My husband has a secret name.

phin

er, detachment was proving elusive. Across the small table sat an empty space, a void that amplified the rhythmic ticking of the grandf

risotto held no appeal when the main course of my evening was a man I'd never met, a stranger chosen by

and deep like aged whiskey, cu

suit that accentuated his broad shoulders, and possessed a sharp, angular face that could have been carved from granite. His dark hair was styled back, revea

omewhat unremarkable, accountant named Mr. Abernathy. This man.

, my voice a little b

is eyes. "Mr. Abernathy sends his apologies. He seems to have been... waylaid. I was told to meet a M

n confusion. "Yes, tha

e extended a hand, his f

league to apologize for his absence. Relief, surprisingly sharp, pricked at me. An a

ng a surprising jolt through me. His skin was cool against

I said, trying to keep my tone neutral. "I

netrate the carefully constructed walls around my heart. "How

posite me. "I believe I was mean

missed connection? This was t

so incredibly sorry. I seem to have taken the wrong table." She glanced at me apologetically. "And

nathy's intended date. And Dr. Damon Blackwood... h

ps. "It seems we've both been

ed warmth that softened his severe features and made my heart do a curi

take, began to excuse herself. "Well, I s

rised even myself. What was I doing? This man was a complete strang

aptive. And the thought of returning to my lonely apartment, the weight

both... unattached for the moment, would you perhaps consider sharing t

mile returned, this time lingering a moment longer. "Ms. Dubois," he said, his voice a

table sat a stranger with eyes like a storm and a name that hadn't been on my list. A d

on, secrets that would soon intertwine with my own life in ways I could never have imagined. My contractua

mon

arranged meeting. My focus remained on the intricate network that required constant vigilance, the chess game where one wr

ssessed a quiet strength, her gaze direct even as a hint of weariness shadowed her eyes. Her elegant dress co

y tongue, a stark contrast to the one et

rl who had shown such unexpected bravery all those years ago. But the vibrant, mischievous light in young Seraphina's eyes was g

voice was soft,

at connection were a source of amusement within certain circles. "Dr. Damon B

of something... familiar through me. She didn't recognize me. Of course not.

selves. The intended meeting was revealed, the accidental nature

med to waver. The woman across from me... she was the key to a past I had never forgotten, a past I had sworn to protect.

word surpr

ng and a little war

we're both... unattached for the moment, would you perhaps consider sharing

ealing the tangled threads of our shared history. The irony was a sharp, almost bitter taste on my to

ps. "Ms. Dubois," I replied, the low rumble in my voice betraying a flicker of

ss from me knew me as a doctor, a respectable stranger. She had no idea that the man she had just agreed to share an evening with