Cameron Carlson navigated the bustling crowd with Lyla Greene by his side, soaking in the admiration and well-wishes from onlookers. Lyla, playing her part, remained composed beside him. However, amidst the throng of people, a pair of eyes remained fixated on Lyla, unwavering since the moment they first caught sight of her.
Nathan Graham couldn’t believe he was seeing Lyla again. Watching her stand next to the man who had become a larger-than-life figure in the public eye, Nathan's heart ached, and he felt almost breathless. The woman who should have been his wife was wearing a diamond ring from that man.
Nathan was deeply in love with Lyla. He loved her so much that he never entertained the thought of being with Emerie Adams. Yet, his love was never enough to win Lyla’s heart because, like him, it was fraught with cowardice. When Lyla found herself isolated and alone, Nathan not only failed to protect her but publicly announced his engagement to Emerie. Even though he knew Lyla had been disowned by her family, he didn’t dare defy their orders to assist her. Such a man might evoke pity, but Lyla couldn’t blame him, understanding that she never loved him, nor ever would.
Nathan continued to stare at Lyla, his gaze absorbing every expression. He longed to approach her, but his legs wouldn’t move.
Cameron sensed Nathan's intense gaze and turned, meeting Nathan's eyes, filled with longing for Lyla. With a smirk, Cameron possessively pulled Lyla closer, raising his left hand with the wedding band gleaming, as if to declare to Nathan unequivocally that Lyla was his. Nathan seethed at the gesture but knew better than to act on it. After all, as Emerie's husband and a father, he had no right to draw near Lyla. Yet, seeing Cameron’s arrogance, he couldn’t quell the frustration brewing inside him.
Lyla found it hard to breathe under Cameron’s protective hold. His grip on her waist was almost punishing, as if driven by anger. She didn’t understand the reason for his mood, choosing instead to remain silent, her brows slightly furrowed as she stood beside him, like a puppet.
Cameron noticed the change in Lyla’s demeanor and loosened his grip. He downed his drink in one go and gently touched her forehead. “What’s wrong? Are you uncomfortable?” His tender gesture shocked everyone around, as it was widely believed Cameron was utterly indifferent, especially to women. The onlookers were dumbfounded, questioning the validity of the rumors they had heard.
“Everyone, my apologies. My wife isn’t feeling well, so we’ll be leaving,” Cameron announced, nodding slightly before leading Lyla out of the crowd.
“Lyla, what are we doing? Where are we going now? I'm so tired,” little Keily grumbled, her tiny voice full of exhaustion and curiosity. Just off the plane, Lyla was already talking about leaving again.
“Keily, you’ve often said you wanted to meet your grandparents. Shall we go see them?” Lyla struggled to explain to Keily why they needed to return to their ancestral home so suddenly.
“But, Mom... aren’t Grandma and Grandpa really far away? I often saw you cry over their photo late at night, and I thought…” Keily trailed off, confused by the rare mention of Chaim Greene and Rivka Hayes, names seldom spoken in their home.
“Keily, though they’re no longer with us, the place they lived is where we need to go. They would want to see how you've grown,” Lyla said, her heart heavy as she lovingly caressed Keily’s head.
“Mom, you have me, and I’ll always protect you. I won't let anyone hurt you,” Keily said, sensing the sorrow in Lyla’s heart. The child nestled closer to Lyla for comfort.
“Thank you, Keily. Thank you for not blaming your mom,” Lyla whispered, gazing out the window at the drizzling night. The weather was chilly, matching her somber mood.
Returning to their hometown in the dead of night, few noticed their departure. Lyla, Keily, Jude, and Skyler boarded a flight to their destination. Only Lana refused to return, unwilling to face the oppressive memories of the past.
On the plane, silence pervaded among the adults, their faces clouded with worry, especially Lyla, whose expression was stark and somber. The longer the flight, the more anxious she became.
Keily, however, was wide awake with excitement, flitting between seats, teasing Skyler and playing games with Jude. The prospect of settling down in a stable home, as Lyla promised, thrilled her. It was a dream come true—having a place to call home, free from the shadows that had pursued them.
“Keily, aren’t you tired from all that running around?” Lyla asked as Keily, finally exhausted, climbed onto her lap, reaching for a glass of water. Lyla stopped her, aware of how dangerous it could be for Keily’s delicate heart condition to drink too quickly after exertion.
Despite Lyla’s frequent warnings, Keily’s playful nature often overpowered caution. “Mom, you’re so fussy! I’m bored. How much longer till we arrive?” Keily pouted, squirming in Lyla’s embrace.
Lyla glanced at her watch, her eyes glazing over with thought. “Not long now… we’ll be home very soon…”
