I woke up to the soft pressure of lips against mine, a lingering warmth that sent a shiver down my spine.
"Sleeping beauty," Derick whispered, his voice laced with amusement.
I stretched lazily, blinking up at him. His face was close, his dark eyes filled with something tender. The scent of fresh coffee and butter filled the air, making my stomach rumble. I turned my head and saw a tray beside me—golden pancakes, eggs, and a steaming cup of coffee.
"You did this?" I asked, my voice still husky from sleep.
"I made it for you. Hope you like it," he said, watching me intently.
I propped myself up on my elbows, my heart swelling at the gesture. "It looks perfect, Derick. Thank you."
He chuckled, handing me the coffee. "Try it first before thanking me. You might change your mind."
I took a sip, the rich warmth of it spreading through me. "Mmm. It's good. You might just have a secret talent."
"Well, I had to impress you somehow," he said, grinning. "I figured food was my best shot."
I laughed softly, but inside, my emotions twisted. Derick had changed. The man I once despised for his arrogance now showered me with love, gifts, and undivided attention. He treated me like a queen, and despite myself, I had fallen for him. Hard.
But every time I looked into his trusting eyes, guilt clawed at my chest. The memory of my affair with Jackson was a shadow that refused to fade.
I had misjudged Derick, blinded by our rocky start. Now, he was everything I had ever prayed for in a man. And yet, the secret I carried threatened to shatter everything.
One evening, we sat at the dining table—me, Derick, and Jackson. The tension was suffocating. Jackson's gaze bore into me, unreadable yet too knowing.
Derick, oblivious, smiled as he poured wine into my glass. "So, Jackson, how's work been? You seem... distracted lately."
Jackson swirled his wine, his expression unreadable. "Work's fine," he said flatly, then turned his eyes to me. "Some things, though, have been... unsettling."
I swallowed hard, nearly choking on my wine. I could feel my hands trembling slightly under the table.
Derick frowned, glancing between us. "Is everything okay with the both of you?"
I forced a smile, nodding. "Of course. Just tired, that's all."
Jackson said nothing. He held my gaze a second longer, then abruptly stood and left the table.
Derick sighed. "What's up with him lately? He used to be—"
"He's just dealing with personal issues," I quickly interrupted. "I'll check in on him."
Derick studied me for a moment but finally nodded. "Alright. Just seems like something's off."
I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding, my heart hammering against my ribs.
The next day, I found Jackson alone in the garden. He leaned against a tree, staring into the distance, his jaw tight.
I hesitated before stepping forward. "Hey, Jackson."
He turned sharply, his eyes cold. "Oh, so now you remember me?" His voice dripped with sarcasm.
I exhaled sharply. "Don't do this. We both know what happened was a mistake. We agreed—"
"We?" He scoffed, stepping closer. "You mean you decided. You called what we had a mistake."
I swallowed, steadying myself. "You know what I mean, Jackson."
"Do I? Or are you just comfortable now, so I should disappear?" His voice was sharp, his eyes burning with something I couldn't name—anger, maybe hurt.
"Jackson, please. This is hard enough as it is."
He let out a bitter laugh. "Hard for you? You get to play happy with Derick while I pretend none of this happened. How convenient."
I shook my head, my voice quiet. "I never meant to hurt you."
He clenched his jaw and turned to leave, but I grabbed his arm. "Jackson, wait."
He sighed, not looking at me. "What?"
"Your father is asking questions about your attitude."
That made him pause. He glanced at me, his eyes darkening. "And what about it?"
"Just... let's not make things worse. Let's at least act normal when he's around."
After a long silence, he nodded. "Fine. But don't expect me to pretend this doesn't exist."
As soon as he walked away, I hurried inside, my nerves unraveling. Moments later, Derick returned, holding a small velvet box.
"For you," he said, his eyes twinkling.
I opened it and gasped. Diamond earrings—my favorite color.
"Derick... they're beautiful."
"Not as beautiful as you," he murmured, pressing a kiss to my forehead.
I melted into his embrace. Our love had blossomed into something profound, something real. We were happy. Everything was perfect.
Until my past came knocking.
And this time, it wasn't going away.