Where Fireworks Faded to Embers

The office buzzed with the low murmur of the TV, where the latest buzz was all about Wren Smith's homecoming. Yvan Ellison's eyes were glued to the screen, not even flickering as he took the property transfer papers from my hands and scribbled his signature.That villa out on Ember City's west side, the one no amount of money could buy, meant nothing to Yvan.Just like how I meant nothing to him.As the news anchor signed off, Yvan's mood lifted. He spun the pen in his fingers, a playful grin on his face as he handed the papers back to me. "What's this now? Over sixty houses to your name? You're practically rolling in it, aren't you?"The thrill in his voice was not for me, though. It was all for Wren, who was coming back to town.I just nodded, standing there before him. "I really like that villa, it has a sea view."I kept it to myself that this was the hundredth property he had transferred to me. Yvan had chased after me once upon a time, and I had turned him down 99 times

That 'aunt' I had been calling for the past five years was the perfect cover story, ready and waiting.The fireworks show was not going to stop for me, and soon enough, I was forgotten.However, then, as if on cue, the skies opened up, and it poured.Yvan was quick to react. "Wren's not well, she can't be out in this rain, please step aside."He carefully guided Wren to the safety of the car.There I was, left standing alone as the rain came down hard.The cold should have cut right through me, but it did not.Maybe it was the five years of marriage that had taught me how to weather any storm.…I got home and washed away the chill with a long, hot shower.I stepped into the living room just in time to bump into Yvan.He paused, then, to my surprise, he actually thanked me. "However, I still owe you one for bailing me out earlier."We're... well, we're secretly married. Blowing our cover right there would've been bad for Wren's rep. I'll find a way to go public with our thi

I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. But no, Yvan had stopped his car right there on the highway.He got out of his car, coming my way.He tapped on the taxi window, his mouth moving, but I could not make out the words.The driver looks confused. "Miss, do you want me to roll down the window so you can talk? It's quite risky to chat here on the highway."I shook my head. "No, let's just keep going. Ignore him."Yvan was pounding on the car window, the sound echoing in the air, but I did not even glance his way. The drama did not let up until the cops showed up and hauled him off. That was when I finally snuck a look from behind the safety of the traffic jam, watching him get taken away. I could see the worry etched on his face. 'I gave you your chance, Yvan. You're the one who walked away,' I reminded myself. The traffic cleared up pretty quickly, and I made it to the airport right on schedule. However, when I tried to check in, the airline staff blocked me. "Sor

Right when I scanned my boarding pass and stepped through the gate, he called out, "Lucille, is there really no chance for us?" I did not stop walking. That was the clearest answer I could give him. The flight from Ember City to Cascade City flew by, just three hours. I had never been to Cascade City before. It was chillier than I expected. I checked into the cozy B&B I had booked instead of some fancy hotel. I wanted to feel the pulse of the place. Cascade City did not let me down. The landlady greeted me with a warm smile. "You're later than we thought. Run into some trouble?" I shook my head. "It's all sorted now.""That's reassuring. If you run into any trouble out there, young lady, come straight to me!"I nodded, grateful for the B&B owner's warmth and kindness. She even checked if I had eaten and pointed me to some local eateries with awesome food. I had planned on kicking off a fresh start in Cascade City, but being the new kid on the block, I figured a little fun

"However, then I thought, he's doing all this because you enjoy it, so I brought you here anyway."Marley spilled his thoughts in a rush.I knew he was doing all that for me.Maybe it was love at first sight, or maybe it was our brief chat that night that sparked his interest.However, watching him at the end, so hesitant and unable to meet my gaze, I could not find it in me to blame him.He had not done anything wrong. He was just feeling a bit jealous.After a long battle with himself, Marley finally looked up, his eyes brimming with tears.His face was so kind that even his tears seemed to carry a tender emotion."The one in the bunny costume must be him. You can still catch him if you go now."I fixed my gaze on him, and he started to shake.He urged me to go, trying to sound noble.However, deep down, he did not want me to leave.I shared snippets of my past with Yvan with Marley, and he knew I was someone who had divorced in search of freedom.Yet, he also feared I m