Chapter 14
“Timothy T
Sheila called his name softly.
Timothy turned around.
Fireworks exploded overhead, casting a bright glow across the park. Timothy glanced back toward the spot where he thought he’d seen Jessica, but she was gone.
In the flicker of light and shadow, Jessica had already slipped into the crowd.
Blinking, Timothy scanned the area, his sharp features tightening with concern as he searched for any sign of her.
Sheila noticed him looking around and glanced about as well, puzzled. “Timothy, did you spot someone you know?”
“No,” he replied, his voice flat.”
Just then, a street vendor approached with a basket of roses, his pitch practiced and cheerful. “Sir, these roses are fresh this evening. Roses symbolize rare beauty–why not buy one for your wife? It means she’s one of a kind, and shows just how deep and sincere your feelings are.”
Sheila was about to refuse, but Timothy was already reaching for his wallet. He handed the vendor a few bills and accepted a single rose.
Up above, more fireworks lit the sky. Jessica found them dazzling, almost painfully bright. The display wasn’t as lovely or romantic as she’d imagined. Maybe it was romantic, but that feeling belonged to someone else.
She turned and walked away.
Timothy offered the rose to Sheila.
Sheila blushed, a smile tugging at her lips. “Timothy… isn’t this a bit much?”
“It’s nothing,” he said. “These vendors have it tough–it’s just a way to support them.”
Sheila’s smile faltered for a second, but quickly returned as she accepted the rose, her mood visibly lifted.
The fireworks show drew to a close.?
Henry wasn’t ready for the night to end; he wanted to light some fireworks himself.”
Down by the lake, in a designated safe area, a few vendors were selling sparklers and small fireworks.
Timothy bought a generous handful and spent the evening at the lakeside with Henry and Sheila, helping them set off the fireworks.
Meanwhile, Jessica left the old town, pausing outside to close her eyes and take a deep breath.!!
1
She’d come to Oakwood to clear her head–and to sneak a peek at the comic convention, hoping to catch a glimpse of Ines. No such luck.”
No matter where she went, it seemed she couldn’t escape stumbling upon Timothy, Sheila, and their son…
She resolved to watch Ines from afar tomorrow, then leave town as soon as she could.
Back at her hotel, Jessica packed her things, checked out, and booked a room elsewhere.
The next morning.”
Jessica arrived early at the Oakwood Exhibition Hall.
Before leaving her new hotel, she’d gone to some lengths to disguise herself: sunhat, sunglasses, mask–her face completely hidden. She couldn’t bear for Ines to see her..
She was one of the first guests inside; the exhibition hall was still sparsely populated.}
After a while, an excited voice tang out nearby.!!
“Ines is here!”
Jessica quickly ducked behind a column.
She peeked out and saw Ines enter, trailed by several people. Two assistants carried a large, framed artwork draped in a crimson cloth.
Ines pointed to the most prominent spot in the hall. “Hang this one right here.””
“Ines, is this your latest piece?” someone behind her asked.
All the other artworks had already been arranged, but the central display had waited, reserved.”
Ines smiled mysteriously. “You’ll see soon eno
“So secretive–this must be Ines’s newest work.“%
“If she treats it like this, it must be something incredible
“I can’t wait!”
A crowd had started to gather–Ines’s fans, eager and murmuring with anticipation.”
Jessica risked a glance, watching Ines from a distance.
It had been seven years. There were a few silver strands in Ines’s hair now…
Jessica felt tears sting her eyes.”
She’d only meant to catch a glimpse of Ines before slipping away. But seeing how much this piece meant to Ines, she found herself wanting to stay, too.
As more people filled the hall, Jessica no longer felt the need to hide. In the crowd, she was)
Mer face–safely anonymous.
