CHAPTER 30: Shadows and Light

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Chapter 30: Shadows and Light

Daisy

The car ride to Nairobi was quiet, but not uncomfortable. Daisy leaned against the window, her fingers loosely intertwined with Calvin's. They were staying a night early, just the two of them—Calvin's idea of easing the nerves before the big family dinner.

Their hotel was warm and understated, tucked into a quiet street lined with jacaranda trees. Daisy smiled as she stepped into the room, surprised by how calm she felt.

But calm never lasts long.

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Later That Day

They wandered into a local art exhibit Calvin had found online. It was small but beautiful—portraits, brushstrokes of grief and joy, and fragments of Nairobi's soul on canvas.

And then she saw him.

Jayden.

Tall, charming, and careless as ever, Jayden Akumu had once been everything she thought she wanted—before she knew what love really meant.

"Daisy?" he said, surprised. Then his gaze flicked to Calvin, and back. "Wow. It's been a while."

She straightened, masking the tightening in her chest. "Jayden."

Calvin's eyes scanned the man quickly, then looked at Daisy—not possessive, just curious.

"I didn't expect to see you here," Jayden added, stepping closer. "Still into psychology?"

Daisy nodded stiffly. "Still healing people."

Jayden smirked, leaning slightly. "And who's healing you these days?"

Before she could reply, Calvin's voice cut in—steady, warm. "That would be me."

Jayden raised an eyebrow, but Calvin didn't flinch. Daisy watched silently, her heart thudding—not from fear, but something else. Relief.

Jayden looked between them, shrugged, and walked away. "Nice meeting you, man. Good luck."

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Calvin

Outside, Daisy stayed quiet for a while.

"Was he…?" Calvin began.

"My first heartbreak," she said. "And my biggest mistake."

He didn't push. He just squeezed her hand.

"You've changed," he said quietly.

She looked up at him. "How do you know?"

"Because he looked at you like he used to own you. But you looked at him like he never could."

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