It was the annual global tech symposium, an event Michael Hudson rarely attended in person, but after five years away, he had returned, making headlines with his abrupt reappearance in the city that once knew his name and whispered it in boardrooms like scripture. The opulent conference hall was alive with background chatter, clinking glasses, and the gentle strains of live jazz echoing beneath the chandeliers.
Wearing a custom midnight-black suit, Michael navigated the crowd with a practiced poise. His eyes were sharper, harder even, and experience had etched itself into his face, making him a little more defined and less forgiving. He greeted acquaintances with polite detachment, his mind already halfway across the world in deals and acquisitions—until his breath caught on an unexpected vision across the room: Lorna. She stood near the gallery entrance, her laughter soft and unfamiliar, wearing an emerald green gown that shimmered under the lights. Her hair fell in waves, her features were more mature and graceful, but unmistakably hers, and she hadn't yet seen him. Her hand rested lightly on the arm of a tall, strong man.
Lucas Madden. Michael's stomach twisted. Of course she wasn't alone. He briefly thought about leaving. However, fate—cruel and cunning—had brought them here, now, when neither of them was ready. Lorna's laughter subsided when she turned to face him. Their eyes met. Time broke. The air changed. Her expression faltered, her lips parting slightly. Shock. Disbelief. A flicker of something deeper.
Ignorantly, Lucas carried on talking.
Michael stepped forward.
So did she.
then came to a stop.
The echoes of a love that was never completely extinguished pulsed through the crowded yet unique space between them. Five years fell apart in that one tense moment. The fervor. The suffering. The quiet. The queries.
Lorna felt her heart thumping in her chest. This was more than she could handle. Not in this place. Not with the ghost of another life looking down at her with those storm-gray eyes and Lucas at her side.
Michael was about to say something when his name was called from behind him.
The moment had passed.
Lorna abruptly turned away and spoke to Lucas in a whisper before making her way to the balcony by herself.
After hesitating, torn between pride and desire, Michael followed.
The cool night air outside was scented with gardenias from the lower terraces. Lorna stood with her back to him, her arms crossed, as if she could will herself into calm.
At last, Michael said in a low voice, "You look good."
Slowly, she turned. Her eyes glistened, but not with tears, but with self-control.
She said calmly, "I didn't expect to see you again."
"I didn't either," he acknowledged. "But here we are."
Lorna abruptly turned away and spoke to Lucas in a whisper before making her way to the balcony by herself.
After hesitating, torn between pride and desire, Michael followed.
The cool night air outside was scented with gardenias from the lower terraces. Lorna stood with her back to him, her arms crossed, as if she could will herself into calm.
At last, Michael said in a low voice, "You look good."
Slowly, she turned. Her eyes glistened, but not with tears, but with self-control.
She said calmly, "I didn't expect to see you again."
"I didn't either," he acknowledged. "But here we are."
There was a tense, brittle beat of silence between them.
"So, what are you doing back?" she asked in a hushed tone.
He paused. "Business, mostly."
She nodded, though her eyes betrayed her disbelief.
"You too?" he inquired.
"New life. A new city. Everything is new.
"Everything?" His voice trembled a little.
Lorna tightened her jaw. "It must have been."
They were silent for a while.
Then she added, "Lucas is a good man."
Michael looked away, his expression unreadable. "I'm sure he is."
However, he was aware that something had changed—some tether had reawakened—even as he was speaking.
Once more, they had encountered one another. And now there was nothing to reverse that.