RAFAEL
An hour earlier...
Paxton, my investigator, came to my office in the afternoon, exactly when I was getting ready for Savannah’s event. He didn’t say he was coming, but Pax never showed up unannounced unless he had new information.
“Take a seat, Pax.” I glanced at my Rolex. I just hope this was good news he brought. It was often a false lead for a couple decades now.
“Someone called me,” he said as he perched. “Someone from Adventures Park.”
“I thought we said we’re not following this lead because it’s a waste of time?”
Hundreds of children go missing in the amusement park every year, but we stopped looking in those places because we didn’t find a case like ours. All nearby amusement parks had no information to give.
“I know, it sounds impossible given how many times I looked. But I think we’re getting closer.”
I clenched my fist. He said that many times too. “How about what you said the last time? You said you found a foster home that could point us to our search?”
“Let’s take it aside for now. This call is different, boss.” He leaned close. “A private investigator came to them this week. He looked for information about a missing seven-year-old boy on June 17th, twenty-nine years ago. It was the exact same day your brother went missing.”
It made me jump from my seat. “Did you get the name?”
“Yes, he said, um, hold on.” He drew out his worn-out notebook from his briefcase and impatiently flipped the pages. “Elliot. That’s the only name the investigator left to the amusement park information. However, he wasn’t actually looking for the boy but searching for the person who reported him missing. Didn’t your parents report him?”
They did. At every amusement park, foster care, and police station in Brooklyn.
“How can we be sure we’re looking for the same person?” I didn’t want to get my hopes up.
“They mentioned the investigator described the boy had a speech disorder and a hyperacusis.”
“What?” I murmured.
“I think this is it.” He smiled at me as if we had already tasted victory. “It seems your brother is looking for you too, sir, and this Elliot hired him to do that.”
Mikhail…
Twenty-nine years ago, he went missing at Adventures Park—an accident that was my fault. I was there with him. I brought him there. I was supposed to look after him because I was the one who could talk.
Mikhail was a part of my never-ending nightmares.
He was why I couldn’t have peace of mind, why I still thought my father still resented me, and why he made me the way I was. Unfeeling, stone hearted, and burdened with guilt.
I gritted my teeth. “Find this Elliot guy, Pax. And don’t come to me until I get a clear answer.”
“Yes, boss.” He gestured a salute. “I’m sorry for the interruption. Are you going somewhere?”
I stood up and straightened my suit. “I have a date.”
SAVANNAH
“Have you told her?” I asked Edward as we danced, referring to Sofia and the divorce.
“Not yet.” He spun me around twice and brought me into his arms. “But you beat me to it, huh? Is it Sebastian?”
“He helped a little with the process. But isn’t this for the better? You wanted this. You’re free to marry her.”
Edward lifted my waist, pivoting me in the air once, and brought me back to my feet. “I don’t know. It’s early for that. She has been quiet lately.”
“Why?” This is probably the first time we spoke without yelling in each other’s faces. It was surprising.
“I’m not even sure what to feel about us.”
He released my hand, which had me turned on my own, and he yanked me back against him.
“Do you even like her or not?”
He stared at me.
“It’s fine. We’re both officially unmarried now. You can tell me,” I urged him. Once and for all, I wanted to know the truth.
“She didn’t seduce me like everybody thinks,” he said. “I do like her, Savi. But I still care about you. That’s what I feel.”
“Of course you do. We’ve been together almost half of our lives. But I know you, Edward. You don’t do something you mean or fall for someone you don’t really like.”
“And no one knows me more than you do.”
“That’s right. So this is it, huh? It’s over,” I said.
“Do you have any regrets?”
“I don’t regret meeting you, Edward. I was just angry and betrayed.”
“Are we really doing this now?”
“Yes, we are. After this night, I hope we will have no resentment or guilt. I want us to move on. I will let you go because it’s time. We’re with someone else now. We just won’t grow, don’t you think?”
“We won’t.” He sighed. “You fell out of love with me, Savi.”
“I did?”
“Yes, I felt it. You’re only mad at me because I betrayed you, and you still cared.”
“We are both at fault, then,” I concluded, smirking. “It was something I couldn’t accept because of my pride.”
“You have a lot of it.”
“It’s the only thing I have. I thought I was wrong, and I could get over it. Did you regret it?”
“I don’t regret marrying you. But if not loving you, I’ll still care about you, Savi. I’m sorry for everything. You were my real first best friend, you know.”
“It’ll take a while to accept that, but sure. I’ll take the initiative. We weren’t always miserable. We shared beautiful moments together, too. I guess the life and time we had were just borrowed.”
His mouth curled up. “You’re right.”
We continued to dance fluidly like no one else was around us, like we were two friends talking about each other’s hurdles. Then couples began joining us on the dance floor.
“But you’re also taking back the house. You’re not really giving that up, are you?”
“Come on, you know why I want it back.” I still hadn’t asked Rafe about it yet. I was amazed at how he made things work in just a few days.
“Is it Sebastian too?”
“He helped me. He’s really considerate, Ed. Whatever you said about him, I just couldn’t see that now.”
Edward’s expression turned somber. “I don’t know. It’s just—” He abruptly stopped and tensed up at the strong presence that suddenly joined us. “Sebastian.”
“Mind if I cut in?” His voice was low and deliberately husky. My insides squirmed, and I felt the sensation in my groin. A pleasurable ache of yearning twisted in my belly. He looked like a sexy dark prince in a crimson suit jacket and black shirt with no ties and paired them with black slacks and oxfords.
“Rafe,” I whispered.
“Yeah, of course.” Edward released me, and Rafe immediately took my hand and gently skimmed his thumb across my knuckles.
“What took you so long?” I pouted, wrapping my arms around his neck.
He studied me under his lashes. “You look beautiful, Savannah.” He kissed my forehead and breathed me in. I sensed the tension in his body.
“Are you okay?”
“Right now, I am.”
“Did something happen?”
“Just some distracting stuff.” He pulled me closer and gazed into my eyes. “You’re like a personal cure to me. Do you know that?”
I huffed, smirking. “You almost want to tear Edward’s hands off.”
“About that. I made sure he received the divorce in his mail, too. Is he bothering you again?”
“No, we’re actually saying our goodbyes. I’m a free woman now, thanks to you. And I never have to feel guilty about dating again.”
His lips started curving. “I have no problem if it is me.”
“I didn’t know you’re so possessive,” I teased.
“I didn’t realise if I am.”
I danced a few more songs with my princely partner. Damn. Rafe could dance. And fluidly as if he was born with the talent. My two left feet were miraculously in place. He swung me around and caught me back in his arms with care. I giggled as he did.
When I felt like resting, I asked him, “Come on. I’ll introduce you to my friends.”
“Is that necessary?”
“Of course it is! That’s a part of the agreement.”
We left the dance floor and went to Riley’s group with some of our closest friends back in the day. Dustin, Wesley, Lila, Gina, Jaime, Vince, Shelly, Ruth, and their dates near the buffet.
“Oh my God, Savi!” Lily spotted me with widening eyes.
“Hey, Lils.” I gave her a quick hug.
“It’s been a while. You look…” She studied me head to toe, “like you don’t age at all.”
I chuckled. “Oh, no. I just saw a line on my forehead this morning. Thank you. You look amazing.”
I gave each of my former classmates a brief hug and a kiss on the cheek. “By the way, this is Rafael Sebastian. My boyfriend.”
“Oh, right. The divorce,” Shelly said. “We heard, and I’m sorry. But we’re glad you’re doing fine, Sav.”
“Rafael Sebastian? As in Sebastian Entertainment Group?” Jaime asked.
“He is,” Gina answered for us. “I met him once at the restaurant.”
“Wow,” Jaime said.
“Oh, the knight in shining armor! I heard. Hello, Rafael.” Ruth waved at him, and she stared dreamily.
“Guys, I’m taking this opportunity.” Jaime sprang up and moved toward us. “It’s an honor to meet you, Mr. Sebastian. I’m Jaime Turner. My sister owns the recording studio you invested in five years ago. My family was inspired by your work.”
“My pleasure.” Rafe shook Jaime’s hand. “Turner? Are you referring to Turner Records?”
“Yes, that one.”
Rafe smiled. “Your sister is quite a negotiator. I admired her resilience.”
His mouth formed an O in admiration. “I didn’t think you’d actually remember.”
“I remember everyone I work with, Mr. Turner.”
“Please just call me Jaime.” Only then Jaime released Rafe from his grip.
I spent the next half hour of whirlwind introductions. I met other classmates who were now successful with their careers and businesses, and most had their own families. I also met with my former teachers and had a brief chat about my career and life, but they were mostly star-struck with my date. We then took group photos we were posting to the school bulletin.
The servers moved effortlessly through the crowd of guests with more bottles of champagne, refilling our glasses regularly. I was beginning to feel light-headed, so I stopped taking any more alcohol before I passed out.
Rafe took my hand, and we settled by a cocktail table. Only then I noticed how much they’d prepared for the event. The interior was stunning. Three enormous chandeliers hung over the ivory silk lining on the high ceiling and walls. There must be at least thirty tables, reminding me of a private dining room at Michelin star restaurants.
“Are you having fun?” Rafe asked me, a ghost smile playing on his lips.
“Are you getting bored?” I asked him instead. “Well, these people are my friends.”
“With you, I’m not.” He brushed his thumb on my cheek. “But if you’ve greeted everyone, and if it’s alright, I should ask you to go. We have a long drive.”
“Yes, to your family house.” I nodded. “There will be a game later, and the prize will go to charity. I doubt I’ll win anyway, but I still kind of want to stay, so…”
“Excuse me, Savannah? Mr. Sebastian.” Someone suddenly interjected. I pivoted to see who it was.
It was Sofia.