Chapter Two

SIX YEARS LATER

EVELYN

I watched the clouds through the airplane window as the plane descended, and somehow, my heart skipped a beat.

I was back.

After six years, I was finally back in the city I had once sworn I would never return to.

I slowly turned my head and looked at the little girl sleeping peacefully against my shoulder. Her long black lashes rested against her cheeks, and a few strands of silky black hair had fallen across her face.

"Luna."

I gently brushed the hair away from her forehead.

"We're here, sweetheart."

Her little nose scrunched before she slowly opened her eyes and dark eyes found mine. 

"Really, Mummy?"

"Really." I smiled.

Her sleepy expression disappeared instantly as she sat up and turned to face me

"Yay!"

She threw her tiny hands into the air, making the woman sitting across the aisle smile at her excitement.

"Can we see Aunt Sophie now?"

"Of course we can. She's probably waiting for us already." I laughed, knowing full well my own daughter loved my best friend more than me. How else would I put it when Sophie’s first question is “Where is Luna?” whenever she called?

Not that it bothered me; seeing these two bond made me the happiest and it’s thanks to Sophie that I was able to create my company and work long hours without worrying about Luna and how picky she was,

The plane finally landed, and after collecting our luggage, we made our way through the airport.

The moment I stepped into the arrival hall, nostalgia hit me.

The familiar noise.

The crowds.

The smell of coffee from the little café near the entrance where I used to buy coffee whenever we had work trips.

Everything looked almost exactly the same.

Six years ago, I walked through this very airport with tears streaming down my face in shame and brokenness. But now, I was walking through the same place wearing a tailored cream-colored pantsuit, my long chestnut hair falling in soft waves over one shoulder.

A pair of diamond earrings glittered against my ears, and my heels clicked confidently against the polished floor.

I wasn't the same woman who had left.

Not even close.

"Mummy!"

Luna suddenly tugged on my hand.

I looked down with a smile,

“Yes, my little light?”

"Look! Aunty Sophie!”

I followed her little finger, and true to her words, Sophie stood by the entrance waving at us. Before I could say anything else, Luna let go of my hand and ran.

"Aunt Sophie!"

"Luna!"

Sophie practically screamed before dropping her handbag and rushing toward my daughter. She scooped Luna into her arms and spun her around.

"Oh my God!"

Luna giggled loudly as she held onto Sophie.

"You're now a big girl! Three years since I last saw you, and you’re almost twice as tall.”

Luna wrapped her little arms around Sophie's neck. 

“Yes, I am a big girl now. I’m even in first grade now!”

Sophie showered Luna's cheeks with kisses before finally looking at me, her eyes widening in shock as if she couldn’t believe it was me, and it made my cheeks burn.

"Eve?" She blinked several times, her eyes slightly open.

“Girl, close your mouth.” I laughed, but she could only stare at me. 

"Hi, Soph."

I hugged my best friend, my eyes watering from how much I had missed her.

“You look incredible; I can’t believe this is you.” She whispered in my ear as she held me even tighter. When we pulled apart, she gave me another once-over. “I mean it, damn you look so good and so different.”

“Maybe it’s the new hair colour?” I shrugged. 

“Nope. Your entire aura is so different!”

"Sophie..." I laughed with a shake of my head.

"No, seriously. What happened to my best friend?"

I rolled my eyes, but it seemed she didn’t intend to let go, as she kept telling me how amazed she was and how beautiful I looked all the way to the car. I told her she was crazy, but in truth, I also felt I had changed. I mean, it had been six years, and I now had a very successful business that everyone wanted a piece of, not to forget a daughter I had to protect, so it was only natural that I change, right?

"I hated you for leaving," she whispered as she held the car door open so I could put Luna in the car seat she had already sweetly installed in her car. 

“I know, babe, but you know why I had to.”

"I know. But you’re still not forgiven!” She said with a dramatic flair before turning to Luna.

“My sweet Luna. I got you something.”

Luna’s eyes widened in excitement, but Sophie seemed to be at a lack of words as she watched my daughter’s eyes. I noticed it too, but I didn’t want to talk about it or acknowledge it. 

Ever.

“These eyes-”

“Sophie…” I warned.

“I know. Sorry, they just look different from when she was a baby. They’re darker-” I gave her a look, and Sophie immediately caught herself and forced a smile.

“Anyway…” She quickly reached into the back seat and pulled out a beautifully wrapped box. “This is for my favorite little girl.”

Luna's eyes lit up at the beautifully wrapped pink box.

“For me?”

“For you!” Sophie laughed.

Luna practically wanted to jump off her car seat as she reached for the gift, but before she could tear into it, I gently stopped her.

“What do you say?”

“Thank you, Aunt Sophie.”

“You're welcome, princess.” Sophie helped her open the gift, and the moment Luna saw what was inside, she gasped.

“Ballet shoes!”

She pulled out a pair of tiny pink ballet slippers decorated with little sparkling stones.

“They're beautiful!”

“I remembered you telling me you wanted to learn ballet.”

Luna immediately hugged the shoes against her chest.

“I love them!”

“I’m glad you do.” Sophie kissed the top of her head, and I felt warmth spread through my chest, my anger from a minute ago already melting. 

Sophie had always been like this, and I know she will be such a great mother one day.

Even after she returned to Sanford City after visiting us three years ago, she had never stopped loving my daughter. She had watched Luna grow up through video calls, sent her birthday presents every year, stayed up late whenever Luna was sick, and somehow managed to make herself part of every important moment in her life despite being thousands of miles away.

I didn't know what I would have done without her.

“Okay,” Sophie said as she finally climbed into the driver's seat. But before she could start the car, I reached into my bag and pulled out a carefully wrapped box. The moment I opened it, her eyes widened in shock, her lips parting in disbelief

“No way.” She held the ceramic vase as if she couldn’t believe it, and it made me laugh; Soph and drama were five and six.

“Evelyn…”

“It's just a gift.”

“Just a gift? girl. This is the new Luna & Co. collection!” She placed it on the seat and turned to hug me.

“Oh, I love you! But I love that you’re a CEO even more! I was so sad when I couldn’t get my hands on it. It sold out even faster than your previous collection! Thank you, thank you! Wait till I show off during my stupid family meeting. Those Bit…ehem.” She caught herself and looked briefly in the mirror before squeezing my hand,

 “Thanks, babe! Really!”

“You’re welcome. And no, you can’t go around fighting your sisters, Sophie.”

Sophie waved me off as she carefully placed the ceramic piece back into its box before looking at me with exaggerated pride.

“Do you know how many people would sell their organs for this?”

“Please don't sell your organs.”

“I wouldn't have to. I'm best friends with the woman who designed it.” She grinned. Her dimples were even more visible with that mischievous look of hers.

I shook my head, but I couldn’t help but laugh. I missed this crazy girl.

“You know, if people knew the famous ceramic designer was sitting in this car, we'd probably get rear-ended by paparazzi before we even reached the highway.”

I rolled my eyes, leaning back against the car seat. 

“No one knows I’m the owner of Luna & Co. Have you forgotten?”

“Yes, boss. Whatever you say, boss!”

At this point, I was very convinced my friend was a lunatic. But deciding to take a leap of faith, I decided to let her drive because I was too tired and I hadn’t gotten my licence yet.

She wiggled her eyebrows, a smile spreading on her face,

"Where is this beautiful, ridiculously successful, ridiculously sexy mommy CEO heading first?"

"Straight to the country's top Children's Hospital," I responded, glancing back briefly into the back seat where my daughter was quietly hugging her new ballet slippers. 

"I want Doctor Wilson to examine Luna first. It's been almost four months since her last evaluation, and I need to know whether she's finally eligible for the latest treatment. She loves to dance, Sophie. I'll do everything in my power to get her that cure.”