CHAPTER 2: THE MEMORY HE NEVER SAW
The gala ended early.
Not officially—but emotionally.
Guests left in fragmented whispers, carrying rumors faster than cars through the rain-soaked driveway.
Back at the Mercer estate, silence felt heavier than noise.
Noah sat on the living room rug, still clutching Marina’s sleeve like a lifeline. Marina stood nearby, uncomfortable under Vanessa’s watchful eyes.
Logan finally spoke.
“Where did you meet him?”
Marina hesitated.
“I didn’t.”
A pause.
Then she added quietly:
“I think… he already knew me.”
Vanessa let out a short laugh.
“That’s ridiculous. He’s nonverbal. He doesn’t form attachments like that.”
But Noah suddenly stood up.
Walked to a drawer near the entertainment unit.
Opened it.
And pulled something out.
A faded photograph.
Logan froze the moment he saw it.
A younger version of Marina.
Holding a baby.
A baby with a familiar birthmark on his wrist.
The room went silent again—but this silence was different.
May you like
It wasn’t empty.
It was dangerous.
