Chapter 2

Five years went by.

Seaview, a coastal town.

"Mom, where's my dad? All the other kids at preschool have dads who pick them up. Why don't I?" A little boy in a tiny yellow raincoat tilted his head up at me, his big dark eyes full of confusion.

I crouched down and wiped the raindrops off his cheek, my heart clenching.

This child I'd raised alone for five years was Lucas, my little star.

He looked so much like Edward, especially those eyes. They were identical.

I'd spent countless nights staring at his sleeping face, thinking about that man, and the old ache would still throb in my chest.

But I never regretted my choice.

I gently pinched my son's chubby cheek and looked him straight in the eyes.

"Lucas, your dad was a hero," I said softly. "He sacrificed himself to protect a lot of people."

Lucas blinked, not quite understanding. "What does 'sacrificed' mean?"

I paused, then found a way to explain it. "It means he went to a faraway place and turned into a star in the sky, watching over us."

Lucas looked up at the gray sky, his little face lighting up with awe. "Wow! My dad's so cool!"

Watching his innocent excitement, my feelings were all over the place.

'Edward, you hear that? Your son thinks you're a hero. But to me, you were the biggest storm of my life,' I thought to myself.

Over the past five years, I'd gone from a broke pregnant girl to a well-known interior designer in Seaview.

I thought Lucas and I would live our quiet little life here forever, never crossing paths with Brighton or Edward again.

Then I got the call from Dreamscape Design, one of the top architecture firms in the country.

They'd seen an award-winning project I'd done and wanted me to join a major landmark development they were working on.

The catch was that their project was in Brighton.

My first instinct was to say no.

But the offer was too good to pass up. It came with everything, great schools for Lucas, a huge career leap, and a salary that would take me ten more years to earn on my own.

After hanging up, I watched Lucas intently building with his toys in the living room, and I started to think.

Maybe, for Lucas's future, I should go back.

It's been five years. There's probably no trace of me left in Brighton.

Edward was probably married to his first love by now, living his perfect life.

What difference would it make if I went back? We weren't even in the same world anymore.

So I made up my mind. Lucas and I got on a plane back to Brighton.

I thought it was only a career move.

I had no idea that the moment we landed, fate was already setting its trap.

*****

Our first week back in Brighton was a whirlwind.

There was paperwork, onboarding, and team meetings. I was swamped. Luckily, the company was understanding about me being a single mother and set me up in a nice apartment close to both the office and Lucas's school.

One afternoon, as a lead designer on the project, I had to attend a networking gala to meet the client.

I dropped Lucas off at my friend Nora's place, slipped into a crisp white pantsuit, and put on some light makeup.

The woman in the mirror looked nothing like the shy, uncertain girl from five years ago. Her eyes held confidence and poise.

'You're doing fine, Julia,' I thought to myself. 'You didn't need Edward then, and you don't need him now.'

The gala was held in the ballroom of Brighton's most exclusive hotel, all glittering chandeliers and clinking champagne glasses.

I followed my boss, Director Davis, through the crowd, exchanging pleasantries with business bigwigs.

"Julia, I'll introduce you to the main investor on this project," Director Davis whispered in my ear. "Mr. Foster from Foster Holdings. He's Brighton's biggest deal, but word is he's got a nasty temper, so watch yourself."

Hearing those names, my heart jumped, and my champagne glass nearly slipped from my fingers.

'No way. It couldn't be that coincidental,' I thought.

"Director Davis," I said, clinging to a sliver of hope, "what's this Mr. Foster's first name?"

"Edward Foster. Who else would it be?" She gave me a strange look. "You know him?"

I forced a smile that probably looked more like a grimace. "No. I just heard the name."

'Heard of him? I carried his child for nine months,' I thought.

I lost all interest in the party. I just wanted to make an excuse and bolt.

But of course, fate had other plans.

"Mr. Foster!" someone shouted.

The crowd parted like the Red Sea. Every head turned toward the entrance.

I looked too.

One glance, and my lungs forgot how to work.

Five years hadn't been kind to Edward. It had made him even more devastating.

He wore a perfectly tailored black suit that emphasized his broad shoulders and lean frame. His sharp features looked like they'd been carved by a master sculptor.

But his presence was colder now, more distant. His eyes held a wall that kept everyone at arm's length.

Surrounded by sycophants, he walked through the room as if he owned it, barely acknowledging anyone.

I ducked behind Director Davis, trying to become invisible.

'Don't see me. Please don't see me,' I begged silently.

I must have chanted that a hundred times in my head.

Then, just as he passed by our spot, he stopped dead.

A sharp gaze landed on the top of my head. My body froze solid.

"Julia?" That voice, low, hoarse, and uncertain, came from directly above me.

My blood turned to ice.

I screamed "crap" inside.

Then I slowly looked up and met those dark, unreadable eyes.

His expression was a storm of shock, disbelief, and something else I couldn't name.

"It's really you?" Edward stared at me like he was trying to burn a hole through my face.

The room went quiet. Everyone's eyes darted between us, buzzing with curiosity.

Even Director Davis looked stunned.

I forced myself to stay calm and plastered on my most professional smile. "Mr. Foster. Nice to see you."

I used the most distant, formal greeting I could muster.

Edward's face darkened instantly.

His lips pressed into a thin line, and the fury in his eyes was almost enough to swallow me whole.

"Mr. Foster?" He repeated the words like they were poison. "Julia, you've gotten bold in the last five years."