Ariana took a composed breath, her gaze shifting between Shawn and Adele before she said in a measured tone, “It’s quite commonplace, as the Fredricks own this mall.”

Recollection washed over Ariana, carrying her back to that initial return from abroad, when she and Sonia had ventured here to select gifts for Melon. In that bustling place, a man had caught her eye, his profile bearing an uncanny resemblance to Theodore’s.

And with that memory, a new revelation struck her.

It was Holden.

The cadence of Holden’s voice echoed Theodore’s, and there was a resemblance between their features, a similarity Melon had once remarked upon. A fanciful notion danced at the edges of Ariana’s thoughts.

Could Holden be Theodore?

Almost as swiftly as the thought surfaced, Ariana dismissed it, a wry twist touching her lips, dismissing the idea as preposterous. How could such a connection exist? Theodore, the heir of the esteemed Anderson family, tethered to the Fredrick lineage? It defied reason.

Darian would have showered him with

if Theodore were truly Holden, retribution would have been well within his grasp. Why would he have had

simply didn’t align. How could Holden

five years ago, Holden had

Ariana noted an absence — an incongruity. Theodore and Holden had never materialized together. Moreover, Theodore had seemed entwined

steady herself, feeling a touch of absurdity for ever entertaining the notion that Theodore and Holden were one

she couldn’t

of fate, Holden truly was Theodore, how had he

Angela’s Library

touch on Ariana’s arm jolted

looking up at her, reached out her

Adele’s silent request for a hug, Ariana adjusted her demeanor, offering a warm smile as she stooped

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