Tony's POV
I couldn't stop thinking about her.
Debra.
The woman I left behind years before... The same woman who had just met my gaze tonight and pretended that I was a faint recollection.
But to me, she wasn't a memory.
The one thing I regretted most was her.
I sat in my car's backseat and looked out the window at the hazy city lights. Even though the event was done, she was still on my mind. She had changed on the journey, becoming colder and stronger.
All night, she had been avoiding me. She had gotten away before I could stop her, even after that fucking photo of us went viral.
However, I refused to allow her to vanish once more.
I turned to my most trusted aide, Mark, and gave him the instruction, "Find out everything about Debra Morgan." "Everything—where she lives, where she works."
Always effective, Mark nodded. "Immediately, sir."
I tightened my jaw and slumped back in my chair.
Debra had something to conceal.
And I was about to discover what.
It wasn't just Debra who avoided me.
I began getting odd messages—blocked numbers, anonymous emails—as soon as the image made headlines.
I ignored them at first. However, then
A caution.
"Tony, stay away from her. Some things are better left unsaid.
I looked at the flashing lettering on my phone screen, the words burning in my thoughts.
I wasn't supposed to be close to Debra.
Someone was afraid of what I would find.
I was standing in my office with my other hand balled into a fist and my phone in a tight hold.
Now there was no question about it.
Our history had been tampered with by someone.
However, why? Who is it?
I inhaled deeply before dialing a number. When my private investigator responded, I said, "Jacob." "You must look into what transpired with Debra after I departed. I want all the missing details.
Jacob paused. "You believe something occurred?"
I said, gazing out the window at the city's skyline, "I don't think." "I'm positive it did."
I was determined to find out the truth.
Jacob called two days later to share his results.
Furthermore, nothing made sense.
While looking through files in my office, Jacob remarked, "Tony, she didn't just leave town." She disappeared. No employment history and no public appearances over several months. Then all of a sudden she's back, a whole different lady with a new identity and job.
I scowled as I attempted to solve the puzzle. "That is not a coincidence."
"No, it doesn't." Jacob moved a file in my direction. The oddest aspect is that someone paid off all of her debts just before she vanished.
I raised my head abruptly. "What?"
Jacob gave a nod. "A substantial amount of money from an unidentified source was transferred into her account. And she disappeared from the world as soon as that occurred.
My chest constricted.
She had been evicted by someone.
And I hadn't even asked about it.
I had always thought she had moved on and had desired to go.
Now, though, I wasn't certain of anything.
I tightened my grasp as I picked up my phone.
I needed to see her.
I had to get her to speak.
I had to be told the truth.
She was drinking coffee outside a tiny café when I met her, peeking over her shoulder every few seconds.
She felt tense. As though she had planned a mishap.
And I saw it—fear—the instant her eyes locked with mine.
She sprang up swiftly and threw several cash on the table, but I was quicker. Before she could get away, I blocked her way.
"Again, running away from me?" My heart was racing, but I asked in a calm voice.
She took a deep breath. "I'm not going to run."
I cocked my head. "Then take a seat."
She briefly gave off the impression that she wanted to say no. However, she sighed in frustration and sank back into her chair.
With a steady gaze, I sat down in the chair across from her.
"Debra, we need to talk."
She folded her arms. "There is nothing to discuss."
"There is something to discuss about everything."
She winced. Almost. However, I managed to catch it.
I learned a little. "What caused you to leave?"
She paused. "You already understand why."
"No, I don't." I looked at her intently. I'm aware that you disappeared. I am aware that you were paid off. And I'm aware that you're concealing something.
She balled her fingers into fists. "I have nothing to explain to you."
I lost patience. "What happened to you, Debra? Damn you!"
Anger, guilt, or pain flashed in her eyes.
However, she remained silent.
I shook my head and let out a deep exhale. "All right. If you refuse to tell me— My voice was icy as I took out my phone. "I'll discover for myself."
Her breath caught. "Don't Tony."
It's too late.
I pressed the button to make the call.
I said, "Mark," as soon as he responded. "Please send me a list of all the things Debra has been hiding from me."
I could see the fear in her eyes.
I was aware of my nerve-wracking.
I yanked my phone away from her as she reached for it. "Debra, what are you so terrified of?"
She seems to want to shout.
Instead, she said in a whisper, "Stop digging."
My blood became icy.
"Why?" I insisted.
Her mouth quivered. "Because you will regret it if you do."
Debra had never looked so exposed to me. So afraid.
However, before I could exert further pressure—
My phone began to vibrate.
Mark sent a message.
Just one sentence.
Everything changed with a single sentence.
"Tony, there's a child."
I went cold. I could hardly breathe as I read the words over and over again, my pulse roaring in my ears.
A kid?
I slowly raised my eyes to look at Debra. She was pale now.
She opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out.
All of the puzzle's missing pieces then abruptly fell into place.
The reason she had been avoiding me.
The reason she didn't want me digging into her past.
Because it wasn't just her past.
It was my past, too. My chair scuffed the sidewalk as I got to my feet.
"Be honest with me, Debra." My voice was quiet, deadly calm. "Do I have a child?"
Tears welled up in her eyes. She opened her mouth, then shut it.
I balled my fists up. "Answer me."
She swallowed hard. Then, in the smallest, quietest whisper
"Yes."
Everything inside me broke down. My child.
And I had never known. I drew a shaky breath, stepped back, my mind spinning.
But one thing was clear. Everything had changed. Forever.