Chapter 18

Kannika rested her hand gently over Evelyn’s, her voice calm yet probing.
“Did she recognize you?” she asked, her eyes narrowing slightly. “And what brought her here in the first place?”

Evelyn lifted her head. The memory replayed vividly in her mind — the strange, almost surreal encounter.
“She acted like she didn’t recognize me,” Evelyn said softly. “Or maybe… she truly didn’t.”

Kannika frowned. “But how could you have been so ignorant of her until that moment in the hospital ward?” The difficulty lay in the sheer magnitude of her mother’s fame, a figure who had always commanded the spotlight and whose face was the only one the public knew. Though popular in her own sphere, Dr. Williams remained largely in that shadow, a renown of reputation rather than of image.

Evelyn sighed. “All of this happened in another city. While there, I hired a private detective to track her. He kept me informed when I first arrived here. But then, she just vanished. No more traces. Nothing.”

Kannika tilted her head, thoughtful. Then, suddenly: “Can we meet your detective?”

Evelyn blinked. “Why?”

“Because,” Kannika said firmly, “he’s the only one who can confirm whether the woman you saw is really the one you’ve been chasing.” She stood up, already grabbing her jacket. “Come on. Let’s go.”

Evelyn stared. “Kannika, look at the time,” she protested, her voice laced with fatigue. “He’s been useless for months. What makes you think he can identify her now? He’ll need significant time for any real research. Let’s do this tomorrow.”

Kannika’s eyes hardened. “You have ten minutes. Otherwise, I’m going with you in pajamas.” She glanced down at Evelyn’s Hello Kitty pajamas and raised an eyebrow.

Evelyn sighed. She knew that tone; Kannika never bluffed. Within minutes, she was dressed, and the two were on the road.

During the drive, Kannika’s thoughts spiraled quietly.

But the present concern pressed harder: why now? after all these years, was Evelyn so desperate to find this woman again? Was it guilt? Love? Or something Evelyn herself didn’t understand? A knot tightened in Kannika’s stomach. This wasn’t just a former flame; this was the secret that had defined Evelyn’s entire tumultuous adolescence, and Kannika feared what might happen when that past finally materialized in the rearview mirror. What if retrieving this piece of history broke the fragile truce Evelyn had made with her current life?

“How did you find this detective?” Kannika asked at last.

“Online,” Evelyn replied quickly.

They reached a narrow street on the city’s edge. A dim porch light flickered above a door. The area was indeed a private residential one. At a quick pace, they walked to the door. Kannika knocked firmly — once, twice, three times. No answer.

“Did you try calling him?” she asked.

“Yes, but he’s not picking up,” Evelyn murmured, glancing nervously around.

Kannika circled the small porch, her hand resting near her jacket pocket — the way someone would if they carried a weapon. Evelyn noticed and frowned.

Then Evelyn’s phone buzzed. “Wait — he’s calling back!” she exclaimed.
“Madam Dara?” a rough male voice answered.
“Yes, please, it’s urgent. I’m outside your place.”
“Oh! I’m nearby. Wait — I’ll be there in a moment.”
“Thank you,” Evelyn said, relieved.

Kannika smirked. “See? Not that late after all, scaredy-cat.” She nudged Evelyn’s shoulder. They returned to the car to wait.

Across town, The charity gala shimmered beneath crystal lights and a blizzard of camera flashes. Malaya looked stunning — poised yet distant beside Dr. Emilio. As Dr. Williams’ representative, she had been seated at the head table, surrounded by the city’s elite. Her heart, however, beat with unease. She was an outsider among them, wrapped in borrowed elegance under the eyes of those born to privilege.

Conversation sparkled with polite arrogance. Every smile hid an agenda.

When her turn came to speak, Emilio leaned close and whispered, “Did you tell her anything about me?” He meant Williams.

Malaya gave him a cold, measured look but said nothing.

“I’ll tell her myself,” he added under his breath.

“Why would you think I said anything?” she shot back quietly. “Your mess isn’t my business, Doctor Emilio.”

His jaw tightened. 

She saw the flicker of guilt behind his calm, then, at last, she understood what was really bothering him.

“Ah… the car,” she muttered, shaking her head. “I don’t know why she insisted on sending me an escort, and for the record, I told her nothing about you. Dr. Williams isn’t the type to trade favors for sex either.”

Emilio froze. “I would never suspect you of—”

“Of what?” she interrupted. “Say it. Of sleeping with her?”

Before he could answer, applause erupted; it was Dr. Williams’ turn to speak.

Malaya rose, collected the speech on Williams’ behalf, and walked to the podium. Her voice was steadily elegant and detached. She moved through the speech like a shadow fulfilling duty. Once she got off stage, she immediately left the premises; the applause faded behind her. Without Williams, the gala was meaningless, just a hollow parade of power.

But Dr. Emilio was not finished with her.

He followed her, a shadow trailing her rapid steps toward the parking lot.

Sa ii ko thanks you for your reading. Every vote and comment helps this story continue.