Chapter 20
Jason stood on a street in Southcrest, the sea breeze carrying its salty moisture rushing toward him. He gazed at the unfamiliar yet bustling city before him, his expression dark and worn.
A month had passed. He’d searched nearly every corner of Southcrest but still found no trace of Maya.
Benjamin’s lead only confirmed she’d bought a ticket to Southcrest, but where could she be hiding in a town this small?
Jason rubbed his temples. Days of relentless searching had left his eyes bloodshot. He glanced at his watch.
It was already 9:00 pm. The pedestrians on the street were gradually thinning out.
4-
He wandered aimlessly, his gaze scanning every passing figure, afraid to miss even the slightest possibility. Suddenly, his steps came to an abrupt halt.
Not far ahead, a woman in a white dress stood with her back to him under a streetlight. Her slender silhouette, the way her hair lifted slightly in the breeze–everything reminded him of Maya.
Jason’s heart contracted violently, his blood seeming to boil in an instant. Almost instinctively, he rushed forward and grabbed the woman’s wrist, his voice hoarse and urgent.
“Maya!”
The woman jumped in fright and whipped around, revealing a completely unfamiliar face.
“Who the hell are you?” She panicked, jerking her hand free and stepping back.
Jason stood frozen, the light in his eyes instantly extinguished. It wasn’t her. He looked out at the sea of people and let out
He pulled out his phone and dialed Benjamin. “Keep searching… Turn Southcrest upside down if you have to. Find her.‘
After hanging up, he looked up at the night sky, his expression stubborn and almost manic.
“Maya, where are you?”
a
bitter laugh.
Morning sunlight filtered through white curtains as Maya opened her window. The humid sea breeze, carrying a faint salty scent, rushed toward her. She took a deep breath, her lips curving into a small smile.
She’d used part of her money to purchase this bed–and–breakfast. It was a three–story building facing the ocean, with a courtyard full of roses and lisianthus she’d planted herself.
Every morning, she would cut fresh flowers to place in each guest room.
“Maya, today’s breakfast smells amazing!” Several college students staying for summer vacation waved at her from downstairs, laughing.
Maya’s eyes crinkled with warmth. “I’m glad you like it. There’s more in the kitchen if you want seconds.”
She turned and made her way downstairs. Just as she reached the courtyard, she saw Daniel approaching with a bag of fresh fish.
“Just caught this morning at the dock. I’ll make you soup for lunch.” He held up the bag with a gentle smile.
Maya accepted it, her fingertips accidentally brushing his palm. The warm sensation traveled straight to her heart.
Both froze momentarily, then looked away in unspoken understanding.
Daniel had become the most familiar person in her life over the past few months. He was like a ray of light shining into her dark world.
The old Maya had always lived in the shadows of others, lacking independent thoughts and existing in a confused haze. His presence taught her that she could matter to someone, that she had the right to do whatever she wanted,
“By the way, didn’t you mention wanting creme brulee when you were watching videos?”
Maya retrieved a whole box of cream puddings from the freezer, each topped with a thin layer of caramelized sugar, She’d gotten up early specifically to
make them.
Daniel’s eyes lit up with undisguised delight. “I knew you’d make them for me.”
He eagerly took a spoonful, savoring the sweet, creamy texture. Even though he usually didn’t like sweets, he ate three whole servings without getting tired of them
“Yours is better than the ones made at a five–star hotel,” Daniel praised sincerely.
“Then I’ll make them for you often,” Maya said, her eyes bright with happiness.
Daniel nodded, his gaze lingering on her face, seeming to want to say something but hesitating.
“What is it?” she asked.
He passed, then simply shook his head. “Nothing. I just think… you look really good now.”
Much better than when she’d first arrived in Southcrest, always staring at the sea in a daze. Maya was momentarily stunned, then smiled softly, “Yes, this place suits me well.”
