Chapter 1: Reunion
919words
I turned to look at my daughter's special eyes—somewhere between blue and gray, shimmering with a silver light in the sunlight. Just like her father's eyes. Every time I saw those eyes, my heart ached as if pierced.
Following Lillian's gaze, I saw him.
Derek Ravencraft stood across the street, staring directly at us. Eight years had passed, and he had barely changed: the same chiseled features, the same cold demeanor, only his gaze was sharper and more mature now. I felt dizzy, my stomach clenched, and my legs weakened.
He seemed to recognize me too. His body visibly stiffened, then he took a step toward us. My heart raced, blood pounding in my ears. I quickly picked up Lillian and practically fled into our new house, forgetting even to grab our luggage.
"We shouldn't have come back," I whispered, leaning against the closed door, cold sweat soaking my back.
Eight years. For eight whole years, I had managed to stay away from Silver Moon Town—the place that had given me my sweetest memories and deepest wounds. If not for Lillian, I would never have returned. Every street, every building made my old wounds ache.
"Mom, my head hurts again," Lillian said softly, her little face flushed, beads of sweat forming on her forehead.
I immediately turned my attention to my daughter. Lillian's forehead was burning hot, and her eyes began to take on that strange silver glow, like moonlight reflecting on water. Every time I saw this change, my heart tightened. This was why I had decided to return to Silver Moon Town—Lillian's recurring high fevers and those strange symptoms that ordinary doctors couldn't explain. The last specialist had suggested Silver Moon Children's Hospital, where they had experts researching similar genetic conditions.
"It's okay, baby. Mommy's here," I held my daughter, gently rocking her, feeling the weight of her small body in my arms. "Everything will be alright."
But I knew deep down that things would only truly be alright once I found the truth. And that truth likely had something to do with Derek Ravencraft. The thought filled me with both fear and anger.
The doorbell suddenly rang, startling me. I hesitated, my heart racing, but finally decided to face whoever it was. I couldn't keep running away, no matter who stood on the other side.
"Hello," I opened the door, feigning composure despite my trembling fingers.
Derek Ravencraft stood at the doorstep, holding the suitcase I'd left by the car. His gaze immediately fell on Lillian in my arms, his expression complex, his eyes flashing with an emotion I couldn't interpret.
"You left this behind," his voice was deep and controlled, but I could sense the tension in it.
"Thank you," I reached out to take it, but Derek caught my wrist. His touch sent electricity through my body, almost making me want to scream.
"Bella?" There was a hint of disbelief in his eyes, a vulnerability in his voice I'd never heard before.
I pulled my hand free, my heart pounding wildly in my chest. "I don't know what you're talking about, sir. My name is Isabella Sterling." I deliberately emphasized my full name, trying to distance myself from the "Bella" of the past.
Derek looked at me silently, the pain in his eyes almost making me waver. Then his gaze fell on Lillian again, who was feverish, her eyes glowing silver. His expression suddenly changed, as if he'd seen something incredible. "You have a daughter?"
"That's none of your business, is it, sir?" I tried to close the door, feeling a surge of protectiveness, but Derek's hand blocked it.
"How old is she?" His voice turned dangerous, his eyes flashing with the stubbornness I knew so well.
"Please leave!" I almost shouted, fear and anger intertwining within me.
Derek stepped back, his eyes flashing with complex emotions—shock, doubt, pain, and a tenderness I didn't want to acknowledge. "We need to talk. Not now, but soon."
He turned and left, leaving me standing at the door trembling, holding my feverish daughter. I watched his figure disappear around the corner, feeling a strange emptiness and loss, followed by anger at my own weakness.
Memories from eight years ago surfaced clearly. Derek's promises, his gentle touch, our passionate romance, and then that rainy night—when I discovered I was pregnant, excitedly went to find him, only to see him intimately embracing another woman. Even worse, when I confronted him, he coldly said, "I never promised anything. It was just a game."
In that moment, my world collapsed. I remember running in the rain, tears mixing with raindrops, my heart feeling like it had been torn to pieces.
I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down. I hadn't come back for old flames to reignite, but for my daughter. To find out why Lillian kept getting fevers, to uncover the secrets behind those strange symptoms.
If that meant I had to face Derek Ravencraft, then I would prepare myself. After all, I was no longer the easily hurt girl from eight years ago. I had grown stronger, and for Lillian, I could face anyone—including the man who once broke my heart.
"Mom?" Lillian's voice came from the sofa, slightly weak.
I walked to my daughter, a gentle smile on my face, hiding all my pain and fear deep inside. "Mommy's here, baby. Everything will be alright."
I knew the peaceful days were over.
