The City She Swore To Forget

Elena’s pulse raced as she guided Ethan and Liam through the crowded airport exit.

Her grip around their hands tightened unconsciously while her eyes kept drifting over her shoulder every few steps. Even after leaving the terminal behind, the uneasy feeling inside her refused to disappear.

Had Adrian recognized her?

Had he noticed the boys?

The questions circled endlessly inside her head, making it difficult to breathe properly.

“Mom,” Ethan asked carefully while looking up at her, “why do you keep looking back?”

His green eyes were filled with concern.

“Yeah,” Liam added while tugging lightly at her sleeve. “Is somebody following us?”

Elena immediately forced a calm smile onto her face even though her heartbeat still refused to settle.

“No, sweetheart,” she assured gently. “Everything’s fine. Mommy is just being careful.”

The twins exchanged uncertain looks but thankfully did not push the issue any further. Instead, they stayed close beside her while she led them toward the parking area outside the airport.

“Elena! Ethan! Liam!”

A bright familiar voice suddenly cut through the noise surrounding them.

Elena turned quickly toward the sound, and some of the tension in her chest eased almost immediately.

“Samantha.”

Samantha Blake stood several feet away waving excitedly at them. Dressed in a fitted navy suit with her long hair falling neatly over one shoulder, she looked exactly the same as Elena remembered: confident, elegant, and dependable.

The moment Samantha reached them, she pulled Elena into a tight hug.

“You’re finally here,” Samantha said excitedly. “Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for this?”

Elena laughed softly, feeling genuine warmth spread through her chest for the first time since landing in Althea.

“I missed you too.”

Samantha finally pulled away before shifting her attention toward the two boys standing nearby.

“And these must be Ethan and Liam,” she said warmly while crouching slightly to meet their eye level.

The twins smiled shyly.

“Hi, Aunt Samantha,” Ethan greeted politely.

Liam studied her seriously for a second before speaking.

“You look like a movie star.”

Samantha blinked once before laughing loudly.

“Well, aren’t you adorable?”

Liam nodded confidently as if he had simply stated an obvious fact.

Samantha smiled affectionately before glancing back toward Elena.

“You seriously made children this cute?”

Elena shook her head helplessly.

“They know exactly how to manipulate people.”

“That sounds like intelligence to me,” Ethan replied calmly.

Samantha laughed again while ruffling his hair gently.

Despite the warmth of the reunion, Elena still found herself glancing instinctively toward the airport entrance.

The fear sitting inside her chest had not completely faded.

Samantha noticed the movement immediately, and her smile softened slightly.

“What’s wrong?” she asked quietly.

Elena hesitated briefly before shaking her head.

“Nothing,” she answered softly. “I just want to leave first.”

Samantha studied her expression for another moment but chose not to ask further questions.

“Alright,” she agreed gently. “Let’s go home.”

She led them toward a sleek black SUV parked nearby.

After loading the luggage into the trunk, they climbed inside the vehicle and quickly pulled away from the airport.

Only after the building disappeared behind them did Elena finally allow herself to breathe a little easier.

Still, she could not shake the uncomfortable feeling that something had changed the moment Adrian saw her.

Back at the terminal entrance, Adrian stood near the curb with one hand resting inside his pocket while his sharp gaze remained fixed on the line of departing vehicles.

His expression was cold enough to make the surrounding staff nervous.

Beside him, Harris stood quietly holding a tablet.

“Cancel all my meetings this week,” Adrian said suddenly.

Harris blinked once in surprise before immediately nodding.

“Understood, Mr. Lancaster.”

He hesitated briefly before speaking again.

“And regarding Mrs. Lancaster?”

Adrian’s expression darkened instantly at the mention of Elena.

“Expand the search,” he ordered coldly. “She couldn’t have disappeared without leaving something behind.”

Harris nodded immediately.

“We’ll track every possible lead.”

Adrian’s gaze remained fixed on the road ahead while something restless settled heavily inside his chest.

For six years, Elena had vanished completely.

No contact.

No trace.

Nothing.

And yet moments ago, he could have sworn he saw her.

The possibility alone disturbed him far more than he cared to admit.

“I want her found,” Adrian said quietly, his voice turning even colder. “No matter what it takes.”

An hour later, Samantha’s SUV turned into a quiet cul-de-sac surrounded by elegant homes and neatly trimmed hedges.

The peaceful atmosphere felt completely removed from the noise and pressure of the city.

“This is it,” Samantha announced while parking in front of a charming two-story house. “Your new place.”

Elena stepped out slowly before lifting her gaze toward the house.

Soft cream walls, wide windows, and warm sunlight spilling across the front porch gave the place an inviting atmosphere that immediately made her chest loosen slightly.

“It’s beautiful,” she admitted quietly.

Samantha smiled proudly.

“I knew you’d love it. The owner moved abroad recently and needed someone trustworthy to maintain the place. Besides, I’m right next door, so you won’t have to handle everything alone.”

Gratitude tightened Elena’s chest.

“Thank you, Sam. Really.”

Samantha squeezed her hand gently.

“You would’ve done the same for me.”

Inside, the house felt even warmer.

The polished wooden floors reflected soft sunlight while the faint scent of fresh flowers lingered in the air. Everything about the place felt peaceful in a way Elena had not experienced in years.

The boys immediately rushed upstairs.

“Mom!” Ethan shouted excitedly from the second floor. “There’s a room with bunk beds!”

“Can we sleep there tonight?” Liam called out loudly.

Elena smiled despite herself.

“Of course you can.”

Their excited laughter echoed throughout the house while Elena unpacked some essentials downstairs with Samantha’s help.

For a brief moment, everything almost felt normal.

It made Elena wonder if maybe returning to Althea would not completely destroy the peaceful life she had spent years rebuilding.

After they finished unpacking, Samantha suggested getting dinner nearby.

The twins agreed immediately.

Twenty minutes later, they pulled into the parking lot of a small restaurant near the neighborhood.

Then everything happened at once.

A small figure suddenly darted across the parking lot directly in front of the SUV.

“Watch out!” Elena gasped.

Samantha slammed hard on the brakes.

The vehicle jerked violently before stopping only inches away from the child.

Elena’s heart nearly stopped.

She pushed the door open immediately and rushed outside.

A little girl sat frozen on the ground trembling uncontrollably.

Dark curls framed her tear-streaked face while her tiny hands clutched a worn teddy bear tightly against her chest.

She looked no older than five.

“Hey,” Elena said softly while kneeling beside her. “Are you hurt?”

The little girl flinched immediately.

Fear filled her wide eyes so intensely that Elena’s chest tightened painfully at the sight.

“It’s okay,” Elena assured gently. “You’re safe now.”

Samantha joined them quickly while checking the child carefully for injuries.

“Are you hurt anywhere?” she asked softly.

The little girl shook her head, but her body continued trembling badly.

“Where are your parents?” Elena asked carefully. “Are you lost?”

The child’s lips quivered slightly, but no words came out.

Inside the car, Ethan and Liam leaned forward curiously.

“She looks scared,” Ethan whispered quietly.

“Really scared,” Liam added.

Elena slowly extended her hand toward the little girl, careful not to frighten her further.

“My name is Elena,” she said gently. “What’s your name?”

The little girl hesitated for several long seconds before finally whispering softly,

“Sophia.”

Elena felt her heart tighten immediately at the fragile sound of her voice.

“That’s a beautiful name,” she said warmly. “Can you tell me where your parents are?”

Sophia lowered her head while clutching the teddy bear even tighter.

Samantha glanced around the nearly empty parking lot, concern growing visibly across her face.

“She might’ve been abandoned,” she said quietly.

Elena’s stomach twisted painfully at the thought.

“We can’t leave her here,” she said immediately.

Samantha nodded without hesitation.

“Then let’s take her inside first and figure things out from there.”

Carefully, Elena reached for Sophia’s hand.

This time, the little girl allowed it.

Together, they walked slowly into the restaurant.

As they settled at the table, Elena found herself glancing repeatedly toward Sophia sitting quietly beside her.

Something about the child tugged painfully at her heart.

Who was she?

Why was she alone?

And why did Elena suddenly feel like meeting this little girl was about to change everything?

Elena looked toward Samantha quietly before speaking in a low voice.

“Whatever happens, we’re protecting her.”

Samantha smiled slightly as though she had expected that answer from the very beginning.

For the first time since returning to Althea, Elena felt a fragile sense of hope forming quietly inside her chest.