On my 22nd birthday, my uncle found my diary.
The moment he realized I had a crush on him, he shipped me off overseas and dropped millions on a lavish wedding to marry the woman he truly loved.
At the airport, his words were cold and final: “Forget those ridiculous thoughts. For good.”
Years later, I came back, a baby in my arms.
He froze, his voice unsteady. “This… is yours?”
I flashed him a slow smile. “Mm-hmm. Just wrapped up postpartum recovery.”
**Prelude ends**
Sitting on the plane, I still felt like I was dreaming.
Five years. Five years since I was sent away.
I never thought I’d get the chance to come back, especially after Orion told me, “Don’t ever show your face in front of me again.”
And yet, here I was. Because he was the one who bought my ticket back. All for the grand occasion of celebrating his wedding anniversary with Melissa.
After two brutal layovers, I finally landed.
Uma had slept peacefully the entire flight, but the second we stepped off the plane, she whimpered, “Mommy, my feet hurt.”
Hearing her tiny voice, I immediately picked her up and headed for the exit.
At the arrival gate, I turned on my phone, ready to call a cab.
Before I could, my screen lit up with an incoming call.
I stared at the familiar number.
Didn’t answer.
A second call came through almost instantly.
With a sigh, I picked up.
Orion’s voice came through, calm and unreadable. “Are you out of the airport? I sent someone to pick you up.”
His tone was distant. Businesslike. Like we were nothing more than strangers.
I let out a soft laugh. “I can get a cab myself.”
Silence.
He probably hadn’t expected that.
Back then, he took care of everything for me. I never had to worry about trivial things like calling a car.
After a beat, his voice came back, smooth and casual. “Let the assistant take you anyway. I got Melissa a gift in your name. It’s in the trunk. You can bring it when you come for dinner.”
Orion was always meticulous. Always making sure every detail was in place.
Of course, when he spent millions booking the venue and commissioned a rare diamond to create a custom wedding ring for Melissa, it was already obvious just how much he loved her.
I pressed my fingers against my temple and murmured, “Alright.”
Orion didn’t hang up.
Neither did I.
For a long moment, there was only silence between us.
Then, his voice dropped a degree colder. “Yara, I hope five years was enough for you to reflect. If you try anything with Melissa, I won’t let you off easy.”
I froze.
The noise around me, announcements, rolling luggage, people talking, faded to nothing.
So that’s how he saw me.
Before I could respond, the line went dead.
He didn’t need to worry.
I wasn’t here to stir up trouble.
I just wanted to take care of Uma and find a job.
I stepped out of the airport, tightening my hold on my daughter.
The proud, reckless 22-year-old me would have never imagined I’d end up like this.
