Chapter 3 Long-Lost Love

A black luxury car speeds down the nearly empty street at dusk. The headlights illuminate the sidewalk, but before the driver can react, a figure dashes across the road. A loud *thud* echoes as the car collides with a woman, sending her sprawling onto the pavement. 

The driver, a young man in his late twenties, slams on the brakes, his heart pounding in his chest. He hurriedly steps out of the car, rushing toward the unconscious woman. As he kneels beside her, his breath catches in his throat. Even beneath the dim streetlights, her face is unmistakable—*Chantel.* His childhood best friend. His first love. 

"Chantel?" he whispers in disbelief. He had spent years searching for her, only to find her now, lying injured because of him. Panic surges through him as he scoops her into his arms and races toward his car. 

At the hospital, Henry paces outside the emergency room, his mind racing with a thousand questions. Had fate finally brought them back together only to take her away again? The doors to the ward swing open, and a doctor steps out. Henry rushes forward, gripping the doctor's arm. 

"Doctor! Please, tell me—how is she? Is she going to be okay?" His voice is thick with worry. 

The doctor offers a reassuring smile. "She is stable, and so are her babies." 

Henry's heart skips a beat. *Babies?* His expression falters, and an unexpected wave of disappointment washes over him. *She's married?* He forces himself to push the thought aside. That shouldn't matter. What mattered was that she was alive. 

Clearing his throat, he asks, "Can I see her now?" 

The doctor nods. "Yes, she's awake." 

Without hesitation, Henry strides into the ward. The moment he steps inside, his gaze locks onto Chantel. She looks fragile, lying in the hospital bed, her hands resting on her stomach. When their eyes meet, a frown of confusion crosses her face. 

"Chantel," he says softly, taking a step closer. 

Her brows furrow. "Who…who are you?" Her voice is weak, almost hesitant. 

Henry's lips curl into a small smile as he moves closer, pulling a chair beside her bed. He sits down, his eyes never leaving hers. "You don't remember me, do you?" He exhales deeply. "I knew you might have forgotten, but I could never forget you, Chantel." 

She watches him, a mix of curiosity and confusion in her eyes. "Why do you sound so emotional?" 

Henry glances at her stomach, and Chantel instinctively follows his gaze. She grips the hospital blanket tighter, as if ashamed. 

"I've been looking for you ever since I returned from the U.K.," Henry confesses. "I went to your house, but your stepmother told me you ran away. She wouldn't tell me anything else." His voice turns gentle. "But now that I've found you, surely you remember me?" 

Chantel's eyes widen as memories come rushing back. "Henry…" she whispers, her voice trembling. Tears well up in her eyes. 

Henry nods. "Yes, it's me." 

A sob escapes her lips as she reaches for him, wrapping her arms around him in a tight embrace. "I thought I lost you forever." 

Henry hugs her just as tightly. "I searched everywhere, but I never imagined I'd find you like this… and at the wrong time." His voice turns sad. "I think it's too late." 

Chantel bites her lip, guilt flooding through her. She lowers her gaze, unable to meet his eyes. She doesn't even know who the father of her children is. 

Henry pulls away slightly, studying her face. "Tell me… why were you running?" 

Chantel hesitates. 

"Do you want me to call your husband?" Henry asks. "Give me his number, so he knows where you are." He pulls out his phone, but before he can dial, Chantel reaches out and stops him. 

"You don't need to do that," she says, her voice barely above a whisper. 

Henry frowns. "Why not?" 

Tears begin to spill down Chantel's cheeks again. "Because…I'm not married. I don't even have a boyfriend. I have no one to run to." 

Henry looks at her in shock. "What do you mean?" 

A deep sadness clouds her eyes. "I don't know how I got pregnant, Henry. I don't even know who the father of my children is." 

Henry stiffens. "Children?" 

She nods slowly. "The doctor confirmed I'm having twins… a boy and a girl." 

Henry shakes his head in disbelief. "But how? How can you not know who the father is?" 

Chantel's lips tremble as she answers, "I was working as a maid in the Smith household." 

Henry's eyes widen. "What? But your father is an influential man! Everyone knows the Lees. Why would you be working as a maid?" 

She wipes at her tears, though they continue to fall. "My stepmother chased me out of the house and lied to my father. She told him I ran away with a man." Her voice breaks. "She threatened to hurt him if I ever tried to come back." 

Henry clenches his fists. "Why didn't you tell your father the truth?" 

"I was scared, Henry." She sniffles. "I had nowhere else to go, so I ended up on the streets." 

Henry's expression softens as he takes out a handkerchief and gently wipes her tears. "What about Claire, your stepsister?" 

"She was taken to Canada after I left. I don't even know if she's back." Chantel sighs. "I tried going back to the house, but my father and stepmother moved to Canada too. I doubt Claire will return." 

Henry's jaw tightens. "Are you sure your father left willingly? What if your stepmother made up all those stories so you would never find them?" 

Chantel's eyes widen slightly as she considers his words. "You really think so?" 

Henry nods. "I'll help you find your father, Chantel. I'll make sure you reunite with him." 

A small, hopeful smile appears on her face. "Thank you, Henry. I don't know what I would do without you." 

Henry gives her a reassuring squeeze on the hand. "Why did you run away from the Smiths?" 

Her expression darkens. "They only treated me kindly because they wanted my babies. That's why I ran away… and that's how I ended up getting hit by your car." 

Henry's heart twists with sympathy. "You can stay with me for as long as you need," he says. "I promise to protect you, no matter what." 

Tears of gratitude stream down her face as she hugs him again. "Thank you so much, Henry." 

Just then, a nurse walks in to check Chantel's vitals. After a few moments, she turns to Henry. "She will be discharged today, sir. But please, she needs to be more careful because of her condition." 

Henry nods. "I'll make sure she's safe." 

As the nurse leaves, Chantel turns to Henry, her heart filled with both relief and uncertainty. Though she had lost everything, Henry's presence made her feel like she wasn't alone anymore. Maybe, just maybe, there was still hope.