Chapter 3: The Return of the Unforgettable
The Thomas family estate was alive with excitement. Laughter echoed through the grand hall, mixing with the sharp scent of perfume and the soft clink of glasses. The chandeliers above glittered like stars, casting a golden glow over the crowd of Owathe’s elite.
Tonight, they celebrated the return of the head of the family’s goddaughter, a woman who had been away for years. The Thomas family had always held power in Owathe, but they were the town's pulse tonight.
“Lucas, isn’t Belinda coming back today too?” Ryan Adams asked casually, his voice cutting through the buzz of conversation.
Lucas froze, his grip tightening on the wine glass in his hand. He didn’t answer immediately, the question hanging between them like a weight. He took a slow sip, the sharp taste of wine filling his mouth, but it did little to drown the growing unease in his chest.
“Yes,” Lucas replied finally, his voice smooth but distant.
Ryan’s smile was wide, laced with mockery. “It’s about time!” he chuckled, his eyes flicking to Verena, standing beside Lucas. “The woman you married should’ve been long gone. Congratulations, Verena. Soon, you’ll be Mrs. Clark, no doubt.”
Verena's smile was warm, though her eyes betrayed her, and she was filled with longing. "Being by Lucas's side is all that matters to me," she said softly, the words laced with unspoken desire.
Lucas didn’t meet her gaze. He tapped his glass, his eyes distant. The silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken thoughts.
Ryan, sensing an opening, leaned in closer. “Verena, it’s clear how much Lucas adores you. Once he’s done with Belinda, I’m sure it’ll be just a matter of time before you get that title.”
Lucas remained silent, his expression unreadable. Verena was about to speak when a noise at the entrance caught everyone's attention.
The sound of heels clicking sharply against marble floors broke the conversation, turning all eyes toward the door.
And then she appeared.
A woman in a red gown that caught the light like flames dancing in the dark. The dress shimmered a deep V-neck that led to a cascade of sequins, hugging her curves before flaring out in a mermaid hem that swayed as she moved. The elegance in her every step was magnetic, but her presence—her undeniable power—captured the room.
Her features were sharp and perfectly sculpted, but her eyes—those luminous, piercing eyes—held everyone. They glowed under the dark eyeliner, drawing in every gaze like a magnet. She didn’t need to speak to make an impact. Her beauty was a force, an aura that consumed the space around her.
“Oh my God! Who is that?” Ryan’s voice broke the stunned silence, his jaw nearly on the floor. “How have we never seen her before?”
“Stunning doesn’t even cover it,” Verena murmured, her smile barely masking the flicker of jealousy in her eyes.
Lucas’s gaze narrowed, his eyes locking on the woman with a tension that crackled in the air. He was still lost in the weight of her presence for a moment.
