It was exactly the kind of upgrade the place needed.
"I'll review the contract first," I told Fernando as we wrapped up the meeting. "Once I'm done, we can schedule another meeting. Probably for the contract signing."
He nodded with a polite smile before leaving.
After that, I decided to stay in the restaurant for a while to finish some work. The quiet hum of conversations blended with the soft music playing through the speakers. It was peaceful, familiar.
I had just taken a bite of my sandwich when a figure passing by the window caught my attention.
For a second, my breath stopped.
That face...
My eyes followed the man as he walked past, but before I could be sure, he turned the corner and disappeared.
"Alexander?" I whispered under my breath.
My heart started racing.
I pushed my chair back so quickly it scraped against the floor, drawing a few curious glances. Ignoring them, I hurried outside, scanning the street, hoping to catch another glimpse of him.
But the sidewalk was already crowded with strangers.
No sign of him.
I stood there, my chest rising and falling as I tried to calm my racing heart.
Maybe I imagined it.
Maybe I just miss him too much.
Lately, he has been everywhere in my thoughts. I keep hearing his voice in my head, remembering the way he used to hold me, the way his touch felt so real it almost tricks my body into believing he's still there.
And now I'm seeing him too?
I let out a quiet breath, shaking my head.
Am I hallucinating now?
Days passed, and my schedule only grew busier.
I officially signed the partnership with InkLink Systems, with Jina standing beside me the entire time for support. Everything went smoothly, and I felt proud knowing I had taken another step toward improving the business.
It felt like real progress.
Not long after that, I found myself sitting in a studio for a local interview, bright lights focused on the small stage as the host introduced the segment.
Gosh! Time is fleeting. It’s already the second Monday of the month.
"As we celebrate National Women's Month, we take a closer look at the evolving roles of women in business, leadership, and even within the family. Today, we are joined by a woman who is helping drive growth in our city's business landscape. And beyond business, she is also part of a broader conversation about women, leadership, and the changing roles in our society."
The host turned toward me with a warm smile.
"Joining us today is Liora Vale Calloway."
"Good afternoon," I said with a polite smile, glancing toward the host before looking at the camera. "First of all, I want to greet everyone who's watching today, and happy National Women's Month to all the amazing women out there. I'm truly grateful to be here and to share this moment with you."
I took a small breath before continuing.
"As a woman who started as an ordinary employee, I understand how difficult it can be to move forward and make your voice heard. Sometimes it feels like you have to work twice as hard just to be seen."
I paused briefly.
"We can't deny that men and women are different. We have different strengths and different capabilities. But I once knew someone who showed me that those differences don't have to divide us. They can actually be something beautiful."
The host leaned forward slightly, listening.
"For example," I said with a soft smile, "we used to go to the gym together. He could lift three hundred pounds like it was nothing. I definitely couldn't do that." A few quiet laughs echoed behind the cameras. "But when we did yoga, I was much more flexible than he was."
I shrugged lightly.
"And neither of us resented the other for it. Instead, we supported each other. We respected what the other person could do. In the end, we lifted each other up."
I looked directly into the camera.
"And I believe that's the kind of partnership we should aim for. Not competition... but support."
"Hey, princess... you're really good at torturing me. Hmm."
I was doing yoga near the patio while he sat in the living room, playing a video game. But of course, he had to come over and bother me, claiming I was torturing him---which I absolutely was not.
"Don't distract me, Lucien... or else."
"Or else what, good girl?"
I kept flowing through my poses, listening to his teasing until I felt his warm breath brush against my ear. Chill ran down my skin, and I could feel him inching closer, his fingers itching to touch me---but not quite daring to.
"I will bite your ass," I said calmly, refusing to break into laughter.
I was in a cat-cow stretch when his hand suddenly slid between my legs.
"I think you're not in the position to bite me, darling," he whispered, still teasing, and I knew the fight was over. I wiped the sweat from my brow and settled on the floor.
"You're a naughty little guy," I said, shaking my head.
"You've seen it, and you know I'm not a naughty little guy," he smirked.
I grabbed my towel and threw it at his face, laughing.
"You're my naughty lil girliepop," he said softly, leaning down to plant a gentle peck on my lips.
God... when I prayed for a man who would be utterly obsessed with me, this was it. And yet... he's months late.
I could feel a crazy thought trying to creep back into my mind, but I shook it away. Not now. I had work to do. Well, the work of inspiring others. I shifted the focus back to business and kept talking.
"In business, we women are thriving," I said, meeting the eyes of the audience. "Many women are now part of executive teams, leading initiatives, and embracing feminism in ways our mothers couldn't have imagined. But at the same time, we've learned to set boundaries. We will never allow anyone to tell us we can't do something simply because we are women."
I let my gaze sweep the room. "Society has given us the chance. All we have to do is prove our worth and hold our ground."
A hand rose from the audience. "Ms. Vale, may I ask a sensitive question?"
I nodded, gesturing for her to speak.
"Recently, you were harassed by... 'we-know-who'. What's your message to young girls, and to all girls out there who have gone through the same thing?"
I took a deep breath. This was the part I needed to say.
"If you've ever experienced what I experienced, I hope you don't blame yourself," I began, my voice steady but soft. "What happened to you says nothing about your worth. It says everything about the person who doesn't know respect, about the person who doesn't understand boundaries. Please... be gentle with yourself. Be kind to yourself. And when you're able, be the girl who protects another girl. Because we all rise stronger when we lift each other up."
The room went quiet for a heartbeat, then applause filled the space.
It was the reminder I needed too...that strength, even in silence, can be shared.
The talk had run for about an hour, and I had enjoyed a lovely conversation with several attendees afterward.
Time truly does fly. It’s already March 27, and the month is almost over.
Now, I am getting ready to attend the Charity Gala. Jina and I had just finished with hair and makeup, and the excitement in the air made my heart beat a little faster.
I was wearing a burgundy knee-length cocktail dress in soft satin, paired with nude strappy heels. Delicate gold jewelry and a matching clutch completed the look, and I draped a light cream shawl over my shoulders for a touch of elegance. It was actually Jina's idea, and she looked stunning herself in classic black, her poise and style never failed to impress me.
"If I were straight, I'd do anything for a woman like you," my stylist teased, laughing as he adjusted the neckline of my dress. "Look at that. Ms. Vale... you're really getting a man tonight."
I laughed along, shaking my head. "Silly. I'm only going there as a sponsor... and for the kids."
I glanced at my reflection in the mirror, taking in the elegant sweep of the dress, the gentle shimmer of the satin, the soft fall of my hair. I wasn't carrying my own chair tonight, but at this moment, I felt truly beautiful and I loved feeling that way.
There are just times when you look at yourself and think, yes... I can own this.
Tonight was one of those times.
About thirty minutes later, Jina and I arrived at the venue. The soft strains of classical music floated through the grand hall, and guests had already begun to mingle. Familiar faces from the business world dotted the crowd, and I couldn't help but notice how effortlessly everyone seemed at ease.
I sipped my champagne after the welcome toast and tried my best to make polite conversation. That's when I noticed him.
A man wearing a mask.
Odd. Was he going to perform with the kids later? But the way he moved, his build... something about him felt unmistakably familiar.
I couldn't stop observing him. And then I realized he was looking at me. Again. And again.
I couldn't blame him.
Before I could overthink it, a voice interrupted my thoughts.
"Hi, Ms. Vale, right? I watched the live stream of your talk, and I have to say you're not just a business-minded person. You're changing lives. You have a beautiful mind, and it's a real pleasure to meet you."
I blinked, slightly startled, then giggled, extending my hand. "Hey... breathe," I said, smiling warmly.
"I'm feeling a little overwhelmed, but I'm so grateful to meet you here. Can I give you a hug?"
She pouted slightly, her eyes hopeful.
"Of course," I said, opening my arms. She stepped in, and we hugged warmly.
"I'm Ynna, by the way," she said, smiling widely.
After that, she started chatting animatedly, telling me about herself while I listened with a smile. But soon, the host signaled the start of the formal program. The chairman of the foundation took the stage and began explaining the cause; providing healthcare support for kids with cancer and supporting McLaren's Orphanage.
One of the mothers of the beneficiaries shared her story. She spoke about how the foundation had helped her child, and at one point, she broke down in tears.
A pang of sadness hit me, and I thought of my mom. Losing her at such a young age had left a hole in my heart. I knew she would have done anything for me. And now... somehow, God has allowed me to be an instrument to help others. I hoped, in some way, my mom was looking down and proud.
After the speeches, we took formal photos, then more casual group selfies with new friends and acquaintances. The room buzzed with warmth and gratitude, and I felt quietly grateful to be part of it.
Later, we sat down for dinner. A live band played softly in the background, filling the room with mellow jazz. I noticed Jina across the hall, seated at another table.
That girl had left me just to talk to a guy.
I smirked and went back to my plate.
I was happy for her, though. I hoped she'd get a date tonight. The guy seemed decent enough but I couldn't help wishing they'd eat here instead. Or maybe she just felt awkward being her usual sweet, bubbly self while I was around... her boss.
And then... my breath caught.
Am I seeing things again?
Please, God, tell me I'm not imagining this.
My eyes are playing tricks on me, aren't they?
And yet... for the first time, I didn't want it to be a trick.
I missed him. I wanted him here, now.
Selfish, maybe. But honest. My heart ached for him, and I didn't care that it was unreasonable. I just wanted him.
"Excuse me," I said softly as I navigated between tables. The kids from the orphanage were bustling nearby, some already taking videos of the event. I wanted to do the same, but my eyes were glued to one spot, desperate to confirm what I'd seen.
And I did.
I really saw him.
But by the time I reached the back of the hall, the man had vanished again, like a shadow slipping through my fingers.
My phone buzzed. A message from Jina: Some people are looking for you.
As if I'd been gone forever.
I scanned the room one last time, hoping... praying... to catch even a glimpse of him. No luck.
I took a deep, steadying breath and tried to comfort myself. It was probably just someone with a similar build. It had been three years. Maybe I was imagining details, filling in memories that weren't real anymore.
"Ms. Vale, the fundraising activity has started," Jina whispered in my ear.
I nodded, though a strange unease had settled in my chest. Maybe it was the champagne. Maybe it was something else.
A live auction was underway, featuring art and crafts made by the children. The room buzzed with excitement, the kind that made you forget, even for a moment, the questions tugging at the edges of your mind.
One painting immediately caught my attention, and I couldn't look away. The bidding quickly climbed, reaching 500,000 PHP. Without a second thought, I raised my paddle and won.
The artwork was simple yet haunting: a little child, eyes filled with hopelessness. The style was a delicate mix of realism and abstract, and I learned the artist was only ten years old. Ten years old. I knew, even from this piece, that he had the potential to create so much more.
While I wasn't an expert in art, something about the painting resonated deeply. It felt like it reached into a corner of my soul, connecting with a part of me I rarely let anyone see. I couldn't explain it, but at that moment, it felt profoundly personal.
"I know you're tired. Did you have fun today?"
He was playing with my hair, the way he always did when I was exhausted. Somehow, just this simple gesture relaxed me completely.
"I had fun, love," I murmured in my sleepy voice.
"Yeah... I'm glad you did. We can do anything you want, you know," he said softly.
I just let out a small moan in response. His hands on my hair, his warmth... it made my eyelids heavy, my body sinking into a delicious, relaxed drowsiness.
The next thing I knew, I was in his bed. He had removed my makeup, and I was wearing his pajamas. They were oversized, swallowing me in the soft fabric, but I couldn't help smiling. They were cute on me.
And then... silence.
Where is he?
My eyes scanned the room, but he wasn't there. The emptiness made the quiet feel deafening, almost unbearable.
"Love?" I whispered, my voice trembling as I walked toward the living room. Still nothing.
"Please... where are you? Don't scare me like this."
Tears pricked my eyes, spilling over as I called his name again, my chest tight with worry.
"Love? Loveee---"
"Ms... Ms?"
A deep, worried male voice jolted me awake. My eyes snapped open, heart hammering.
Dang... I must have fallen asleep.
"Are you okay?"
I froze. That voice... it was him. The man I'd been following earlier.
"I-I'm okay," I stammered, blinking around. The lounge was almost empty now, quieter than before.
"Here." He handed me a neatly folded handkerchief. I hesitated for a moment, then realized my eyes were puffy. I had been crying. My dream... it had felt so real, tangled with memories I couldn't quite separate from my subconscious. I had been thinking about him so much, missing him... and my mind had made the past and dream collide.
"Thanks... I'm really sorry for bothering you," I whispered, reaching to check my things. My heels had rolled a little out of reach. He noticed and bent down to hand them to me.
Before I could even slip them back on, a familiar voice called out.
"Oh my, you've got me worried. Are you okay?"
Jina appeared like a guardian angel, kneeling to help me with my heels and straighten my dress. She was always looking out for me like this, acting like the best friend I didn't even realize I needed in these moments.
"Yeah... I'm okay. He helped me," I told her, careful not to give her the wrong idea about who "he" was.
"I fell asleep and... had a nightmare," I admitted, glancing at my reflection in the glass. My hair was a mess, strands sticking out from where I'd curled into myself.
"Thank you for looking out for her. You are?" the man asked politely, his curiosity soft but cautious.
"I'm Aaron," he said, his voice sounded neutral and not cold, but... nothing I could read.
"I'm Jina, and she's---"
"Nice to meet you, Vale, right?"
He ignored Jina completely and smiled at me. My stomach flipped. What the hell was happening?
We excused ourselves soon after, the photo op began, and I knew I needed to go home. I was exhausted, every muscle in my body aching.
The driver dropped me off first; he would take Jina home afterward.
I wandered onto the bermuda grass outside the gate. It sloped slightly uphill, giving me a perfect view of the city lights twinkling below. I sank onto the cool grass, hugging my knees.
And then the tears came. I had thought I'd moved on but the decision I'd made three years ago still hurt like fresh wounds.
"Didn't I tell you that if you ever needed my shoulder, I'd be there?"
The voice drifted through the night, familiar, impossible. I froze and slowly looked back.
He was there.
No mask. No shadow. Just him.
I wasn't imagining this time. My heart lurched, my breath caught, and the world around me seemed to hold its breath with me.
My chest swelled, and I didn't know what I was supposed to feel. Relief? Joy? Fear? I was happy... but terrified. I had grown used to the emptiness, to the quiet that came with him not being by my side.
"Why don't we get inside and talk?" he said, his voice low and steady. I was frozen, my tears streaming freely down my face. I didn't know if they'd ever stop.
"Please, princess... I've been looking for you. I just wanted to see that lovely smile on your face," he murmured, cupping my cheeks and brushed off my tears as if it had all been yesterday. As if I hadn't left him. As if I hadn't hurt him. As if I were still the person he loved.
Before I could even process it, he scooped me up in a bridal carry. I was overwhelmed, confused about how, why, and when he had arrived but I couldn't deny the fluttering in my chest.
"Daddy's home," he whispered in my ear as we stepped into the house.
"How did you---" I tried to ask, but he cut me off.
"I know how to get inside your heart... and your house. Just like I'll take you again this time."
It was real. I knew it. The proof was in the way he set me down and pressed me against the wall, his presence consuming me.
My mind spun with questions, my heart racing faster than I could think.
"I miss you," he breathed, his lips brushing my temple. "You have no idea... how much I died inside when you left."
He kissed me softly at first, then with a warmth that made my entire body shiver. And then I saw them: his tears, falling freely, his sobs muffled but so painfully real. My heart ached, unable to bear it.
"I... I'm sorry," he whispered through trembling lips.
"No... I'm the one who's sorry. Okay?" He hugged me tighter, pressing his forehead to mine, then kissed my temple with such gentleness that I couldn't hold onto my composure any longer.
All my walls melted away. My chest loosened, my racing thoughts stilled. My heart remembered him, every touch, every look and for the first time in years, I felt a calm wash over me.
"I'm home, Princess," he murmured, his teary eyes locking onto mine. He held me close again, as if making up for every moment we'd lost.
And in that embrace, I finally let myself feel it, all of it...love, longing, relief, and the quiet certainty that this was where I belonged.
He had a thousand questions to answer, a thousand things to explain... but right now, I didn't care. All I wanted was for our hearts to celebrate, for this moment to exist without the weight of the past.
"Welcome home, Daddy," I whispered against his ear, my breath warm. I reached over and turned off the main light. The room softened into shadows, lit only by the familiar glow of the lamppost outside, steady and constant as always.
I let my hands roam across his body, feeling the strength and warmth that had always drawn me in. My gaze lingered on him, memorizing every line, every movement.
"You're really here," I murmured, barely above a whisper.
"There's no running from me anymore," he breathed back, his lips brushing my ear. "Not when my heart already knows where you belong."
The world outside faded, leaving only us, the soft hum of the night, and the undeniable pull between two hearts that had never truly let go.
