Chapter 2

Chapter 2 1 YEAR LATER....

BLAIRE I was busy baking a cake for a customer. A year had passed since I left my miserable marriage and found peace in Hawaii. The adjustment to my new life took time as I rebuilt myself. I found some good friends here, and they’re the ones who encouraged me to pursue my love for baking. I started modestly at home, taking orders from friends and their families. Over time, I gained confidence and decided to open my own bakeshop.

Setting up the bakeshop wasn’t easy. I sought advice from friends and learned from their businesses. When I finally opened, it was a moment filled with both excitement and uncertainty. Customers slowly discovered my bakeshop, not just for the delicious treats but also for the sense of community.

The bakeshop expanded, and I hired a small team to meet the growing demand. We worked on new recipes and designs, always aiming for excellence. The bakeshop became a symbol of my transformation from a painful past to a joyful present.

“Mind if I cut a line?” The voice, so familiar, instantly drew my attention.

I swiveled my head in the direction of the voice and was greeted by Ethan’s warm and captivating smile. He had been one of the very first people I met in this quaint town, and he had taken it upon himself to be my guide, helping me navigate this new place until I felt truly at home.

My lips curled into a reciprocating smile as I shifted my focus from the baking in front of me. I reached for a towel and wiped the flour from my hands onto my white apron. “I’m afraid I can’t do that. I wouldn’t want my patrons to think I’m playing favorites,” I quipped, letting a touch of playful banter color our exchange.

Ethan playfully clutched his chest, feigning injury. “You wound me, my love,” he replied with a playful twi nkle in his eyes.

I couldn’t help but shake my head, a fond smile on my lips, as I watched 1/4 00:08 Sun, Jan 21 Chapter 2 him revel in his playful antics. It was moments like these that made our connection so special-the shared humor and lightheartedness that brightened our days.

“You seem to have a lot of orders today. Do you need my help?” he asked.

“No, I’m fine. I’m almost done. Sonia will handle the rest,” I replied.

“So, you’re free now? Can I steal your afternoon for a quick stroll in the city?” he asked with excitement.

I was acutely aware of Ethan’s feelings for me, as he had been quite vocal about them. His affection was evident in every gaze, every word, and every gesture. Yet, I found myself hesitating. I had just extricated myself from one emotional entanglement, and the wounds were still fresh. The thought of plunging headlong into another complicated situation gave me pause.

I was about to answer him when my phone suddenly rang. “Hold that thought.” I said, lifting my finger up. I walked toward the corner before I looked at my phone. I initially thought it was another client. But I frowned when I saw an unregistered number. I shrugged my shoulders, thinking it might be a referral and this would be a new client. I answered the phone. and held it closer to my ears. “Hello?” I answered.

“Mrs. Foster.... said the voice from the other line. Hearing someone call me that name sent a shiver down my spine. It’s been so long since I last used that name.

“Banks,” I corrected him. “May I know who this is, please?”

“This is Hubert. I am calling on his behalf.” It was my father’s secretary.

“What’s wrong?” I immediately knew something was wrong. My father wast the only one who knew my number, but he hasn’t tried to contact me since I left. That is why getting a call from his secretary after all this time only means one thing: something is wrong.

“He suffered from a heart attack, and he requested your presence. If you could come to the house, Chapter 2 “I’ll be there. Send me the address,” I answered without hesitation. Not matter how peaceful my life is here, I can’t just stay here and ignore my father. He might not be the best husband for cheating on my mother and marrying the woman he cheated with.

But he’s always been a good father to me.

“Is everything okay, Blaire?” Ethan inquired as soon as I hung up the phone.

“I need to go home. Can you please take care of my shop while I’m gone?” I requested a sense of urgency in my voice.

Ethan furrowed his brow, concern etched on his face. “I’m sure Sonia can handle this on her own. What I’m more worried about is you. Why are you suddenly going home? You’ve always said you hated it there, right?” His worry was palpable, and I knew that he genuinely cared about my well- being.

“It’s my father,” I answered truthfully.

He took a loud breath before speaking again. “Wait for me. I’m coming with you,” he said. He was about to leave when I was quick to grab his arm to stop him.

“Ethan, wait! You don’t have to. I’m fine. You don’t need to come. I’m sure you have a lot of things here that you need to take care of,” I said.

“It can function without me. Don’t worry about it,” he said.

I had nothing to convince him otherwise. But when he was about to leave, his brother bumped into him, rushing, “Ethan! Thank G od you’re here! One of the cattle is about to give birth anytime soon. We need you there,” he said.

He blew a loud sigh as a sign of frustation. “Can’t you handle it without me?”

“We can. But you know, if things go south, you’re the only one who knows how to handle it,” he answered.

00:08 Sun, Jan 21 Chapter 2 He turned in my direction with apologetic eyes. “I’m sorry,” he apologized.

I smiled and said, “I’m fine, Ethan. As I said, you don’t need to come. I’ll call you when I get there.”

“Leave me your address. I’ll follow you there when I can,” he said before. following his brother, who was rushing back to the farm.

I went back to clean up the shop before I started packing my stuff. Just when I was about to leave, my phone rang unexpectedly.

It was an unknown number just like the previous call, but I didn’t notice if it was the same. Without much thinking, I answered the call assuming it was Hubert.

“I’ll call once I’m at the airport,” I quickly said the moment I answered the phone.

“Okay, I’ll pick you up then,” said the familiar baritone voice on the other line. It was too familiar that it sent shiver down my spine.

I was too shock to respond. And before I did, he quickly hang up the phone.

“B asta rd...” I whisper to myself.