51 A Timely Detour and a Familiar Shadow


    ra’s POV


    The phone call with Cora was brief and surprisingly unemotional.


    “Mom, are you mad?” Cora asked, her voice small but not particrly remorseful.


    “About what?” I responded, sorting through documents for tomorrow’s tech expo.


    “About me going with Dad and Aunt Vivi without telling you.”


    I paused<b>, </b>pen hovering over my notepad. A year ago, this would have devastated me. Now, I simply felt detached.


    “Were you safe?” I asked.


    “Yeah.”


    “Did you have fun?”


    “So much!” Cora’s voice brightened instantly. “Aunt Vivi taught me how to swim underwater without holding my nose, and Dad let me stay upte watching movies!”


    “Then I’m d you enjoyed yourself,” I said simply.


    A beat of silence followed. Cora seemed thrown by myck of reaction.


    “You’re not going to lecture me?” she asked, suspicion evident in her tone.


    “Would it make a difference if I did?”


    “No,” she admitted. “But Grandma Eleanor says you might be upset.”


    Of course Eleanor would say that. Always trying to manufacture emotion between family members who had grown apart.


    “I have a big presentation tomorrow,” I told her. “Just call next time, okay?”


    “Okay!” Cora agreed, sounding almost disappointed by how easily she’d escaped repercussion. “Bye, Mom!”


    I set my phone down and returned to my preparation. Julian had trusted me with presenting ourtest Al innovation at the expo. Mr. Newman would be among the


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    51 A Timely Detour and a Familiar Shadow


    observers. My stomach tightened at the thought.


    Zachary Newman. The tech mogul who had once told me I was throwing away my potential by abandoning my career for Damien. Hlls words had haunted me for years.


    Sleep came fitfully that night. By morning, I was already on edge.


    I dressed carefully in a navy pantsuit, applied minimal makeup, and checked my presentation materials one final time. Everything needed to be perfect. This was my chance to prove I hadn’t wasted my talents.


    The universe, however, had other ns.


    Halfway to the venue, my car made an rming noise. Smoke seeped from under the hood. I guided the vehicle to the side of the road just as the engine diedpletely.


    “No, no, no, I muttered, checking the time. Twenty minutes until my presentation.


    I called for roadside assistance, pacing beside my car. That’s when the second disaster struck. A distracted driver rear–ended my already immobile vehicle, causing a minor traffic jam.


    Police arrived. Questions were asked. Forms were filled out. My anxiety skyrocketed as precious minutes ticked away.


    “This vehicle isn’t going anywhere today, ma’am,” the officer informed me sympathetically.


    I was calcting the likelihood of finding a taxi when a sleek ck car pulled up themotion. The window rolled down.


    beside


    “Car trouble?” Beck asked, his expression unreadable.


    My breath caught. Beck was Damien’s right–hand man at Thorne Industries. We’d never interacted without Damien present.


    “I’m fine,” I said automatically, though my situation clearly indicated otherwise.


    Beck’s eyes moved to the damaged car and the building traffic behind it. “You’re headed to the Euclid Tech Expo, right? Julian mentioned you’re presenting today.”


    I nodded stiffly.


    “I’m going there myself,” he said, opening the passenger door. “I can drop you off.”


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    51 A Timely Dotour and a Familiar Shadow


    My options were limited, and time was running out. “What about my car?”


    “I’ll have someone take care of it.” He made a brief call, then looked back at me


    expectantly.


    With reluctance, I slid into the passenger seat, clutch my chest.


    my presentation materials to


    The first few minutes passed in awkward silence. Beck focused on navigating through traffic while I stared out the window, acutely aware of how strange this situation was.


    “Thank you,” I finally said. “This was… unexpected.”


    Beck nodded, eyes on the road. “We’ve known each other for years, ra. A ride isn’t a big deal.


    His phone rang, and he answered through the car’s system, immediately diving into business jargon with someone named Thompson. I was grateful for the interruption. It gave me space topose myself and review mental notes for my presentation.


    Beck ended his call just as we approached the venue. “Another one,” he muttered, answering a second call.


    The expo center loomed ahead, its modern architecture gleaming in the morning sun. People in business attire streamed toward the entrance.


    “I can get out here,” I offered as we neared the drop–off zone.


    Beck nodded, still listening to his caller. He pulled over smoothly.


    “Thank you again,” I said, gathering my things.


    He covered the phone’s microphone briefly. “Good luck with your presentation. Then he returned to his call.


    I hurried into the building, checking the time. Five minutes to spare. Relief washed over me as I made my way to the correct hall.


    Outside the presentation room, attendeesworked in small groups. I scanned the crowd, looking for Julian or any familiar face from YodaVision.


    A familiarugh cut through the ambient noise. My head turned instinctively.


    Vivienne stood near the refreshment table, radiant in a cream–colored dress. Beside


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    51 A Timely Detour and a Familiar Shadow


    her was Alistair Dubois, her father, in conversation with someone I didn’t recognize. Lennox, her brother, lounged nearby, scrolling through his phone.


    They hadn’t noticed me yet. I started to turn away when Vivienne’s eyes widened with interest. I followed her gaze.


    Beck had entered the building, heading purposefully across the lobby. Vivienne


    excused herself from her father and moved toward him. Their interaction was brief–a few exchanged words, a touch on his arm, a polite nod from Beck before he continued


    on his way


    I ducked into the presentation hall before any of them could spot me.


    Julian waved from the front row, his expression brightening as I approached.


    “You made it!” he said, taking my bag. “I was getting worried.”


    “Car trouble,” I exined, settling beside him. “Beck gave me a ride.”


    Julian’s eyebrows shot up. “Beck? As in Damien’s shadow?”


    “The very same.” I removed my presentation notes from my bag. “Strange day already.”


    “Well, at least you’re here now.” Julian smiled, but something in his expression seemed


    off.


    “What is it?” I asked.


    Julian leaned closer, lowering his voice. “Mr. Newman is attending the expo today too.”


    I froze, my eyes widening. The relief I’d felt upon arriving on time evaporated instantly.


    Zachary Newman. The man who had once told me I was throwing away my life by choosing Damien over my career. The tech visionary whose opinion mattered more


    than I cared to admit.


    “When?” My voice was barely audible.


    “He’s scheduled to make an appearance during the afternoon sessions,” Julian replied. “But knowing him, he could show up anywhere, anytime.”


    My hands trembled slightly as I arranged my notes. After seven years, I would face the man whose disapproval had haunted me through my darkest moments. Only now, I wasn’t Damien’s devoted wife anymore. I was bing my own person again.


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    51 A Timely Detour and a Familiar Shadow


    Whether that would impress Zachary Newman remained to be seen.


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