GWEN'S POV
The evening breeze wrapped around her like a blanket, but it didn't ease the weight pressing on her chest. Nothing hurt more than knowing the people you loved most could wound you the deepest. Betrayal wasn't new to Gwen, but tonight… Tonight cut too deep.
Her mom had just died, and barely two months later, her dad brought home another woman and said he wanted to marry her. The grief, the betrayal, the suffocating pain — it was all too much. Tears had long dried, but now… now they spilled, hot and bitter, as she stumbled toward the familiar gate.
She needed air. Freedom. Anywhere beyond the walls that held her captive in silence. Somewhere she could just… breathe.
The only place that came to mind was the small restaurant where she and her mother had shared their last meal together. Beautiful memories flickered across her mind, and she almost smiled at the memory of her mother's laughter. The sound lingered, faint but comforting, like it had followed her through the years. But the warmth vanished instantly — her beloved mother was gone.
She walked the familiar path, each step heavy with grief, yet driven by some quiet certainty that sitting in that spot might somehow soothe her heart. She whispered a silent prayer, hoping no one else had claimed her favorite seat.
The street was damp from earlier rain, reflecting the soft glow of streetlights. The universe seemed to mourn with her, as the night breeze brushed her hair gently and carried the faint scent of wet asphalt and jasmine from a nearby garden. Something felt… off about the night, but she shoved the feeling aside. Her burdens were enough to carry. She quickened her pace, trying to shake off the heaviness, and then… she bumped into him.
MATTHEW'S POV
How dare she keep me waiting this long? I've been standing here for nearly an hour, waiting for my secretary to go over next week's schedule. She said she wouldn't be available, but I thought I made myself clear.
Then I see her.
The bump was accidental, but there was something about the way she moved, the way she barely looked up at me… it unnerves me. She mutters a quick apology and keeps walking, as if I were invisible. That rarely happens. Curiosity spikes. Who is this girl… and why does she leave such an impression in just a moment?
GWEN'S POV
I saw a shadowed figure just before entering the restaurant, but I couldn't pause.
The collision was brief, and yet something inside me stirred… a curiosity I couldn't shake, but also a wave of disgust. He reminded me of my father. I've come to believe men can rarely be trusted.
I muttered a quick apology and walked past. I didn't see his face properly. Maybe I'd apologize properly another day. It was a regret I couldn't act on, because I didn't even know who he was.
My face lit up when I saw my favorite seat vacant. I hurried over, still half-afraid someone might take it before me.
I sank into the chair and thought about all that had happened tonight. One thing became clear: tomorrow, I would begin my job search. Tonight would be the last night I spent in that house.
I glanced over at Jeremy, the big guy behind the counter, and waved. He had been my mother's friend and had always treated me like a daughter.
He noticed my sadness immediately and didn't hesitate to walk over. I briefly explained what had happened, though I think he understood I wasn't ready to talk fully yet. He signaled the others to bring me my favorite pizza. The aroma, the warmth, the familiar comfort — it felt like home again. I exhaled slowly, letting the faint relief wash over me, even if just for a moment.
MATTHEW'S POV
He stirred at her intriguingly. The way she walked… in that brief moment it felt like she was limping toward a particular direction. This part of her felt different from the one I noticed when she bumped into me. I felt really curious, and I looked at her intensely. Maybe someone would have thought I acted oddly, but I couldn't help it.
I jerked and came back to my senses. Angrily, I stormed out of the restaurant. I typed harshly on my phone, messaging my secretary to inform her that the contract was over — she was fired.
I did this as I stormed toward my car in the car park and drove off. Tomorrow would really be a long day. The company was planning to employ new fashion models and designers next week.
I had forgotten to get Cena, my daughter, her favorite pizza. I squeezed my face as I recalled it and really couldn't drive back. I need to start planning my apology. She's going to be upset — big time.
But my thoughts kept returning to her. The way she walked, the brief collision… there was something in her I couldn't explain, something that tugged at me even as I focused on work, even as I reminded myself of responsibilities, schedules, and the long day ahead.
Chapter 1 Hook (for cliffhanger)
Even as the car engine hummed beneath me and the city lights blurred past, I couldn't shake the image of her. Something about the way she moved, so fragile yet defiant, lingered in my mind. I didn't know her name, didn't know anything about her… yet a strange certainty told me this wasn't the last time I'd see her.
And somewhere deep inside, I wondered — if fate had collided our paths tonight, was it really an accident?