The Promise I Forgot

CHAPTER SEVENTY OneThe Promise I ForgotRyan’s POVThe mansion was unusually quiet that afternoon, yet the silence around me did nothing to calm the storm inside my heart. Ever since Gomez admitted the truth, I had been carrying the missing page, the old drawing, and the necklace with me as though I was afraid they might disappear if I let them out of my sight. For years, I believed those things would lead me to the person I had been searching for. Now they had finally done exactly that, yet I found myself wishing I had never needed them at all. If I had simply listened to my heart instead of chasing a broken memory, Scarlett would never have spent so many days believing she was standing behind someone else.I looked down at the drawing once more before folding it carefully and placing it inside the envelope. Every line on the paper felt heavier than before because I finally understood what it represented. It was not only a memory from the past. It was proof that fate had brought Sca

A New Memory

CHAPTER SEVENTY OneA New MemoryScarlett’s POVThe morning sunlight slipped gently through the curtains and settled across my room, filling every corner with a soft golden glow. I opened my eyes slowly and stared at the ceiling for a long moment before sitting up in bed. My heart still felt strangely full after everything that had happened the day before. Even though I had slept through the night, it still felt as though I had only closed my eyes for a few minutes.I reached up and touched the necklace resting around my neck.My fingers traced its familiar shape.I had worn it for as long as I could remember.It had always been a part of me.Yesterday, I learned that it was also a part of Ryan.I still could not believe it.Every time I thought about his words, I felt as though I was living inside a dream.The person Ryan had searched for all those years…Had been me.A soft knock on the door interrupted my thoughts.Before I could answer, the door opened slowly.Ryan stood outside.

Our First Date

CHAPTER SEVENTY Three Our First DateScarlett’s POVThe morning felt different from every other morning I had spent at the mansion. The air seemed lighter, the sunlight looked warmer, and for the first time in a long while, I woke up without a heavy feeling in my chest. Everything that had happened over the past few days still felt unbelievable, but instead of confusion, I felt peace. I had finally learned the truth about my past, and Ryan had finally stopped searching for someone who had been standing beside him all along.After getting dressed, I walked downstairs expecting another quiet breakfast. Instead, I found Ryan waiting in the living room. He was already dressed, but unlike his usual formal clothes, he wore a simple shirt and dark jeans. The relaxed look suited him, and for a moment I simply stood there looking at him.He noticed me and smiled.“You finally woke up.”I folded my arms with a playful smile.“I’ve been awake for a while.”“Then I owe you an apology.”I laughed

The Hidden Heir

CHAPTER SEVENTY Four The Place It All Began Scarlett’s POV The afternoon passed more quickly than I wanted. Ryan and I had spent hours walking through the town, laughing over little things that probably would not have mattered to anyone else. We talked about food, hockey, books, and the strange habits we had noticed about each other over the months. There was no pressure between us anymore. Neither of us was trying to explain the past or fix yesterday. We were simply enjoying today. As we walked back toward the car, I looked up at the sky. The sun had already started moving lower. I thought we were going back to the mansion. Instead, Ryan opened the passenger door for me and smiled. “We’re not done yet.” I looked at him curiously. “We’re not?” He shook his head. “I have one more place I want to show you.” I climbed into the car. “Where are we going?” “You’ll find out.” I laughed softly. “You’re not going to tell me?” “If I tell you now, it won’t b

Meeting The Family

CHAPTER SEVENTY Five Meeting the FamilyScarlett’s POVThe days after everything changed felt strangely peaceful.For so long, my life had been filled with questions that I didn’t have answers to. I wondered where I truly belonged, why certain memories felt incomplete, and why I always felt like there was a part of myself I could not reach.Now, I finally knew.I had been connected to Ryan long before either of us understood it.The little girl from his childhood memory had been me.The necklace I had protected all my life had been part of a promise between us.The past that I thought I had lost had never truly disappeared.It had been waiting.And somehow, the person who helped me find it was the same person who had been searching for me all along.Ryan But even after discovering the truth, things between us did not suddenly become perfect.They became better.We talked more, we laughed more.We stopped being afraid of the silence between us.There were still moments when I woke up

The Truth she kept

CHAPTER SEVENTY-EIGHTThe Truth She KeptRyan’s POVFor the first time in many years, I thought I finally understood my own story.I believed the questions that had followed me since childhood were finally answered. I believed the missing memories, the lost records, and the necklace had all led me to the same place.Scarlett.After everything we had discovered, I thought the hardest part was behind us.I was wrong.The past had a way of opening doors that should have remained closed.A week had passed since we visited my grandmother, and life had finally started to feel normal again. Scarlett and I spent our days together without fear or uncertainty hanging between us. We were no longer trying to figure out where we belonged in each other’s lives because we already knew.She belonged beside me.I belonged beside her.But peace never lasted as long as I wanted it to.That afternoon, I was in my office when I received a message from the front gate.The guard’s voice came through the pho