No strings attached |(UNDER REVISION)

Chapter 39- I see you again

Her eyes, though... they were still the same. Deep, dark, and unreadable.

For a moment, neither of us spoke. The noise of the mall faded into the background, leaving just the two of us standing there, caught in a moment neither of us had expected.

"Mikha," Aiah said again, this time softer.

I swallowed, forcing a smile. "Hey... long time no see."

She nodded, her lips curving into a small, unreadable smile. "Yeah... five years."

I let out a short laugh, crossing my arms. "Three, actually. The last time I heard anything about you was three years ago. After that... nothing."

Aiah's expression didn't change, but something flickered in her eyes. "I left for Paris right after... you know. I had to start over."

Right after her wedding with Adrian.

I forced myself to nod. "I get that."

A brief silence fell between us. I wasn't sure what else to say. There were so many things I could ask, so many things I wanted to know-but at the same time, maybe none of it mattered anymore.

Aiah tilted her head slightly, observing me. "You look... happy, Mikha."

I smiled, more at ease now. "I am."

"Ethan, right?" she asked.

I blinked in surprise. "You know about Ethan?"

Aiah chuckled, shaking her head. "Gwen told me. I still keep in touch with them."

Of course she does.

"And you?" I asked, glancing at her left hand, but there was no wedding ring. "Are you happy?"

Aiah's smile didn't quite reach her eyes. "I think I'm getting there."

For the first time in years, I looked at her and didn't feel the ache I used to. No bitterness, no regret. Just... closure.

"It was nice seeing you again, Aiah," I said genuinely.

She nodded. "Yeah. You too, Mikha."

And with that, we walked away in different directions.

This time, without looking back.

As I stepped into the elevator, I instinctively turned back toward the direction where Aiah had been standing.

And that's when I saw them.

A man-tall, well-dressed, and familiar. His features were sharp, his presence confident, and there was something about the way he stood close to Aiah that made my stomach tighten.

Then, a little girl ran toward them.

She was about four or five years old, wearing a pastel dress, her hair in soft curls. She reached for Aiah's hand, tugging at it as if asking for attention. Aiah immediately crouched down, brushing a strand of hair from the girl's face before placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

I felt my breath catch in my throat.

Aiah... had a child?

I gripped the elevator railing as realization sank in. The doors started to close, but before they did, I saw Aiah glance in my direction, her expression unreadable.

And then-just like that-the doors shut, cutting her off from view.

I exhaled sharply, trying to make sense of what I had just seen.

Aiah had changed. That much was clear. But I never expected this.

I never expected her to be a mother.