Chapter 10 – Old Friends, New Alliances

The previous night, May struggled to sleep thinking about all Aiden might be going through.

The airport terminal buzzed with the usual symphony of rolling suitcases, chatter, and announcements echoing overhead. May adjusted the strap of her leather handbag, her heels clicking lightly against the polished floor as she scanned the arrivals board.

Her heart leapt. Today was more than just another day at Stone Global Holdings. Today, her best friend, Sophia, was returning from her medical residency abroad.

Sophia had been gone for three long years, dedicating herself to medicine in a prestigious European hospital. During that time, she had become not just an accomplished doctor, but also a confidante who had seen every layer of May—the grief, the struggles, the triumphs.

And now she was back.

May spotted her immediately. Sophia was all elegance and poise, even at the airport. Her dark hair flowed in soft waves, and her sharp green eyes scanned the crowd as if expecting someone. She carried herself with that rare combination of confidence and warmth that always made people trust her instantly.

“Sophia!” May called, waving her hands.

Sophia’s eyes lit up. She broke into a wide grin, hurrying forward and throwing her arms around May in a tight, affectionate hug.

“May! It’s been way too long!” Sophia laughed, pulling back to look at her friend properly. “You haven’t changed a bit. Still glowing, still elegant, still impossible to ignore.”

May laughed, feeling the familiar warmth of friendship wrap around her. “And you—sophisticated, beautiful, brilliant. I think I need to sit down just looking at you. Three years abroad and you come back radiating like some award-winning heroine.”

Sophia rolled her eyes but smiled. “Flattery first thing at the airport? Really, May.”

“I’m excited to have my partner-in-crime back,” May said seriously, grabbing Sophia’s hand and squeezing it. “And you’ll meet Aiden soon. You’re going to love him… and Aria, of course.”

Sophia’s expression softened. “I can’t wait. I’ve missed that little bundle of energy so much.”

By the time they arrived at the apartment, the children were already in full swing. Aria, oblivious to everything but fun, ran toward Sophia immediately. “Sophia! You’re back! You’re finally back!”

Sophia knelt down to embrace Aria, laughing. “I missed you too, little one! Let me see how much you’ve grown!”

Aiden watched quietly from the corner, shy at first, but something about Sophia’s calm, warm presence made him inch closer. She smiled at him gently. “And you must be Aiden. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Aiden blinked, then nodded silently. May noted the subtle ease Sophia brought him—her voice, her gentle energy, the way she seemed to naturally make children feel safe. It reminded her once again of why Sophia was so important in her life.

That evening, May received a text that would shift the day even further:

David Bluefield: Are you free this evening? I’d like to discuss something with you regarding a patient—professional, nothing more.

May’s pulse quickened slightly. David Bluefield—a name she had only heard in passing before—was a renowned doctor from one of the city’s most powerful families. His reputation was impeccable: intelligence, charm, and influence rolled into one. He was also a close friend of Damien, often collaborating with him on high-profile cases.

She responded quickly, arranging to meet him at a nearby medical seminar he was hosting for young professionals.

The seminar hall was sleek, filled with professionals in crisp white coats, laptops, and notepads. May entered with Sophia by her side, commanding attention without even trying. Heads turned subtly. Whispers rippled through the crowd: Who is she? That elegance…

David noticed her immediately. Tall, composed, with an air of quiet authority, he stepped forward with a polite but confident smile.

“May Austin, I presume?” he said, extending his hand.

May shook it firmly, noting his firm grip and piercing hazel eyes. “Yes. David Bluefield. I’ve heard much about your work,youre not just an expert in the medical field but your talents expands to the business world”

“And I about yours,” he replied smoothly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “The new strategy consultant at Stone Global Holdings. I must say, your reputation precedes you… and it’s accurate.”

May raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Flattery from a Stone is rare. I’m… honored.”

David chuckled lightly. “Flattery? No. Recognition. You’re exceptional, and I intend to see that recognized. Professionally, of course.”

May allowed herself a small smile. “Of course.”

After the seminar, May and Sophia headed to a quieter lounge to catch up.

“I have so much to tell you,” Sophia said, taking a seat and tucking her hair behind her ear. “Europe was… intense. The hours, the cases… but I learned a lot. And now I’m back, ready to make a difference here.”

“You always do,” May said. “And now, with Aiden around, things are going to get… interesting. You’ll see why I’m so protective of him.”

Sophia tilted her head. “I can imagine. Something about the way you talk about him… it’s like he’s not just any child.”

May’s smile faltered slightly. “He’s not. He’s…” She hesitated, then shook her head. “I’ll tell you everything soon. For now, just know he’s… special.”

Sophia nodded knowingly. “I get it. Whatever the situation, we’ll face it together. You, me, Aria… and whoever else.”

May’s heart warmed. She needed Sophia back in her life—not just as a friend, but as an ally.

Meanwhile, Damien had been attending his own event—a high-profile medical charity gala. He arrived in a tailored tuxedo, confident and commanding.

His friend, Dr. David Bluefield, greeted him with a firm handshake.

“Damien. It’s good to see you.”

“You too, David. How’s everything at the hospital?”

“Busy. Never enough hours in the day. But that’s why I called you. There’s a case coming up that might interest you—requires discretion and skill. And I thought… perhaps May Austin could assist.”

Damien’s eyes narrowed slightly. “May Austin?”

David nodded. “Yes. She’s remarkable. Very… capable.”

Damien felt a familiar tension in his chest. “I know who she is. I’ve seen her at the company.”

David’s lips curved into a small smile. “Exactly. That’s why I thought you’d want her involved. Her intellect and intuition could be invaluable.”

Damien remained silent for a moment, his mind racing. May. His son’s caretaker. The consultant at his company. The woman whose presence seemed to unsettle everything inside him.

“Very well,” he said finally. “I’ll speak to her.”

That same night, back at May’s apartment, the children were tucked in and asleep. May and Sophia reviewed Aiden’s case notes quietly, discussing small medical concerns he had mentioned during the sleepover.

“You know,” Sophia said, her voice low, “he’s been through a lot. I can see it in the way he reacts to small things. He’s observant… cautious. But there’s so much intelligence there. You’ve raised him well.”

May nodded, her thoughts drifting. “It’s like he’s… familiar. There’s something about him. I can’t explain it, but I feel like I know him in ways I shouldn’t.”

Sophia tilted her head, sensing the weight in her friend’s words. “You mean… more than just knowing him as a child you care for?”

May hesitated, then nodded slowly. “Yes. Something’s… off. I can’t put my finger on it yet, but… I need to know. For him. For me.”

Sophia reached out, placing a hand over May’s. “We’ll figure it out. Together. You’re not alone in this.”

May exhaled, feeling a sense of relief mixed with apprehension. The pieces were starting to come together—but there were still so many unknowns.

The next morning, Damien unexpectedly arrived at the apartment—under the pretense of picking up Aiden for an urgent family matter.

He stepped inside, and for the first time, May saw the mix of emotions on his face: concern, tension, and something else… longing.

“Good morning,” she said carefully. “Everything okay?”

Damien glanced around, noticing Sophia sitting at the table with coffee and notes. He raised an eyebrow. “I see you’ve met Dr. Sophia?”

“Yes,” May replied. “She’s back from abroad. She’s… helping me keep Aiden comfortable.”

David’s face flickered in Damien’s mind—the man he respected as a colleague, now working indirectly with May through Sophia. The implications were not lost on him.

“I’ll… leave you to it,” Damien said finally, his jaw tightening. But he lingered, eyes meeting May’s briefly, a silent acknowledgment passing between them.

May’s heart skipped. She felt the magnetic pull—the same one from the first day, from the dimly lit room where their lives had once brushed—and she knew that nothing would be simple from here on.