Jayden’s eyes flashed: “What time is it now?”
The lawyer checked his watch and responded anxiously, “It’s 11:06.”
Would Mr. Lewis fire him? He’d done everything he could.
In the next moment, a gust of wind rushed past him, and the car door slammed shut.
Dust flew as the car sped away into the distance, leaving the lawyer staring in dismay.
He extended his hand, muttering, “Mr. Lewis, that’s my new car. Please drive carefully!”
Jayden stood in the middle of the crowded airport terminal, watching as people hurried by with their luggage, each with a destination.
The entire world felt like it was spinning indefinitely, leaving him disoriented. Despite the fact that he felt like he was on fire inside, he felt a chill down his spine. He wanted to move, to chase after them, but his feet felt rooted and lost.
Then, just out of his peripheral vision, he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure slipping through the security checkpoint, holding the hand of a young girl.
“Victoria! Nora!” he exclaimed, sprinting towards them.
A security guard in uniform approached him, politely saying, “Sir, I’m going to need to see your boarding pass and ID.” “Move!” Jayden snarled, swatting the man’s arm aside as he attempted to push his way through.
Two more guards quickly blocked his path, their expressions determined. “I’m sorry, sir, but by regulation, we need to see your boarding pass,” one of them insisted.
Jayden pointed at the distant figures, his eyes blazing. “That’s my wife and child over there! Now, get out of my way!” The guards exchanged a quick, uneasy look, but stood firm. “Sir, without a boarding pass or ID, we can’t let you through,” one of them said calmly.
Jayden threw his wallet and phone at them in one swift motion before striding forward as if nothing could stop him.
“I’m sorry, sir…” The guard blocked his path again, hesitating under Jayden’s intense gaze but remaining firm. “Without a boarding pass, I can’t let you through.”
As he watched, Victoria and Nora disappeared into the security checkpoint. An announcement over the loudspeaker echoed throughout the terminal: “Attention, passengers on the flight to Paris. Final boarding call at Gate 12. Please proceed to the gate with your belongings…”
They were gone. He couldn’t reach them.
The world began to spin, and his vision dimmed as everything seemed to lose colour and sound. It felt like he was tethered to a sinking stone, falling endlessly.
A loud crack echoed as his fists clenched tightly, and blood started to drip from his palm. The droplets splattered across the marble floor, staining the delicate pink floral pattern like crimson blossoms in the harsh light, spreading like a carnivorous flower ready to devour him whole.
Suddenly, a strong hand clapped his shoulder.
“Jayden, what are you doing?”
The familiar voice seemed to come from a distance, drawing him back. He stiffened and stared at the blurry figure in front of him.
A hand waved in front of his face, gradually bringing the image into focus.
“Victoria…”
Jayden stumbled forward and drew her into a tight embrace, his arms gradually tightening as if he couldn’t quite believe she existed. He buried his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling her scent deeply.
At that point, he was certain. She was here. She was real.
Tears flowed from his eyes, soaking her shoulder. She felt the warmth and shivered, her eyes welling up as she opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out. Instead, she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly.
A piercing wail abruptly interrupted the moment.
Jayden and Victoria looked up to see Nora tugging on Victoria’s dress, one hand pointing to the pram. “Mommy, Zion is crying!”
Victoria gently drew back, scooping up the baby and rocking him, her voice soft and soothing.
Jayden knelt to pick up Nora, wrapping one arm around her and the other around Victoria, drawing them both in close alongside the baby. His voice was a harsh whisper. “Victoria, we’re never going to be apart again.”
“Never again,” Victoria said, smiling through her tears.
