Chapter 2 THE MAN BESIDE HER

Methane's heart pounded as she stared at the man standing before her. Kendrick Blackwood. Five years had passed, but she recognized him instantly. The man she had spent years trying to forget was standing in the same hospital corridor as her children. "Methane?" Hearing her name from his lips sent a chill through her. "Kendrick." His eyes moved from her face to the two children beside her. "They're okay?" he asked. Methane nodded. "Yes. They're fine." Before Kendrick could say anything else, hurried footsteps came from down the hallway. "Methane!" She turned around. Daniel rushed toward them, his face filled with worry. "I heard about the accident. Are Liam and Lily okay?" "They're fine," Methane assured him. Daniel immediately went to the twins and pulled them into his arms. "My babies, you scared me." Kendrick watched the scene quietly. His expression became unreadable. Then his eyes settled on Daniel. The man's closeness to Methane. The way he comforted the children. The familiarity between them. Kendrick drew his own conclusion. "Your husband?" he asked. Methane's eyes widened. "No, Daniel is-" "My brother," she wanted to say. But before she could finish, a nurse called her name from inside the room. "Mrs. Williams, we need to speak with you about the children's condition." Methane glanced at Kendrick. "I have to go." Kendrick gave a small nod. His gaze remained on Daniel. "Take care of them." Daniel frowned slightly, unsure what he meant. But Kendrick had already turned away. Methane watched him walk down the hallway. Her heart sank. He thought Daniel was her husband. And somehow, she knew correcting him would only create more questions. So she let him believe it. Outside the hospital, Kendrick got into his car. He leaned back against the seat and closed his eyes. He couldn't understand why seeing Methane again had affected him so much. Five years ago, she had been nothing more than a beautiful stranger he'd shared one unforgettable night with. He had never expected to see her again. And now she had two children. With another man. Kendrick shook his head. "She's married." He said the words as though trying to convince himself. Then why did it bother him? His driver started the engine. As the car pulled away from the hospital, Kendrick glanced through the window one last time. That was when he saw her. Lily. She was standing near the hospital entrance with Methane and Daniel. The little girl lifted her hand to wave at someone. Kendrick's eyes suddenly fell on her wrist. A small silver bracelet. His entire body went still. The bracelet. He knew that bracelet. Five years ago, Methane had worn one exactly like it. His eyes narrowed as he stared through the car window. But before he could get a better look, the car moved past the hospital entrance. Kendrick turned around. "Stop the car." The driver immediately slowed down. "Sir?" Kendrick continued staring at the hospital behind them. Something wasn't right. He didn't know what it was. Not yet. But that bracelet had awakened a memory he had buried for five years. "Never mind," he finally said. The driver continued driving. Kendrick looked down at his hands, deep in thought. He had no idea why a little girl's bracelet had suddenly made his past feel so close. But one thing was certain. He needed to find out where he had seen it before. And this time, he wasn't going to ignore the feeling in his gut.