Chapter 2

Five years

Leah’s POV

Five years. That’s how long it took to kill Leah Quinn and become Raven Vale.

Five years of surgeries, speech lessons, sleepless nights, and therapy sessions that never worked.

Five years of learning how to live again.

And it was all thanks to Aiden who helped me.

But that was a story for another day.

The elevator dinged on the 34th floor and the door opened, Cassian's office.

The secretary stood to greet me.

“Good day ma'am , do you have an appointment?”

I nodded. “ I am Raven Vale. His new partner. He scheduled a meeting with me by 10:am.”

She pointed toward the door at the end of the hallway. “He’s expecting you.”

I smiled as I walked towards his office.

I knocked once, then twice.

No answer.

Then finally, a deep voice. “Come in.”

I opened the door and stepped in.

He looked up.

Our eyes met.

And for one fleeting second, I forgot the script. Forgot every rehearsed line, every ounce of calmness I had practiced. He looked different.

“Mr. Wolfe,” I muttered, barely able to compose myself. “I apologize for being late.”

He nodded slowly, standing. “You’re Raven Vale?”

“That’s what the paperwork says.”

We shook hands.

I held his hand just a bit longer than necessary.

I pulled out the chair myself, careful not to let my fingers tremble, and sat down. I crossed my legs slowly, steadying my breath.

My voice wavered, just slightly.

“I… I’ve reviewed your projections,” I said, keeping my gaze on the documents instead of his eyes. “They’re strong. Just a few minor adjustments—like delaying the launch date.”

He didn’t respond at first, rather he just stared at me.

My fingers tightened around the folder in my lap.

“Extra prep time would help tighten some loose ends.”

He leaned back in his chair, still looking at me intently, not in the way men look at women. No—

“Do I look familiar?” I asked, so calmly as if it was just a harmless question.

“ No, why did you ask?”

“ Because you are staring.”

“Oh, sorry” he muttered as he pretended to flip through the papers, nervously.

I looked at his calendar, Feb 14th.

“Does today mean anything to you?”

He blinked.

“What?”

“Does it ring a bell?” I asked as I looked at him intently, trying to see if he remembered.

“No,” he said, voice low. “It doesn't ring a bell, why do you ask?”

I gave a half-smile. “Today is valentine's day and also the day I lost something dear.”

“ Oh “ he nodded as he adjusted his tie with trembling hands. “Can we please talk about the project?”

“Of course,” I said, pretending not to notice how unsettled he looked. “ So you can just look through the document and sign it.”

He nodded.

“So I take it you agree to the terms,” I said, keeping my voice steady, even though my heart was beating so fast.

He reached for the documents. “I’ll have my legal team review it again, but yes. The terms are fair.”

“Good,” I said, relaxing slightly in my seat. I reached for the glass of water beside me, not the wine.

But as I took a sip.

He was studying me again.

“Still staring?” I asked, barely gulping the water down.

He looked away quickly. “You voice reminds me of someone.”

I leaned back in my seat. “Let me guess. Someone you used to know?”

“ My late wife, you sound just like her.”

I froze as I looked at him, the way he said it, left me speechless . I quickly stood up, my composure had a time limit.

“ I will have my assistant schedule something.” I turned to leave in a haste but in the process, I slipped and the strap of my jacket slipped from my shoulder.

He stood up to help me but his eyes landed on the scar.

That scar.

The tiny, heart-shaped one near my collarbone — from his signet ring, the night we made love for the first time. The night he said, “You’ll always be mine.”

My hand moved instinctively, trembling as I pulled the strap back up.

“Are you okay?”

I didn’t answer. Didn’t look back. Just reached for the door.

“Ms. Vale, wait—”

I stopped, slowly turning to face him.

“Yes, Mr. Wolfe?”

He stared at me like he was seeing a ghost.

“The scar…How did you get the scar?” He asked, looking so confused.

" From an accident." I muttered as I walked out.

The second I stepped out of that office, my breath gave out.

I quickly headed to the restroom, not minding the receptionist stare as I slammed the door.

My hands were shaking. My heart beating. My eyes welled up with tears.

This was harder than I thought.

I took a long breath, stared at myself in the mirror.

Raven Vale stared back.

But behind the new name, the new face... i was still Leah Quinn.

Then my phone buzzed.

Text from Aiden: Liam will be landing in 30 minutes.

I looked at the text and I felt a bit relief, maybe seeing Liam could help my sanity. I wiped my tears, fixed my makeup, and walked out.

In less than twenty minutes, I arrived at the airport, I stepped out and waited by the arrivals section, sunglasses on .

I strained my neck, scanning the crowd.

For my son.

Then I saw Cassian.

Why was he here?

I froze, and the only thing I could think about was hiding because seeing him twice in one day is something I didn't prepare for. I hid behind a pillar.

He was facing the terminal, probably waiting for someone.

Then I saw Liam, I waved at him but he was running towards another direction.

“Daddy!” Liam shouted, running towards Cassain

My heart exploded.

No. No, no—

I turned slowly.

My son.

My beautiful, sweet, curious little boy—racing across the airport with his arms wide, straight toward Cassian.

I froze.