"You're staring at me again."
Celina caught Aaron watching her from across the garden.
He didn't even pretend to deny it.
"I can't help myself."
She folded her arms, trying to hide the smile tugging at her lips.
"You've become very bold."
"Only with you."
He crossed the small distance between them.
Celina's breath caught when he stopped directly in front of her.
There was barely any space between them now.
"Aaron..."
"What?"
"You know we're still inside the hospital."
"I know."
"And someone could see us."
"Let them."
The confidence in his voice sent a warm shiver through her.
He reached for her hand.
His fingers slid between hers, holding her firmly.
"I've spent most of my life worrying about what everyone else thinks."
His gaze dropped briefly to their joined hands.
"I don't want to do that anymore."
Celina's expression softened.
"Because of me?"
"Because you showed me what I've been missing."
His thumb moved slowly across her knuckles.
"You."
Her heart raced.
She had heard Aaron say that he loved her before...
But there was something different about hearing it now.
Something that made the world around them seem distant.
She stepped closer.
"Then stop talking."
Aaron raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
"Because..."
She swallowed.
"I want to feel it."
His expression changed.
The playful confidence disappeared.
He lifted one hand to her cheek, giving her plenty of time to move away.
She didn't.
His lips met hers.
The kiss began softly...
Then deepened as Celina's hands curled into the front of his jacket.
Aaron pulled her closer.
She could feel the steady beat of his heart beneath her palms.
When they separated, neither went far.
Their foreheads touched.
Celina's breathing was uneven.
"You really are dangerous."
A quiet laugh escaped him.
"Only when you let me."
She looked into his eyes.
"I think that's the problem."
His hand settled gently at her waist.
"And what exactly is the problem?"
"I don't want you to stop."
That confession erased the last trace of teasing from his face.
He kissed her again.
Longer this time.
Slower.
Filled with the tenderness neither of them could put into words.
Celina melted against him.
When he finally drew back, his forehead rested against hers.
"You're going to make it impossible for me to leave this hospital."
She laughed softly.
"Then don't."
He smiled.
"Careful."
"Why?"
"I might take you seriously."
She lifted her chin.
"Maybe I want you to."
Later that afternoon...
Celina returned to the staff room and found Emily waiting beside her locker.
"You have mail."
Emily handed her an elegant cream-colored envelope.
Celina examined it.
There was no sender's name.
Only hers.
Miss Celina Bakers.
She opened it carefully.
A thick invitation slipped into her hand.
Her eyes moved across the embossed lettering.
The Monroe Foundation Annual Charity Gala
Emily leaned over her shoulder.
"That's not an ordinary invitation."
"I've never even heard of the foundation."
"Apparently they know who you are."
Celina turned the card over.
A handwritten message appeared beneath the printed details.
Your presence would be greatly appreciated.
A strange uneasiness settled over her.
She couldn't explain it.
The name Monroe seemed to stir something she couldn't place.
Not a memory.
Just...
A feeling.
Across town, Sophia Barrett stood beside the window of her sitting room when her phone rang.
"Hello?"
A woman's voice came through.
"You need to come to my house tonight."
Sophia's expression tightened.
"Who is this?"
A pause.
Then:
"Someone who remembers Isabella."
Sophia went completely still.
"Where did you get this number?"
The caller ignored the question.
"Twenty-five years is a long time to keep a secret."
The line went dead.
Sophia slowly lowered the phone.
Her mind raced.
There were very few people left who knew the truth about Isabella Monroe.
And if one of them had decided to contact her now...
Something had changed.
At the Monroe Estate...
Vivian Monroe stood before the old family portrait.
Isabella's face stared back at her.
Beautiful.
Young.
Untouchable.
The sight still irritated her after all these years.
Victor entered the room.
"She received the invitation."
Vivian turned.
"Good."
"Do you want me to follow her?"
"No."
Victor frowned.
Vivian walked toward the fireplace.
"I don't want her followed."
"I want her here."
She picked up the invitation's duplicate from the table.
"Celina doesn't know who she is."
"She doesn't know what happened to Isabella."
"She doesn't know why she was hidden."
Vivian's fingers tightened around the card.
"That gives us time."
Victor studied her carefully.
"And if she discovers the truth?"
Vivian's expression hardened.
"Then make sure she never has the opportunity to expose it."
That evening...
Celina sat on the edge of her bed, still holding the invitation.
The Monroe name wouldn't leave her mind.
She wondered why a prestigious family foundation would want someone like her at their gala.
Her phone vibrated.
Aaron:Have you eaten?
She laughed quietly.
Celina:Yes.
His response arrived almost instantly.
Aaron:I don't believe you.
Celina:Why?
Aaron:Because I know you.
Another message followed.
Aaron:Open your door.
Her eyes widened.
She hurried downstairs.
When she opened the door...
Aaron stood there.
Black shirt.
Dark trousers.
His sleeves rolled casually to his forearms.
He held a small paper bag in one hand.
Celina stared.
"You came here?"
"I told you I would."
He handed her the bag.
"Your favorite."
She opened it and laughed when she saw the pastries inside.
"You remembered."
"I remember everything about you."
Her smile softened.
Aaron stepped inside.
The door closed behind him.
For a few seconds, they simply stood facing each other.
Then Aaron reached for her waist.
Celina's hands settled against his chest.
"I missed you," he murmured.
"You saw me this afternoon."
"That wasn't enough."
He leaned down.
Their lips met again.
This kiss carried none of the hesitation from their earlier encounters.
Celina wrapped her arms around his neck as Aaron drew her closer.
When they parted, she whispered,
"You're becoming very demanding."
"Only because you keep making me want more of you."
Her cheeks warmed.
He brushed his thumb along her cheek.
"I love seeing you like this."
"Like what?"
"Happy."
His voice softened.
"Safe."
Celina rested her head against his chest.
"With you..."
"I am."
Aaron closed his arms around her.
Neither knew that the invitation sitting upstairs would soon pull Celina into the darkest chapter of her family's history.
And neither knew that the woman waiting for her...
Had spent twenty-five years believing Isabella Monroe's bloodline had ended in flames.