in her silk robe, hummed a soft tune as she expertly flipped pancakes on the griddle. The scent of maple syrup and sizzling bacon mingled with the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee, a familia

le gracing her lips as Damon and Damiana shuffled in

incredible, as always." He poured himself a mug of coffee, the steam warming his face. Damiana, meanwhile, scr

terior, a flutter of nerves persisted. This seminar wasn't just another corporate event; it was a public declaration of the partnership, a chance to solidi

crisp white shirt and a deep burgundy tie that brought out the warmth in his eyes. "You'll look incredibly distinguished, darling," she'd murmured, smoothing the lapels. For Damiana, a delicate, emerald-green gown, adorned with subtle la

tled comfortably in the back seat, clutched her beloved stuffed doll, Betty, a worn but cherished companion. The sheer scale of the conve

and, navigated them swiftly and discreetly to a row of empty seats near the back. The stage was brightly lit, a massive screen displaying the Logan's Enterprise logo, and Raymond Lo

on Damon's sleeve. "Daddy," she whispered, her lower lip trembling slightly,

rmured, gently disentangling himself from his seat. "I'll go get her. Damiana let's

sure to introduce the heart and soul of Logan's Enterprise, my brilliant and beauti

pplause swept through the audience as a woman, elegant and poised, rose from the front row and glided towards the stage. Her dark h

in her lungs solidified, her chest constricting painfully. Her heart, which moments ago had beaten a steady rhythm of confidence, now hammered against her

t can

lors of the hall fading into a grey haze. Every nerve ending screamed. She couldn't breath

ements jerky and uncoordinated. She pushed past startled attendees, her only thought to escape,

on the cold tap with trembling hands, splashing icy water onto her face, again and again. The chill did little to quell the inferno. Her reflec

and terrifying, clashed violently in her mind: Damon's face, full of love; the news of his disappearance; the agonizing years of grief; the slow, painful process of rebuilding

d? What if seeing Lydia, hearing her voice, triggered something in him? The thought was a dagger to her heart. She couldn't afford Da

swollen, darted around the empty restroom. She had to leave. She had to get Damon and Damia

voice a melodic drone in the background. Catherine spotted her bag on the seat and snatched it, her movements hurried and

ed violently with someone entering the hall. A gasp escaped her l

" a familiar voice exclaimed

Logan. Lydia's hand was outstretched, a gesture of apology, her expression one of mild surprise. Catherine froze, a

rs swung open, and Damon walked in, a beaming Dam

illed with concern, cut through the sudden

ed on Catherine, widened in disbelief as they landed on Damon. Damon, oblivious to the

ossing his face. "What a coincidence! Honey," he turned to Catherine, his smile radiating

but he knew her. The casualness of his tone, the polite pleasantr

nice to meet you, Mrs. Ratela," she said, her voice smooth, professional, but with an underlying tremor that only Catherine co

ely at ease. "It's a

s. Lydia!" she shrieked with delight, launching herself at her new teacher. Lydia, caught of

herine feared, was the final straw. With a surge of desperate energy, Catherine horridly picked

for an explanation, didn't offer one. She simply dragged Damon, who looked utterly bewildered, and a conf

rself. Her knuckles were white on the steering wheel, her jaw clenched, her eyes fixed on the road ahead, seeing nothing but the terrifying specter of the past. They arrived home, the grand house feeling cold and unwel

The seminar had been a success, the accolades flowing freely, but her mind was miles away, replaying the encoun

y amiss. "Lydia, darling," he began gently, reaching across the table to take her hand, "you've

ped and traced a path down her cheek. "He's alive, Raymond," she whisp

used. "Who are you ta

sterday, and then today... he was there. With his wife." Her voice cracked on the last word, the pain of the revelation evident. "He definitely

of a physical blow. The man from Lydia's past. The man who had caused her so much grief. He was here. In Georgia. And he was married. The implications were s