chapter 53

Amaira stared out of the car window as they drove through the streets of Bristol. The city had changed in some ways, yet it still carried the memories she had buried deep inside her heart.Seven years ago, she had lived here. Loved here. And lost everything here.She clenched her fists as the car pulled up in front of the hotel. She wasn’t here for the past. She was here for her son.Justin, sitting beside her, observed her carefully. He could sense her emotions shifting, though she masked them well. He wanted to ask, but something told him she wouldn’t answer.As they entered the grand hotel, the staff welcomed them warmly. Their suite was luxurious, with a breathtaking view of the city. But none of that mattered to Amaira.She placed her bags down and exhaled deeply.She was back. In the city where everything began.Amaira and Nicolo were at their respective places working while the twins were busy forming a plan to bring them together. The twins wasted no time executing their plan.Alex carefully snuck into his father’s office and picked up Nicolo’s phone. It was a risk, but his father was busy in a meeting. Quickly, he typed a message:"If you want to know about your past lover, come to La Rosa Restaurant at 7 PM. – Anonymous."After sending it, he deleted the message from the sent folder and placed the phone back in its exact position.Meanwhile, Justin did the same with Amaira’s phone."I know where your son is. If you want to find him, come to La Rosa Restaurant at 7 PM. – Anonymous."He, too, deleted the message immediately.The twins smirked.Now, all they had to do was wait.As evening approached, both Amaira and Nicolo received their respective messages.Amaira’s heart pounded as she stared at her phone screen. Someone knew where her son was? She had searched for six years, and now, out of nowhere, this message appeared. Was it a trap? Was it real? She couldn’t ignore it.On the other hand, Nicolo frowned at the anonymous text. His past lover? He had tried searching for Amaira for years, but she had disappeared without a trace. Was this some kind of game? If there was even a small chance of learning about her whereabouts, he couldn’t miss it.—---At La Rosa Restaurant, Justin and Alex sat at a table in disguise, waiting. Their plan was risky, but they knew their parents had to meet. It was the only way to bring them together.At exactly 7 PM, the restaurant doors opened from two sides.Amaira entered the restaurant, her heart pounding. Could this be real? Was someone really leading her to her son? She scanned the room, looking for someone suspicious, but nothing seemed out of place.From the other side, Nicolo stepped in, his sharp gaze moving around. Who could have sent this message? Was it really about Amaira? Or just another trick?Their eyes met.Amaira’s breath hitched. Why did this man feel… familiar? His presence, his aura—it reminded her of someone, but she couldn’t place him.Nicolo, on the other hand, froze. Amaira. It had to be her. But something was different—her gaze didn’t hold recognition. Did she not know him?Amaira quickly looked away. 'I need to focus. I’m here for my son.' she told herselfJust then, a waiter approached them both."Madam, sir, your private table is ready."Amaira frowned. "Our?" She turned to Nicolo in confusion.Nicolo’s jaw tightened. What the hell is going on?But before either of them could protest, they were led to a secluded table in a quiet corner of the restaurant.Nicolo sat across from Amaira, his mind in complete turmoil.For years, he had searched for her—tried to find traces of the woman he once held in his arms, the woman he had destroyed with his own hands. He knew she was not dead. He had prepared himself for the moment he would finally face her again, but now that she was here, she did not recognize him.His heart clenched. Was it relief or regret?He had thought of apologizing, of explaining everything—of making things right. But if she didn’t remember him, wasn’t this his second chance?If she had forgotten the pain he caused, he could start over. He could have her back without the shadow of his sins looming over them.But then, another thought struck him like a dagger to the chest.Had she truly forgotten him… or had she erased him from her heart?He gritted his teeth, his hands clenching under the table. He should be relieved, yet a bitter taste coated his throat. Did he mean so little to her that she had moved on so completely?His gaze flickered to Amaira. She sat there, calm, poised—a woman with no trace of the girl who once loved him.He had lost her once.But now, he had hope.This time, he would not let her go.