The capital welcomed Maya and Noah with a gentle spring breeze as they stepped off the train. The towering skyline shimmered under the afternoon sun, and the city buzzed with life, much more vibrant than Maya remembered.
She hailed a taxi and settled inside, Noah fast asleep against her side, his head gently resting on her lap. As the car moved forward, Maya looked outside the window, taking in the changed landscape. New buildings had sprung up, old ones refurbished, and the streets she once knew like the back of her hand now seemed foreign.
Time really changes everything, she mumbled, brushing aside a loose strand of hair from her face.
They reached a red signal, and the taxi came to a halt. Beside them, a motorcycle pulled up, engine humming softly. Maya's fingers instinctively combed through Noah's hair, her gaze soft and thoughtful. On the motorcycle, helmet on, sat Ethan Cole—his eyes focused on the traffic light, unaware of the presence sitting just inches away from him.
Neither noticed the other.
The light turned green.
One vehicle turned right.
The other left.
Two lives once entangled now passed each other like strangers.
At the hotel, Maya got out of the taxi, balancing Noah in one arm and dragging their suitcase with the other. It was nothing new for her. For six long years, she had carried the weight of motherhood on her own shoulders—literally and emotionally. She'd grown strong. Independent.
Noah stirred in her arms as she walked into the hotel lobby, blinking sleepily but not saying a word.
Once they reached the room, Maya laid him down gently on the bed. But before she could even catch her breath, her phone buzzed.
It was her father.
"Did you reach safely, Maya?" his voice was laced with concern.
Maya whispered, careful not to wake Noah completely, "Yes, Dad. Nothing to worry about."
Noah, half-asleep, wandered over to her and curled into her side. She let her hand rest on his back instinctively.
"When are you coming back?" her father asked.
Maya chuckled softly, "Dad, we just got here. We'll come back next week."
"Maya…" his voice turned low, hesitant. "Can't you just come back sooner?"
She knew what he was really asking. He feared Ethan might somehow learn of Noah's existence. He'd carried that fear ever since the moment she mentioned returning to the capital.
"Dad, I'm busy right now. I'll call you back later," she lied gently, not wanting to discuss it with Noah right there.
As she ended the call, Noah looked up at her, his voice still groggy. "Was that Grandpa?"
"Yes, dear," she said with a smile, stroking his hair.
"I'm awake now," he declared.
"Then go wash up, sweetheart," she said softly.
Once he disappeared into the bathroom, Maya moved to the window. Her eyes scanned the city skyline—the same one that once saw her cry, dream, fall apart, and rebuild.
Meanwhile, across the city, the grand Cole Mansion stood in quiet elegance. Inside, Margaret Cole sat alone in the vast, tastefully decorated living room. Her fingers fiddled with the edge of her teacup, eyes drifting toward the entrance like they had every day for six years.
Then, at last, the door opened.
"Ethan!" she exclaimed, standing up quickly.
"Mom," he replied, his tone flat, almost mechanical." Where were you, Ethan?"
"I was busy with work. I'm tired. I'm heading upstairs."
Without waiting for a reply, he climbed the stairs and disappeared.
Margaret's smile faltered as she sat back down. He wasn't like this before. There was a time when he would tell her everything—every plan, every step, every decision. But after Maya left, he changed. The once-passionate, driven young man became distant. Cold. He drank more, spoke less, and buried himself in work like he was trying to outrun something.
Or someone.
Just then, Ethan's phone buzzed in his pocket. He answered.
"Mr. Cole," a voice from the other end said, "We're inviting you to this year's CEO Excellence Awards. As always, we value your presence, though you haven't won this year…"
Ethan's brows lifted faintly. "Who won?"
"A woman this time. Maya Sinclair of Sinclair Industries Limited."
There was a long silence.
"Maya…?" he repeated, as if tasting the name after years.
"Yes, sir. She's been making headlines recently. Truly an inspiring success story."
"I see," Ethan said slowly. "Then… I'll see you at the ceremony."
As he ended the call, his expression was unreadable. His gaze lingered on the phone screen, then shifted to the window.