FIVE YEARS LATER

STONE HEART BUILDING

I was buried in spreadsheets again, the blue light from my laptop screen glowing against an empty coffee cup. My stomach was already complaining from missing lunch. My head hurt, but I kept typing like nothing was wrong. There was no time to slow down. No time to rest. Just work, work, and more work.

Then my phone rang.

I blinked. I saw the name of my daughter, Marga.

Her name alone could make the whole world stop.

I picked it up without thinking. “Hi, baby.”

“Mommy…” Her voice was small—soft like she was about to cry. “What time are you coming home?”

I froze. My eyes darted to the clock. Almost 3:00 p.m. I felt that familiar punch of guilt right in my chest. My baby had been waiting. Again.

“I’ll be home early today,” I said, already reaching to shut the laptop.

“We’ll go to the mall, okay? I’ll buy you ice cream. And maybe… a toy. Just us two. Mommy and Marga.”

There was silence on the other end before she spoke. “Promise?”

“I swear, my love.” My voice cracked a little. My heart was already halfway home.

“Okay!! I wait here! Love you, Mommy!”

“I love you more, baby.”

I ended the call and grabbed my bag, but before I could sling it over my shoulder, the phone lit up again.

Elijah. The General Manager of Stone Heart group.

I hesitated. Then answered. “Hello?”

“Miss Isabella,” he said smoothly. “Quick one. Dinner tonight? Talk about the Filomeno Project. Nothing formal. My treat.”

I took a breath. “I appreciate the invite, Elijah. But I already promised my daughter I’d spend the evening with her. She’s been waiting all week.”

He paused, then chuckled. “She wins. Can’t argue with that.”

I smiled, just a little. “Rain check?”

“Monday lunch. Enjoy your time with her.”

“I will. Thanks for understanding.”

I left the office at exactly 3:30. For once, the traffic gods were kind. I pulled up in the driveway just before 4:00.

And there she was.

Marga came flying out of the house barefoot, hair all over the place, arms wide like she was going to catch the wind.

“Mommy!!!”

She crashed into me, her tiny arms wrapping around my legs, then up around my neck as I scooped her up.

"You came back early!” she beamed. “You really did it!”

I held her close. “Of course I did. You're my favorite person in the world.”

“Let’s go, Mom! I’m so excited,” she said, bouncing on her toes with a wide grin.

“Just wait for me here, okay? I need to change my clothes. Give me five minutes.”

“Okay, Mom. I’ll wait,” she replied, nodding eagerly, her smile never fading.

Around 5 p.m., we got to the mall entrance. It was packed, full of noise and weekend energy. Marga was still singing in the backseat, messing up most of the lyrics but shouting the parts she knew like she owned the song. I kept looking at her in the rearview mirror—hair all over the place, cheeks still a little sticky from juice, eyes shining like she’d been waiting for this all week.

As soon as we walked inside the restaurant, she grabbed my hand tightly, like she was scared I’d disappear again.

“Garlic chicken first! Then pizza!” she declared, tugging me excitedly.

I laughed. “Alright, alright, slow down, my love. We’re not running a race.”

“My tummy is, though,” she giggled. “It’s already talking.”

We got a table in the corner, just how she liked it. She bounced in her seat, the smell of food making her eyes light up.

“Mmm… it smells soooo yummy!”

I placed the order, smiling.

“You’ve been talking about this all week.”

“Because garlic chicken is my favorite. And pizza is my second favorite. And... orange juice, please?”

“Coming right up.”

She clapped like it was the best day of her life. And maybe it was.

We were almost done eating when I heard my name.

“Well, well. Look who it is.”

I turned.

Lila.

Marga squealed. “Aunt Lila!”

Lila scooped her up with kisses, and I stood to hug her.

“It’s been a while,” I said.

“I saw you from the hallway,” she replied. “You look… tired.”

I gave a hollow laugh. “Work never ends.”

“You’re doing great, Isa,” she said sincerely. “Can I steal her for a bit?”

“Sure. Just let me take this call,” I said, seeing my phone light up again. Elijah. Again.

I sighed. “I’ll be quick. Can you watch her for a minute?”

“Of course.”

Lila nodded and pulled Marga onto her lap. I stepped outside to take the call. Nothing urgent—just a quick question about Monday. I ended it fast.

“I’m with my daughter,” I said.

But then a different voice came through.

“Sorry to interrupt you, Miss Isabella. I’m at your place right now… waiting for you.”

“What?” I blinked. “We’ll be home late, so please go home. We’ll talk on Monday.”

“Alright. I brought flowers for you… I hope you like them.”

I didn’t answer. I didn’t know what to say. I wasn’t ready for anything romantic. I didn’t want him assuming there was something between us. This was supposed to be work and strictly professional. That’s all I ever wanted.

I let out a deep breath and walked back inside.

But the table was empty.

No Marga.

No Lila.

My chest tightened.

Where are they?

I dialed Lila immediately. She answered on the second ring, sounding calm.

“Hey, don’t panic,” she said quickly. “She needed to pee. I took her to the restroom. Be right back.”

I let out a shaky breath. “Okay. Thanks.”

I sat. Waited.

Five minutes passed. Ten.

Fifteen.

No sign of them.

I stood. Looked toward the restroom hallway. Too crowded.

Then I turned to the right corner and saw someone from my past unexpectedly.

What a coincidence, my ex-husband, Ezekiel, with his woman.

My body moved before I could even think.

I started walking towards them.