The chase

(Arielle's

POV)

I returned home finally, exhausted but fulfilled. My Mom and son were already waiting in the sitting room, and they sprung on me, yelling their felicitations as I walked in.

"We saw the news!" Maverick exclaimed, jumping on me. "You're famous now, Mama."

"Congratulations, my darling. I'm so proud of you," Mom said.

I smiled, sharing in their happiness. "Thanks, guys."

I walked to the couch and we all settled in it and I filled their eager ears with how my day went. But of course, I ensured to keep the accident and the encounter with Sofia's part out, so they don't freak out.

After my narration, I excused myself as I was dying to shed the dress and accessories I had on my body. "Excuse me, you two," I said, rising to my feet. "I need to shower and rest a little."

"Dinner will be ready soon," my Mom reminded me.

I nodded, grateful for the brief reprieve. Once inside my bedroom, I peeled off my dress, craving comfort. The hot water in the shower felt like a necessary luxury, but as it cascaded down, my thoughts somehow wandered. Dwayne. I hadn't heard from him all day.

No call. No text.

A twinge of disappointment tugged at me, and I sighed. Why was I so affected? He must have been busy.

Plus, think about it, he had promised to visit, to see me often, but we both knew how life worked. Adults made promises like that all the time, but those were just good words, comforting lies to soften the inevitable. People moved on. It was just what they did.

I smiled bitterly, then gave myself a light pat on the cheek.

Come on Arielle, forget about him! Women without men are like fish without bicycles! You are utterly fine. Pushing the thought aside, I focused on the warmth of the water, letting it cleanse the tension from my body. After bathing, I slipped into my pajamas and rested for a while, but my thoughts wouldn't leave me alone. When I finally made my way to the dining area, Maverick and Mom were already deep in conversation. Maverick animatedly described his day, his art, and his little adventures around the neighborhood with Nana.

I watched them, cherishing these moments, knowing how fleeting they were.

into bed, and as I left him in the safe hands of his Nana reading

I lay on the bed, waiting for sleep to come, my phone

I tapped it

sent a picture he stood in his kitchen, holding up a

help but notice the blood splatters scattered across his shirt. Does this

with this big man today," he captioned. Below, a congratulatory message followed:

as I typed my response. He

my former place of work before I moved to Italy. He was the pioneer of my success story-he had informed me about the scholarship and convinced me to take it. Without him, I might never have left. Life would

inside, a wave of nostalgia hit me. The place was quaint, a far cry from the grandeur of the restaurant he once owned. But

door creaked as I pushed it open and walked

greeted him, and his face lit

pulling me into a hug. "It's been far too

by the window and we sat to talk. Over freshly made coffee and baked bread, we talked about a lot

Stone shared his story

clouding his

10 to

had sell my properties and the restaurant land to get this place,"

Ashley had told me about the fire accident, as it had happened weeks after traveled. There was little or nothing I could do as I was trying to

face brightening up. "This cafe is my new beginning

my tone. "You never let

face softened. "Neither did you, Arielle. I always knew you were destined for greatness. But..."he paused like he

then," he resumed talking. "I'm glad you're out of it now. You

with

proposal," I chipped in, changing

sat up on the chair, looking at me seriously. "I'm all

restaurant's opening soon. I'd love you to be

admitted softly. "I'm

I do have a nephew. He's young, talented, and passionate about the business. He's

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