Chapter 14: The Flashbacks

The day felt hazy, a blend of habits and automatic grins. My fingers lingered above the hotel’s booking system, yet my thoughts drifted far from the display. The scent of the shiny wooden counter blended with the subtle fragrance of fresh coffee drifting through the lobby, yet none of it anchored me.

Andrew.

His name lingered in my mind like an obstinate mark, unwilling to be wiped clean. The heaviness of my expanding belly served as a continual reminder, yet today seemed unique. Vivid, unsolicited recollections of that evening replayed in my mind on an endless cycle.

It was not meant to be important anymore. I had Ryan now—his enthusiasm for the baby should have been sufficient to overshadow the residual impressions of Andrew’s caress. However, the mind has a tendency to bring back what you most wish to erase.

"Amelia." His voice was cutting yet muffled, similar to a knife blunted by drink.