“Oh God…”

  She slid down onto the floor. His face wouldn’t leave her mind. Her thoughts were a chaotic storm, spinning wildly.

  Did that really happen? she wondered.

  “I must have lost my mind.”

  She laughed and cried at the same time. Pleasant shivers kept racing down her spine, curling around her hips and ending in a sharp, almost paralyzing ache low in her body. If Amelia had ever felt anything like this before, she had completely forgotten that desire—when fused with happiness—could manifest so intensely.

  Her entire body trembled, aching for the cause of it all to return and take care of her properly.

  In that moment, she couldn’t think about what she had been through. About the years of fear. About her panic at the very thought of physical closeness with men.

  She surrendered completely to the present.

  She stood up. Her legs felt like cotton. Barely steady, she made it to the bathroom. The mirror hit her brutally—reminding her where she had been just an hour ago.

  She remembered Jack. Everything that had happened that day.

  But she couldn’t feel it the same way anymore.

  What dominated her thoughts now was the mysterious man from her dreams—and their meeting in the waking world.

  “Okay, Miss Phelps,” she murmured to her reflection, taking a deep breath. “We’ll handle this.”

  She smiled at herself and instinctively touched her lips as the memory of the kiss flared again.

  Nothing else mattered.

  Problems? Not now.

  Happiness—something she hadn’t felt in years—had returned.

  At least for a moment.

  The next morning.

  “Where were you?” Julia asked.

  Her voice was guarded, emotionally armored. She didn’t even look at Amelia when she entered the room.

  “By the lake. I needed to think. I’m sorry I didn’t answer.”

  “I was worried.”

  “I know.” Amelia stepped closer and hugged her tightly. “I’m sorry.”

  Julia stiffened, then pulled back slightly, studying her daughter.

  “Jesus…” she whispered in disbelief.

  If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  Amelia froze. Panic surged. Black eyes flashed through her mind. She looked down at herself, checking—irrationally—if everything was still in place or if she was glowing.

  Julia burst out laughing.

  Then she caught herself when she saw Amelia’s fear.

  “Easy,” she said gently, placing a hand on her shoulder. “You look beautiful, my dear. Like you’ve gone back to high school.”

  “What?” Amelia blinked.

  “Your face. Your eyes.” Julia’s voice trembled. “I don’t know what happened yesterday, but it might be the best therapy you’ve ever had.”

  Amelia rushed to the mirror.

  The sight startled her just as much. Her eyes shone an intense, vivid green—like polished emeralds. Her skin glowed with color. Her hair, once dull and tangled, fell in healthy copper curls over her shoulders.

  She smiled.

  Him - she thought.

  Suddenly, she felt hands on her arms. An embrace. Warm. Familiar.

  If she hadn’t been alone in the bathroom, she would have melted into it—but now fear slammed into her. She backed into the shower cabin, clutching her chest.

  “Everything okay?” Julia called.

  “I—I slipped,” Amelia replied once her throat unlocked. She rushed out of the bathroom, still feeling as if someone remained behind her.

  “Quite a change, huh?” Julia laughed.

  Luckily, she didn’t see how pale Amelia had gone.

  “And to think,” Amelia said lightly, forcing her voice steady, “all it took was one good night’s sleep.”

  “Well then,” Julia replied, unusually without hesitation or doubt, “it was worth coming home.”

  That alone was shocking.

  “I’ve got a night shift today,” Julia added. “We can deal with the renovation.”

  “Perfect. Let’s visit the second design studio.”

  Julia watched her daughter closely. The tone of her voice—calm, grounded—felt unreal after everything Amelia had learned the day before.

  “You’ve already been to one?” Julia asked.

  “Yes. I’m meeting the other today. Both have great portfolios.”

  “Then we’ll see. Afterward, we can do some shopping—the fridge is empty.”

  “Sure. But you’ll have to get to work on your own. I’m meeting Maya after four.”

  “I’ll manage,” Julia smiled.

  After a quick breakfast, they went out together.

  “Hey! Over here!”

  Maja turned, waving. Her face first formed a forced smile—one Amelia deliberately ignored—then disbelief.

  “Wow. I didn’t recognize you. Spa day yesterday?”

  The change in Amelia’s appearance distracted her from what she feared this meeting was really about.

  “No,” Amelia said calmly, cutting her off. “I finally slept.”

  She didn’t let Maya recover.

  “After the cemetery, we’ll go to the Armenian café. I’ll drive you home.”

  Maya nearly collapsed against the car.

  She remembered last night. The panicked call from Jack—before Amelia had even phoned from the lake. She knew the truth was out.

  They drove in silence.

  At the grave of Hana Knot, Amelia placed flowers and lit a candle quietly. Guilt pricked at her—she couldn’t fully focus, her thoughts circling how to begin. Should she talk about Jack? About the impossible meeting from the night before?

  Maja, meanwhile, felt sick with shame. She had betrayed her friend—and lived in denial for years, hoping the truth would never surface.

  “I know about Jack,” Amelia said suddenly. “Everything.”

  Maya choked on her food.

  “How did he find out?” Amelia asked evenly.

  “Am… I’m so sorry,” Maya whispered, voice breaking. “I apologized to him. I’ll regret this forever. But I couldn’t take it anymore. Sylwia’s lies—she was destroying him. And you were leaving the next morning…”