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The chatter of passengers around me pulled me out of my tangled memories.
The coolness on my cheeks made me realize–once again–I had been crying over the past.
I quickly wiped away my tears and walked off the plane.}
At the arrival gate, I saw my father waiting for me. His hair was now streaked with silver, and the worry in his eyes made my heart ache. “My daughter… you’ve suffered too much.”
His voice trembled slightly as he embraced me. “It was my fault for not protecting you properly. From now on, I won’t let anyone hurt you again.”
After I told him about everything that had happened, he was furious over Lucas’s betrayal and even more distressed by the pain I had endured.§
At my request, my father helped me settle some matters and arranged for my name to be legally changed.}
Only then did I truly understand what my father had been doing all these years.
He was involved in aircraft manufacturing–no wonder his work was so confidential and tightly controlled.
To my surprise, he also knew Zachary. After learning about my plan to disappear, he quietly supported me behind the scenes.}
He even orchestrated a fake news report about a plane crash.
I finally understood why Zachary asked me to change cars after we drove away that day–it was to support the illusion.
My father settled me in a quiet and secure residence. He hired several professional nannies to care for me and made sure I had everything I needed.
Months passed in peaceful stillness. Then, the moment I’d been waiting for finally arrived.}}
I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl.
I named her Maia Bennett.
My father adored her from the moment he saw her. “She looks just like you did as a baby,” he said, smiling with tearful eyes.
When I looked at my daughter, it felt like a piece of my broken life had been restored.§
Now that he was older and no longer so deeply involved in his work, my father spent most of his time caring for Maia. For our protection, he even hired a full-time bodyguard.}
His name was Nathan Brooks–a quiet, vigilant man who always wore casual clothes and stood close by with a calm but alert demeanor.)
I thought life would continue like this: simple, safe, and finally free of heartache.
But then, one evening, as I was flipping through the television channels, I saw Lucas.
He and Emily had reestablished a new company.
The original company had been completely handed over to Zachary.
When Zachary called to inform me, I simply sighed.
“believe the company will thrive better under your management than under theirs,” I told him.”
I had already decided to let go of everything–the past, Lucas, even the company we once built together.
I no longer wanted any of it.D
Still, curiosity got the better of me, and I watched the press conference Lucas and Emily held.
They stood side by side under the bright lights, the logo of their new company behind them.”
A reporter asked, “Mr. Evans, we heard your previous company was acquired. How did you manage to come back so quickly?”
Lucas smiled and gently took Emily’s hand. “This,” he said, “is the answer.”
The media immediately shifted their focus from business to romance.
“Emily is my wife,” Lucas continued. “She gave birth to our son. I love her deeply.”
Then, after a short pause he added, “But I also have a personal request. I hope the media and everyone watching can help me find someone.”
“Who?” a reporter asked.
Emily tugged lightly on his sleeve, clearly nervous.
But Lucas ignored her gesture and looked directly into the camera.}
“Her name is Zoe… she’s a friend.”
He hesitated briefly before continuing. “I made a mistake and hurt her. She left, angry and heartbroken. I just want to say I’m sorry. If you see this, Zoe, please give me a chance to apologize.“>
His eyes looked sad and heavy with guilt.
Friend? I let out a cold laugh.
So, this was his definition of love? Eating from one plate while longing for another?}
Just then, Maia began to cry in the next room. I quickly got up and went to soothe her.
As I cradled her in my arms and fed her a bottle, I looked down at her peaceful face and smiled softly.
What was I thinking? Hadn’t I already decided to leave the past behind?}
9:00 AM
I shook my head and gently banished the lingering emotions in my chest.
Later that evening, when my father retumed from work, I told him what had happened.
His expression darkened.
“I held back. I let that boy off easy because you asked me not to retaliate. But now he dares to look for you so publicly?“N
He paced with frustration. “He’s probably guessed you faked your death. So, tell me…. are we finally going to do what we planned before?”
I looked at him for a long moment, then nodded.
“Yes. Let’s begin.”
