Chapter 80 – The Festival, the Cake, and the Truth

The Rosehill Food Festival was in full swing.

Colorful banners waved in the breeze, kids ran between stalls with sticky fingers and cotton candy smiles, and the smell of barbecue, cinnamon, and fresh bread danced in the air. Music from a local band played in the background as people filled the square, laughter mingling with the soft thud of feet on the cobblestone.

Ryan and Anna arrived together, carrying their dish carefully between them — a golden, flaky pastry cake in a cast iron tray, steam still rising from it.

They stopped just in front of the café's booth, where Sarah had already set up her side of the stand. "You're late," she teased, raising an eyebrow, though the smile on her face gave her away.

"We had to make sure it was perfect," Anna said, placing the dish down with pride.

"Smells incredible," Savannah chimed as she walked over, sipping a fruity drink and wearing a wide-brimmed hat that made her look like she belonged in a summer movie.

Ben popped in behind her. "And I've been saving space in my stomach all day for this thing. Don't disappoint me."

Ryan and Anna exchanged a glance — a look that lingered just a little longer than usual.

"Actually," Anna began, brushing flour off Ryan's sleeve like a second nature habit, "we wanted to tell you both something."

Savannah raised an eyebrow. Ben leaned in like he was about to hear a plot twist.

Ryan scratched the back of his neck, then looked between his two friends. "Anna and I… we're together."

There was a pause — one of those awkward silences where time freezes just enough for tension to creep in.

Then Ben let out a low whistle. "Took you long enough."

Savannah smiled brightly. "You guys are perfect. Like, scary perfect."

Anna blushed. Ryan grinned.

"Wait till you try the cake," he said.

"Wait, that's a relationship cake?" Ben asked dramatically. "This has to be next level."

Before they could cut into it, though, more familiar faces arrived. Coach Daniels wandered by with a plate of ribs in one hand and his other hand already reaching for a napkin.

"This yours?" he asked, eyeing the pastry. "Heard rumors it's the star of the festival."

"Family recipe," Anna said, beaming.

"Then I better get a piece before it's gone," Coach replied.

A little while later, Mr. James showed up too, a quiet smile on his face as he took in the booth, the kids, the warmth of the crowd. He gave Ryan a short nod — one that carried more pride than a hundred words could.

And then, near the back of the crowd, Richard Morgan stood still, watching.

Not approaching.

Just... observing.

Anna noticed first. "He's here," she whispered.

Ryan followed her gaze and saw him — the man who looked just a little too much like him. The man who, despite the distance, hadn't taken his eyes off him since the moment they'd arrived.

Sarah came to stand beside her son, catching sight of Richard too.

"Do you want me to—"

Ryan shook his head. "No. Not today."

Anna slipped her hand into his, grounding him.

He squeezed it back.

By the time the sun began to set, the pastry was nearly gone, the crowd thinning out, and the lights above the festival booths had started to glow warm gold against the dusk.

Ryan stood with Anna at the edge of the booth, watching families laugh, teenagers take photos, and kids chase each other with fried dough in their hands.

"You think we'll win the food contest?" she asked, nudging his arm.

He smirked. "We already won something better."

Anna smiled, then leaned in and kissed him — soft, certain, and in front of the whole world this time.