Travis

"Any news yet?" Nathan's voice drifts from the other side of the phone, "Have you heard from...?"

I shrug, swirling the wine in my glass. "Not yet."

"But it's been years, Travis," Nathan says. "You don't even remember her face. Or her name."

"But I remember how I felt," I murmur. A sad smile creeping onto my lips. "That night was the only time I've felt that way with another except Serena."

Nathan sighs. "Who chases an unknown shadow for five years?"

"A man who has nothing else that makes sense." I answer with a lower voice now.

He softens, his tone calmer. "There are still good women out there. Women who'd treat you better, if..."

"If I just let go?" I cut in, a bitter chuckle slipping through. "I already did that once. You saw how it ended."

He fell silent for a moment. "Serena betrayed you, yes I'm aware. But not every woman is like her."

My grip on the glass tightens. The pain is still there, buried under ambition and denial. "I know. But I can't fake closure."

Nathan groans lightly. "You don't even know this girl. One night in a hotel room and she's tattooed on your soul?"

"You weren't there," I whisper. "She didn't even ask for anything. She just...left even though I was an inch away. Her blur still etches in my mind."

"And you think she's out there waiting for you? You think she'd accept you now even if you find her and explain your feelings?"

"No." I admit. "But I'm not searching for her to reclaim that night. I'm just...hoping she's okay."

"You're a romantic fool, you know that?"

I chuckle. "Hope has kept me sane, Nathan."

"Then good luck to you and your mysterious stranger," he says with a sigh. "I'll let you. Safe drive to Emberville."

"Thanks."

The line clicks off.

I exhale slowly and drop my phone, then swallow the last of my wine, and close my eyes briefly, before sinking deeper into the lounge chair.

Everyone says I need to move on, but how do I move from something that never had a name, yet it carved itself into my chest like truth?

Grabbing my keys, I walk down to the garage. I get into my Porsche Cayenne and pull onto the busy road to Emberville town for a routine site inspection.

...

A few hours later...

I'm done with what I came for and heading back home.

The road fills with people rushing from work. The sound of horns and revving engine slaps the air.

But just then I notice something in my side mirror, a black SUV with tinted windows.

With ease, It drives through the traffic and follows me closely as I approach the intersection of Main and Elm.

At first, I think I'm being paranoid... but the car sticks to me, mimicking every turning I make.

"Hello..." I speak into the phone, my voice tight. "Track my car and get me the information of the person tailing me."

"Yes boss," the voice replies immediately.

I hang up and make a sharp U-turn, hoping to lose whoever it is.

But that's when it happens.

The SUV catches up with me. It hits my car from behind and I lose control.

My car swerves fast, running out of lane. I slam the breaks, heart in my throat.

But it is too late then.

It hit a small school boy.

The thud is sickening, his small frame crumples on the impact.

My head jerks forward from the sudden stop and hits the steering wheel. A sharp pain splits through my skull, and blood begins to trickle down my face, blurring my vision.

The SUV then speeds past like smoke without any further hesitation.

In seconds, a small crowd gathers, drawn by the sound of screeching tires and shouting voices.

I open my car door and stumble out with blood dripping down my face.

Everything spins.

And then my eyes fell on her, broken. Confusion dribbles me for a second.

Her scream cuts through the noise with ease.

"Liam! My baby!" She shouts, running forward, and pushing people aside.

I freeze.

Panic surging up in my nerves.

"Someone call 911," a voice shouts from somewhere behind me.

My legs grow heavy, barely holding me upright as I stumble toward the body on the ground.

Blood drips from my forehead, clouding my vision.

I didn't mean for this to happen.

Forcing my sight to clear, I blink hard and that's when I see him clearly.

He lay still on the wet ground, a man kneeling beside him, compressing his chest, trying to breathe life back into him.

No...

My heart pounds in fear. Threatening to erupt from my ribcage.

Then, as if remembering I exist, she snaps her head up and her gaze fixes on me in anger.

She staggers to her feet and grabs the front of my shirt, with trembling hands.

"He's all I've got left in this world," she beats my chest weakly over and over, her tears shattering something inside me. "Why would you take him from me? Why?!"

"I didn't see him I swear, I didn't..." my voice cracks. "There was a car...someone was chasing me. I didn't mean..."

But my words sound very unnecessary.

"The ambulance is here!" a voice calls.

Red lights flashes and the wail of the siren grows louder. A paramedic team rushes in with a stretcher.

She lets go of me, as if drain of all strength, and turns back to her son.

The medics place the boy gently on the stretcher. His arms flop loosely. No response

"We'll perform CPR in transit. Possibly intubation if need be," one of them says, almost mechanically. " Due to space, we cannot permit an extra passenger."

The woman stands abruptly. "No. No, I'm coming with him."

"I'm sorry, ma'am," the paramedic replies. Wheeling the boy into the ambulance, and slams the doors shut. "We need room to work."

"You'll drive me." she turns and says as she comes facing me, her eyes full of desperation.

I nod without saying a word. There's nothing to say. I don't even know how I'm still standing.

We both get into my car.

The ambulance speeds off ahead of us, wailing its siren like a scream.

She sits beside me sobbing with a breaking breath, clenching the edge of the seat shakingly.

I wonder, what if I've just destroyed the only good thing left in her life?

Guilt twists my stomach.

The boy's frame flashes in my mind like a punch. I don't care about the car that tailed me."

Right now, I can only hope I haven't just killed someone's son.

Elodie

"God, Please..." I whisper shakily. "Don't take him from me."

I glance sideways at the man behind the wheel.

The idiot who hit my son.

His face remains pale, and there's blood near his temple. He holds tightly to the steering wheel.

But it doesn't move me at all.

I press my trembling hands in my chest, trying to steady the storm.

This is his fault, his exact act of recklessness.

And now I'm back to this city, this one place I swore I'd never set my foot in again.

I can't run into Mason. I can't run into his wife.

They must never find out about Liam.

Not now. Not ever.

To them, I must remain the barren ex. The woman they threw away like trash.

Tension grows thicker in me, I grip the edge of my blouse in my fingers.

Liam, I'll protect you. Even if I have to fight the devil himself. I will keep you safe.

"Can you drive any faster?" I snap at him. Frustration rises within me the more I look at him.

He blinks hard. "I apologise ma, I didn't mean to..."

"Just drive." I cut him off.

"I didn't mean for this to happen," he continues, "There was a car tailing me, and I..."

"Drive." I yell louder this time.

He nods quickly, raising one hand like he's surrendering. "Okay. Alright."

A few seconds pass before he says in a more quiet tone, "You can call me Travis."

"This isn't the time to know whatever you're called." I spit.

He goes silent.

Good.

I don't have the strength to argue. Liam is all that matters right now.

I catch him stealing glances at me again. I hate it. I hate how calm he seems under all this.

Then my eyes fall on his shiny, gold wrist -Rolex.

Of course.

He must have thought of himself as a God. I sign, throwing my face to the other side of the window.

Rich, powerful and untouchable. Men like him always walk away clean.

But not this time.

Not if Liam doesn't wake up.

We arrive at the hospital a few minutes later. One of the best I have ever seen. The kind of place rich people trust with their lives.

The ambulance pulls to a stop and the paramedics burst the doors open. They pull Liam's stretcher down with swift urgency.

I run after them, with speed.

"God, please..." I keep whimpering, asking God to spare his life. "Please let him live."

...

Inside the emergency department, doctors and nurses take over, gloves snap, and commands flying across the room.

"We can take care of it from here." a nurse says firmly, stepping in front of me.

I try to move past but she blocks me gently.

"Take that hallway, go to reception, and fill in your information..."

I don't let her finish before I turn and race like a mad woman to the lobby, my feet barely touching the floor.

My breath comes out in sobs.

"Please nurse, where? Where do I sign in? He's in the emergency room!" I say, pointing behind me.

My voice breaks. I could not talk properly.

The receptionist stares at me without any further questioning and pulls out a big book. "Here." she says, pointing to a particular corner of the form.

I quickly scribble down my name, without any further pause to ask questions.

"And here too," she adds, tapping the far end of the page. "For who you brought in with you."

When I finish and return back to the waiting area, it's cold and too quiet. The seconds drag.

I can't sit still, I pace back and forth in the room.

Then a voice speaks. "Are you his mother?"

I turn sharply.

The man approaching wears a bluecoat and a kind face. "I'm Dr. Jerry, paediatric trauma specialist. He's in good hands."

"Please... do whatever you can to save him," I whisper. "I'll be glad he survives whatever happened to him..."

Before Dr Jerry can reply, another voice cuts in from behind. "His expenses are covered. Do everything."

I turn around.

It's him again.

Travis.

He steps forward, in a calm and composed manner, with a thick white bandage across his forehead.

I'd forgotten about his injury. I was too focused on Liam. And still I am.

Dr. Jerry gives a short nod. "We'll do our best," he says, then he leaves.

I finally sit on one of the metal chairs but my knees won't stop shaking. I try to pray but no words come out.

Time slowly melts away.

Soon, a nurse appears suddenly. "Ma'am, your son needs blood. We need a donor urgently."

"Yes, take mine." I say, standing immediately.

She draws my blood and disappears.

*****

Minutes later, she's back, too soon.

"Your blood type doesn't match. We need someone else..."

My heart skips a beat. "My blood isn't a match?"

"I'll try," Travis says, rising from his seat without hesitation. "I'm O negative. Universal donor."

I glance at him, stunned.

Part of me wants to scream, You've done enough already.

But another part, the part desperate to save my child lets him go.

It is all a thought.

He disappears into the hallway with the nurse.

Somewhat strangely, I'm still grateful he is helping, I don't mind doing anything to save my child.

I remain there, freeze, staring at the red light above the operating room door, and grip tight on the chair.

Soon I bend forward and rest my head in my hands.

I shouldn't have brought Liam here.

But fate has a cruel way of dragging you back where you swore you'd never return.

Mason can't see me. He can't see Liam.

If he finds out the truth...

No. I shake the thought away.

Not now.

Not when my son is lying on an operating table, fighting for his life.

Then a voice yanks me from the fog.

"Elodie!"

My heart races. My ears heard it wrong.

"No one knows my name at this place. I pray it's my thought, not reality." I mutter to myself. "I pray I'm safe..."

"Elodie!" the voice comes again, this time louder.

I turn toward the sound.

And freeze.

My heart stops.

Elodie

My face brightens up as my eyes fall on Vivian.

She's standing not too far from me, blinking like she is unsure if It's really me.

I gasp, as a warm relief wraps around me.

At least... It's her. Of all people, it's her.

"Vivian," I breathe out, forcing a tired smile.

"Elodie? It's really you." she says, her voice shifts from surprise to excitement. Then she rushes forward.

We fell into a hug. She wraps me tightly with joy.

"You are the last person I expect to see here." I answer, holding back the tears pressing up in my eyes.

"It's been ages!" Her warm voice echoes. "You disappeared, girl. Without a word"

I smile exhaustively. "It's not what you think."

She pulls back from me a little, her eyes scanning me with that same old knowing look. "Then what is it?"

She rolls her eyes playfully.

"It's been almost ten years since I last saw you." She draws closer and hugs me again. I've missed you so much."

"I missed you too," I whisper back.

She takes my hands, touching my cheek. "What happened? Why did you vanish like that? Not even a message." she says as she drags me closer to the metal seat and we sit.

I bring down my face, swallowing hard. "Circumstances forced me to."

She pauses. "Is it your step mother? Is she still...?"

I nod. "She hasn't changed."

Vivian sighs, taking a deep breath. "And what about now? You don't look so well. Are you sick?"

Tears slip through my eyes immediately. My throat tightens.

"I wish it were me," I whisper. "But it's not."

Her brows furrow. "What do you mean?"

"My son," I say pointing towards the operating room. "He's in there."

Vivian blinks, stunned. "You... have a son?"

"Yes." My voice cracks. "For my ex-husband."

She stares at me, tilting her head backwards, as if, processing what I just said.

"I kept him hidden, no one knows about us. Not even his father."

"You're even married?" she dips her brow.

"Once married Vivian," I point out. "We're not together anymore, just Liam and I."

She doesn't speak. Just reaches out and pulls me into another warm embrace. "I don't even know you were once married."

Her voice breaks as she takes a deep breath and pats my back. "Elodie... you've been carrying all this alone?"

I nod. Tears stream down my cheeks.

And for the first time this evening, I allow myself to breathe.

"He is evil. Mason, is evil." My voice cracks as my sob crawls in quietly.

She pulls out from me suddenly. "Mason?"

"Yes. Mason."

Her jaw tightens. "Wait... which Mason? Are you talking about the same Mason we met at the yacht party years back?

"Yes, Vivy," I nod, my throat tightening.

She gasps, covering her mouth, then squints after a short while. "And he dares hurt you?"

"He did. But it's all in the past now," I say, swallowing hard. "Serena replaced me after I couldn't bear a child for him."

Her eyes grow glossy with disbelief. "What? Serena again?"

"Yes. They all blamed me for being barren, but I'm grateful today."

She shakes her hair in anger. "That idiot actually had the nerve to walk away from you? And your sister, she's even worse than her mother"

I give a broken smile "it's okay. I'm better off without that marriage."

"Sure. Sure," she says with a soft smile and pats my shoulder. "You're stronger than all of them, but trust me, you're not alone anymore."

I nod vigorously.

"You don't deserve any of those toxic cycles," she continues. "They have always been torn to your flesh right from when you were young."

I sniff and swallow hard.

"And as for your stepsister, Serena. She has everything she ever wanted yet she won't stop pestering you. I wonder why you're still keeping mute about it?"

Vivian scoffs and bites her lower lip. "Girl, you can fight back legally for everything they've done to..."

"No, no, no. I can't do that." I interrupt, cutting her off.

"Why? Why exactly Elodie?" her concerned voice comes stronger this time. "You can't keep allowing them to get on your nerves all the time. C'mon."

"But I can't hurt them either. They're my family. Serena is still my younger sister."

She chuckles loudly. "This is the exact reason they won't stop hurting you. To them, you're not wanted. Can't you see that? And unless you fight back, Serena Fontain will never stop coming after you."

My heartbeat rises as the weight of their actions come crashing. A fresh tear wells up in my eyes, threatening to unleash but I blink repeatedly.

"I wish there's a better way to make you understand," Vivian continues. "They won't stop denying you access to everything that's yours. You need to do something."

She stands, paces back and forth. Fingers clenching tight. Then she turns and strides back and sits.

"Look at you. You can't even go to your parents house. That's unfair Elodie." She inhales heavily.

A sob creeps to my lips, causing it to tremble. But Vivian gently takes my hand and rubs gently.

"Okay, enough of Serena and her mother. Now tell me, what can I do to assist you?"

I hesitate. Then wipe my face. "Can I stay at your place? Just until my son fully recovers."

She doesn't blink. "Of course . You're not alone this time, Elodie. Never again."

"Talking to you..." I sniff, and slowly exhale. "It's like hope, coming back."

But before she can respond, her eyes shift past me to the doorway and her face stiffens.

I turn and see Travis walking in, gesturing as he speaks into his phone.

Vivian squints, rubbing her eyes like she's unsure.

"Travis Milton?"

"What is he doing here?" She whispers. "First it's you, and now...him? What a day." her lips curve to a moon shape.

The door swings open, cutting her off.

Dr. Jerry steps out with a faint smile.

"It's successful, madam. You'll see him shortly. The nurses are dressing the wound."

"Thank you, Doctor." Travis steps forward before I can speak, offering his hand.

Dr. Jerry shakes it. "The pleasure is mine."

I spring to my feet with a big relief, gasping.

Vivian glances at me, her brows raise, and her lips curl into a smirk.

"Why is he thanking the doctor for your son?" Vivian asks, facing me. "Do you know him from somewhere?"

I shake my head. "No, not really."

She raises a brow. "Hmm. Okay save that look for later."

A nurse approaches us.

"You can go in now. He's still unconscious from the drugs, but he'll wake up in a few hours."

Before either of us can move, Travis ends his call and slips inside the room first.

Then Vivian and I follow.

I walk close to Liam and carefully, I lean down and press a kiss to his forehead, mindful of the nasal catheter taped beneath his nose.

"Hey madam," Travis softly says after a while, stepping closer. He holds out a bundle of cash and a card.

"Please use this for anything else you might need while I'm away. I'll be back tomorrow. Call me if anything changes."

I hesitate before staring at him like it could pierce his soul and avenge Liam's condition. But Vivian won't stop giving me a sign to give in.

Stretching my hands, I finally take his offers and place them on the bedside table.

He glances at Liam, then turns and walks out without waiting for thanks.

Good for him.

I wasn't going to say that anyways.

Vivian turns to me, blinking slowly. "You still haven't told me what's going on Elodie?"

I squint. "He's just helping because he caused all of this." I snap.

"No." She shakes her head in disagreement, her voice lower than it was earlier, then she leans in and continues.

"He's looking at you like he's known you forever. I'm... I think I am really missing something... Aren't I?"