Chapter Two

Chapter Two: Five Years Later

The flight landed smoothly and Sarah gently shook her children awake. They had been sleeping through the entire journey, and now they stirred slowly, blinking against the light with drowsy, rumpled faces.

"Mummy, why do we have to come here?" 

Adin asked, rubbing his eyes.

"Because Mummy has some unfinished business to take care of." Sarah smiled and smoothed his hair back.

Aria tugged at her sleeve, her little face forming a familiar pout. "Mummy, are we going to see Daddy here?"

Adin turned to his sister immediately, his drowsiness gone. "Shut up, Aria. Why are you so obsessed with having a dad? Isn't Mum enough for you?" He crossed his arms with the authority of an older brother. "Mum already told you Dad is gone, so stop bothering her."

Sarah’s expression softened as she listened to her son defend her. Five years ago, she had been naïve enough to believe her stepsister when she claimed she knew who the father of her baby was. Not only had Sarah wasted nine months in that house, but she had also lost her third baby and ended up giving birth to twins.

Now, she had no interest in finding out who the man was.

She reached out and gently patted both children. “It’s okay, kids. Now grab your suitcases. Let’s get moving.”

The airport was busy and loud as they made their way through the crowd. Sarah pulled out her phone to call Madam Cassy and was so focused on dialing that she walked straight into something solid.

She stumbled back and looked up.

A tall man in a sleek black suit stood in front of her. His features were strikingly sharp; a straight nose, a firm jaw, and lips pressed into a thin line that suggested he was not particularly impressed with what had just happened.

"I'm sorry." Sarah steadied herself quickly. "I wasn't watching where I was going."

She looked at him again and immediately sensed the cold, unapproachable air surrounding him. She apologized once more to be safe. "I'm really sorry, sir. I was about to make a call and I wasn't paying attention."

Nathan said nothing at first. His sharp eyes moved from the woman in front of him and landed on the small boy standing beside her.

He stared.

The boy's face was striking. Those eyes in particular, they were almost identical to his own son's. The resemblance was unsettling in a way Nathan couldn't immediately explain.

Sarah noticed the direction of his gaze. Without a word she stepped in front of her children, pulling them gently behind her.

Nathan caught the movement and withdrew his eyes. "I apologize. It's nothing." He pushed the thought aside. The only woman he had ever been involved with was Emma, and she had given him a son. Whatever similarity he thought he saw was simply a coincidence not worth pursuing.

Sarah studied the man's face for a moment longer. Something about him tugged at her in a way she couldn't place. "Sir, have we met before? You look somewhat familiar."

Nathan looked at her.

Then he let out a short, cold laugh. "That kind of line is outdated. And frankly, you're not my type." With that, he turned and walked away without a second glance.

Sarah stood there feeling the secondhand embarrassment wash over her from head to toe. Of all the things to say to a complete stranger at an airport, why had she said that?

Aria's small voice broke through her thoughts. "Mummy." She tugged at Sarah's hand and tilted her head thoughtfully. "Did you notice? That uncle looked a lot like Adin."

Before Sarah could respond, Adin cut in sharply. "No he doesn't, Aria. Stop making things up."

Sarah looked between her two children for a brief moment, then gently ushered them forward. "It's okay, kids. Let's hurry up. Grandma Cassy is waiting for us."

Sarah had bought an apartment in Ocean City before coming back, a comfortable three bedroom place just enough for the four of them. After dropping off their luggage and settling in, they headed straight to Madam Cassy's house.

Five years ago, Madam Cassy had opened her door to a woman she didn't know, carrying two newborns in the middle of the night, looking like someone the world had completely broken apart. She had been frightened at first. But she had taken care of them all as if they were her own family. 

After five months she had used her own connections to help Sarah leave the country safely with the children.

All these years they had kept in touch by phone, but now Sarah was back, and she had no intention of leaving Madam Cassy to live alone any longer. 

She had already invited her to move in with them, and Madam Cassy had agreed with more happiness than she tried to show. She was in her seventies but strong and full of life, and the children adored her completely.

It was, as far as everyone was concerned, exactly how things were meant to be.

The next morning Sarah was pulled out of sleep by the sound of her phone ringing. She reached for it without opening her eyes and squinted at the screen.

Sophie.

She answered with a slightly rough voice. "What's going on?"

"Sarah!" Her best friend's voice came through bright and indignant. "You traveled back to your country and didn't even tell me?!"

Sarah's lips curved into a slow, relaxed smile. "I have some things to sort out. I'll be here for a while."

"Oh please." Sophie's tone turned knowing immediately. "If I'm not mistaken, you're there to represent the company for the collaboration with Reed's Corporation, aren't you."

"You're not mistaken," Sarah confirmed simply. "Several companies here have been trying to work with us for some time. The boss wants to expand into the local market so he sent me to assess things properly. We'll be holding a press conference soon to officially announce our entry."

Sophie let out a long, impressed breath. "Sarah, if people find out you're the chief designer behind the international fashion company, every local brand in that country is going to come knocking on your door."

She was right, and they both knew it. Collaborating with an international fashion company meant direct access to the global market, it was the kind of opportunity that could transform a local brand overnight.

 It was no secret that Nathan Reed had made several attempts over the years to secure exactly this kind of partnership, only to be met with polite but firm rejections each time. 

The Reed family had originally built their name in real estate before making an unexpected move into the clothing industry, and in just five years they had grown into the most prominent fashion brand in the country. But their reach stopped at the border, and they knew it.

This time, according to what Sophie had heard through various channels, Nathan Reed was prepared to do whatever it took to secure a deal. She hadn't mentioned this to Sarah yet, it was still unconfirmed.

"That's exactly why my identity needs to stay quiet for now," Sarah said. "I don't want anyone knowing I'm the chief designer before we officially announce who we're partnering with."

"Understood. I'll make sure the team knows." Sophie paused, then added in a lighter voice, "And Sarah? Try not to cause too much trouble while you're back."