Two days passed…
"Babe, I have a meeting for a new project."
While speaking, Elle was busy putting on earrings in front of the mirror. From where he stood, Darius just watched her. He was used to scenes like this—his wife always busy, always off to some important work commitment. He no longer asked who she'd be with or where she was going. From the beginning, he had accepted that Elle's world revolved around her career, and he had no intention of getting in the way of that.
"Okay, take care," he replied briefly.
Elle paused for a moment before walking out. "He didn't even ask where I'm going. We're really used to this now," she whispered to herself, forcing a smile at her reflection in the mirror.
Then she left the room.
Moments later, the door closed. Once he was sure he hadn't forgotten anything and wouldn't return, he let out a deep sigh. He glanced at the table where his phone was resting. He hesitated for a few seconds, but eventually picked it up and opened a social media app.
He searched for a nameshe hadn't checked in a long time—Angela Marie Adriano.
When the profile appeared on the screen, he froze. It was still the same. No new posts, no changes to the account. The last update was the same as when he last checked, years ago. The old photos were still there—with him, her cousin, and her best friend. Even their high school memories were still posted there, like an old chapter never reopened.
"Why didn't she deactivate it if she's not using it anymore?" he muttered.
Shaking his head, he tried searching for her cousin but found no trace. Even Gelo, Angela's younger brother whom he used to play online games with, had vanished without a trace. He'd noticed this before, but it only hit him now—harder, heavier in his chest. Something was wrong. He felt like there was a missing piece to a puzzle he couldn't find.
He had once asked Clark, but his answer had been cold and distant.
"What is this? Who should I even ask?"
He knew it was unlikely Angela would talk to him, especially after all the hurtful words he'd said in the past. But the unease in his chest wouldn't go away. Something was pulling him back—something he couldn't explain.
***
"What do you want?"
There was hesitation in Clark's tone as he looked at the man sitting in the hospital lobby. His face clearly showed exhaustion, but more than that was the cold distance he was deliberately putting between them.
Darius hesitated but forced himself to speak. "Can I talk to you?"
"I'm busy."
Their eyes met for a moment. Darius swallowed hard.
"I just… I just want to ask if I can talk to her."
Darius clenched his fists. He knew he shouldn't rush things, but the longer he kept this inside, the bigger the hole in his chest grew. "I promise I won't say anything hurtful. I just… I just need answers. If I know the truth, maybe everything will be okay. I won't force anything. I don't want to stress her out, or put her—or the baby—in danger."
Clark blinked. He hadn't expected Darius's last words. He knew it was too late for the man in front of him, but he also couldn't make decisions for Angela.
"I'll talk to her first," Clark replied. "Because it's not my decision to make."
Darius couldn't answer. He didn't know whether to feel relieved or more afraid. A part of him wanted to back out, but it was too late. He needed to know the truth.
***
At the park, at one of Angela's old favorite spots…
"Hey."
Angela looked up from the book she was reading. "Hi. How was your day?"
"Same old—tired. But that's nothing new."
Clark sat beside her on the bench and handed her a cup of strawberry shake. "For you." Then he kissed her forehead, making Angela close her eyes for a moment to feel the warmth of his lips. She smiled.
"You really know how to brighten my day."
They drank quietly. But behind her smile, there was sadness in Angela's eyes—and Clark noticed it. He knew her too well.
Angela caught his gaze. "Is something wrong?"
"Nothing," Clark hesitated before sighing. "Baby, someone wants to talk to you."
Angela stopped drinking. She had a hunch who it was, but she didn't want to think about it yet. "Who?"
"Someone from the past."
And in an instant, the weight of memories came flooding back—the words left unsaid, the wounds that still hadn't healed.
Her chest tightened. It felt like a cold breeze had passed through her. She didn't know if she should run away or face it.
"He won't force you," Clark added. "It's up to you if you want to talk to him or not."
"I-I don't know… I really don't know."
She bowed her head. She never imagined she'd one day be confronted again by her past. After everything that had happened.
***
Unbeknownst to them, a pair of eyes was secretly watching from a distance.
Darius.
He stared at Angela—Angela sitting beside Clark. It felt like it had been many years since he last saw her. She was still beautiful, but something had changed. He couldn't say what it was, but he felt it.
He observed her new hairstyle—layered, shoulder-length, with a slight brunette tint. It suited her. Her powder blue sweater and long skirt paired with white sneakers highlighted her charm.
He saw how she smiled with the man Darius never expected would now be the reason behind her smiles—the woman who used to smile because of him. Angela Marie. She had once been a big part of his life—but not anymore.
The waiter arrived and placed his espresso on the table. He couldn't bring himself to pick up the cup. Instead, he kept his eyes on Angela, studying her every move.
He had doubted for so long. And now that he was here in San Francisco, he wouldn't leave until he knew the truth.
And he wouldn't stop until he had spoken to Angela.