The silence on the other side lasted several seconds.
Then Tristin spoke.
"Alexander."
His tone was calm.
Steady.
"The fact that she stayed in that town for two years doesn’t mean she hates you."
I said nothing.
"And whatever happened between you two, don’t forget one thing."
He paused.
"She allowed you to see her."
I frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"If she truly wanted to disappear forever, she wouldn’t have stayed somewhere she knew was still in your reach."
The words made me freeze.
"Whatever you do next," Tristin continued, "don’t act impulsively."
"Don’t pressure her."
"Don’t corner her."
"After two years, you finally have a chance to talk to her."
His voice softened.
"Don’t destroy it because you’re afraid."
I closed my eyes.
Because he was right.
Fear was exactly what was driving me right now.
Fear of losing her again.
Fear of losing my daughter.
Fear of discovering that I was no longer wanted.
"I know."
I said quietly.
"If you need anything, call me."
"Alright."
After exchanging a few more words, the call ended.
I lowered the phone and looked out at the ocean once more.
The sky had begun to darken.
The town lights flickered on one by one along the coastline.
Somewhere in that town...
Alicia was there.
And so was my daughter.
For the first time in two years, they were no longer a memory.
And that realization left my mind in complete chaos.
Alicia’s POV
He saw her.
He saw me.
But how?
Why was he even here?
The question had been running through my mind ever since I saw him standing in that hallway with Aimy.
No matter how hard I tried to focus on something else, my thoughts always returned to that moment.
The look in his eyes.
The shock.
The disbelief.
The way he had stared at Aimy.
"Alicia, are you alright?"
Anna’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
It was probably the hundredth time she had asked that question since dinner started.
"I’m alright," I replied, forcing a smile.
Uncle Herbert set down his fork and looked at me carefully.
"Are you sure?"
His voice was filled with concern.
"You’ve seemed distracted ever since we left the company. Are you feeling sick?"
I shook my head.
"Just a little tired."
"You should rest more," he said immediately.
"Don’t push yourself too hard. If you want, I can assign someone else to handle the partnership."
For a brief moment, I considered it.
Wouldn’t that be easier?
Wouldn’t it be safer?
But deep down, I already knew the answer.
There was no avoiding Alexander anymore.
He had already found us.
Even if I stepped away from the partnership, it wouldn’t change the fact that he was here.
Sooner or later, I would have to face reality.
And sooner or later, I would have to tell my family the truth.
"Don’t worry, Uncle," I said softly.
"I can handle it."
"Are you sure?" Aunt Margaret asked.
Her eyes were filled with concern.
"Don’t push yourself too much."
Aunt Veronica nodded in agreement.
"Your health comes first, Alicia."
I smiled reassuringly.
"Really, I’m fine. Please don’t worry about me."
The tension around the table eased slightly, and everyone returned to their meal.
Then Aimy suddenly spoke.
"Uncle Evan said he’d come see me."
Her little lips formed a pout.
"But Mummy didn’t wait for him and brought me home."
Everyone exchanged amused glances.
Anna immediately leaned closer.
"Baby, your mum was tired."
Then she grinned mischievously.
"But why do you like President Evan so much?"
She poked Aimy’s cheek.
"That’s why you ran out of my office today, right? You thought you saw him."
Aimy nodded seriously.
"He’s my new friend."
"Oh really?"
Anna gasped dramatically.
"What about me then?"
Aimy tilted her head as if considering something very important.
After several seconds, she finally answered.
"You’re my friend too."
The table burst into laughter.
Anna clutched her chest dramatically.
"Only ’too’? I’m offended."
Aimy giggled.
Soon the two of them were busy talking while everyone else watched with amusement.
But my attention wasn’t truly there.
The topic only made me realize what really happened earlier.
Aimy met her father today.
And she didn’t even know it.
I remembered the expression on Alexander’s face.
The shock.
The confusion.
The way countless emotions flashed through his eyes within seconds.
Most of all, I remembered the way he looked at Aimy.
As if he couldn’t look away.
A shiver ran through me.
What if he wants to take her?
The thought made my chest tighten immediately.
No.
I clenched my fingers beneath the table.
No matter what happened.
No matter what I had to do.
I would never allow anyone to separate my daughter from me.
Never.
The next morning, I woke up feeling like I hadn’t slept at all.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the same scene.
Aimy bumping into Alexander.
His shocked expression.
I stared at the ceiling for a few seconds before forcing myself out of bed.
There was no point hiding from reality.
Sooner or later I would have to face him.
After getting ready, I went downstairs for breakfast.
The dining room was already lively.
Aimy was sitting between Aunt Margaret and Anna, proudly showing them a drawing she had completed the previous night.
"Mummy!"
She immediately waved the paper when she saw me.
"Look!"
I walked over and accepted it.
A house stood in the center of the page surrounded by flowers and stick figures.
The drawing was crooked and colorful.
Perfect.
"Wow."
I smiled.
"My baby is becoming an artist."
Aimy beamed.
The warmth in my chest eased some of the anxiety that had followed me since yesterday.
At least for a little while.
After breakfast, Anna and I left for the company together.
The drive was unusually quiet.
Several times Anna looked like she wanted to say something.
But surprisingly, she didn’t.
When we finally arrived, I headed straight for my office.
The partnership documents still needed to be finalized.
Work.
I needed to focus on work.
Almost an hour later, Helen entered my office.
"Director Alicia."
I looked up.
"The representatives from Blackwood Dominion have arrived for the review meeting."
My hand froze above the document.
For a brief second, my heart skipped.
Then I slowly nodded.
"Alright."
I gathered the necessary files and stood up.
The walk to the conference room felt much longer than usual.
By the time I reached the door, I had already repeated the same words to myself countless times.
Be professional.
Nothing else matters.
Be professional.