Chapter 14: Meeting her again

Jeremy awakened from a restless night's sleep, his mind consumed by thoughts of Melissa, the captivating woman he had met the previous evening. Her presence lingered in his dreams, replacing his usual nightmares with a sense of warmth. He found himself wondering why she had made such an impression on him.

Seeking solace and clarity, Jeremy made his way to the terrace, hoping the gentle morning breeze and sunlight would help clear his mind.

The day appeared beautiful, but his inner world remained shrouded in darkness. It was too early for a drink to drown his emptiness, so he settled for a cup of coffee instead.

To his surprise, his housemaid Corene had prepared a cup and placed it by his bedside. He took a sip and then fixed his gaze on the painting above his bed—a depiction of a young boy enveloped in darkness, with a glimmer of light shining from within his heart. Jeremy had purchased the painting the night before.

"Reminds me of my childhood," Jeremy thought, savoring his coff