Chapter 3: Shadows of the Past

THE ONCE empty hall was now filled with vibrant paintings, the air buzzing with excitement as guests admired the children’s artwork. Everything had come together beautifully.

But then the air shifted.

The moment I lifted my gaze toward the entrance, I felt the world tilt beneath my feet.

A familiar figure of a man stepped inside the hall. Broad shoulders, and those fierce ocean-blue eyes—my breath hitched, I composed myself. I had prepared for this moment a thousand times in my head, but now he was here, standing just a few feet away…

Desmond Kyle Velasquez—my son’s father and my ex-husband.

I KEPT my smile steady, my posture firm.

I wasn’t the same Yvonne they once knew—the girl who was too naive, too fragile. I had rebuilt myself from the ruins they left me in, and tonight, I wasn’t going to let their presence affect me.

Desmond’s piercing ocean blue eyes stared at me, and only when a delicate arm of a woman was wrapped around his arm, he looked away. It was her—Samantha.

He looked at me again, unreadable, while Samantha’s gaze followed his, landing directly on me. Her expression shifted from curiosity to pure shock. I almost laughed when I saw how her expression changed as she saw me standing before them.

I ignored it. I had no reason to fear her.

And then, just as quickly, her shock vanished, replace with irritation.

Behind them was Desmond’s mother who stood stiffly, her expression a mixture of irritation and disbelief. It was clear she hadn’t expected to see me here.

I reached them with grace, my voice smooth and unwavering.

“Welcome, Mrs. Velasquez, Mr. Velasquez and Ms. Hudson.”

Samantha was quick to correct me.

“Mrs. Samantha Hudson-Velasquez.” She declared, tightening her grip on Desmond’s arm as if to stake her claim.

I merely nodded, unfazed. But before I could respond, Desmond’s deep voice cut through the air.

“It’s been a while. Where have you been, Yvonne?”

My breath caught for a half second, but I masked it quickly. My fingers curled into my palm as I fought the urge to laugh at him.

Really? This is how he wanted to play it?

So he wanted to pretend that nothing happened?

I was about to respond when I noticed something strange.

Mrs. Velasquez and Samantha both look… rattled. Their faces paled, eyes darting to each other in silent panic.

Mrs. Velasquez in particular looked worried.

Why?

Why would she be concerned about Desmond's question?

Before I could dwell on it, she quickly stepped in.

“She studied abroad.” she said hastily. Then, without waiting for a response, she grabbed Desmond’s arm. “Come on son, I saw Mr. Miller.” Desmond’s eyes looked directly to mine before he turned around and followed his mother.

Studied abroad? Why did she lied?

Mrs. Velasquez's urgency was obvious. She was desperate to get him away from me.

But why?

Why are they acting that way?

What are they hiding?

I barely had time to process it when a sharp voice sliced through my thoughts.

“Are you really this desperate, Yvonne?”

Samantha.

I turned to her slowly arching a brow as she glared at me with obvious disdain.

“Are you stalking us? After all these years you still haven't moved on?” She jabbed a finger towards me, her voice dripping with irritation.

The audacity.

I laughed mockingly .

“Excuse me Ms. Hudson, but are giving yourself far too much credit. You're not worth Stalking.” I said smoothly tilting my head in my mock amusement while her face twisted with anger.

But I wasn't done.

“In fact I should be the one asking you if you moved on, Samantha.”

I took a step closer, I smirked as I watched her instinctively step back.

“Based on how you act, you look—scared. Are you scared that he will realize all your lies and come back running to me?”

With a smirk I leaned in to kiss her cheeks and whispered “Don’t worry, I’m not like you who push herself to somebody else's husband.”

“Enjoy the night, Samantha.” I said turning on my hill and leaving her standing there speechless.

THE MOMENT I stepped outside, I inhaled deeply, trying to steady my racing heart.

Even after all these years they still had the power to unnerve me.

I had prepared for this moment, rehearsed it in my mind a thousand times. And yet facing them again— the people who once made my life miserable— made it hard to breathe.

But more than that… I couldn't shake off the nagging feeling from earlier.

Why did Mrs. Velasquez and Samantha look so nervous?

What are they so afraid of?

Just then a familiar voice called out to me.

“Are you okay? He is here, isn't he?"

I turned to see Nick approaching, slightly out of breath as if he had rushed to find me.

Before I could answer he cupped my face gently between his fingers scanning my expression with concern. I smiled and removed his hand gently on my face. "I'm okay."

“He’s pretending he doesn't know me.” I said, turning away from like as I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. “And it seems like they're afraid of something… but I don't know what.” I look back at Nick expecting reassurance, it’s nothing—but what I saw instead shocked me.

He looked—unsurprised and uneasy. Like them.

As if he knew that this would happen.

A sinking feeling settled in my chest.

“Nick… do you know something about this?" I ask my voice barely above a whisper. I’m angry.

"Why are they acting this way?"

"Is there something that I don’t know about?" Before he could answer, my son happily jumped at me.

“Mommy! I've been looking for you, someone wants to buy our painting.” Yandrich exclaimed, bouncing excitedly on his feet.

I barely had time to react before he grabbed my hand, tugging me towards the exhibit hall. His excitement was contagious, but my heart was pounding for unknown reasons.

I glanced at Nick, who met my gaze with a knowing look and murmured “We'll talk later, I will explain everything.” His reassuring smile did little to ease the growing tension in my chest.

I hope that he is not hiding something from me too, because he’s one of the few people I trust more than anyone in this world.

“Mommy, come on faster.” Yandrich urged, pulling me forward.

I forced a smile, pushing my unease aside. Seeing the joy on my son’s face always had a way of making my worries fade, even just for a moment.

He’s my everything.

After we meet this buyer, we’ll go home. I don’t want him crossing paths with his father. I don’t want him to feel abandoned—especially now that his father has his own family.

“Okay, Okay.” I said letting him drag me along. Nick followed behind us.

“Be a gentleman, young man.” Nick said playfully and held Yandrich’s hands.

“Sorry, mommy.” Yandrich said his voice soft with guilt “It’s okay, baby.” I said and kissed his forehead.

“I was just excited because we have the same eyes. And he said that I looked like him when he was my age.” Yandrich beamed, completely unaware that my body tensed at his words.

He’s not talking about…him, right?

I look at Nick, but he’s not looking at me rather he was looking at the man who's a few feet away from us.

A wave of dread settled in my stomach as my son’s hand slipped from mine.

“There he is.” Yandrich said excitedly, rushing ahead–towards him.

My breath caught my throat.

It was him.

“Desmond…” I barely whispered his name, but even then it felt deafening in my ears.

His sharp blue eyes locked onto mine.

The world around me blurred. Everything else faded.

The only thing I can see is him holding my son—our son in his arms.