Chapter 110

Sean POV

Pain throbbed behind my eyelids, a relentless hammer pounding against my skull.

Glancing around, I realized I was in what appeared to be the presidential suite at The Plaza. How I'd gotten here remained a mystery-another blank space in my memory.

Fragments of memories flickered like broken film: the charity auction, leaving abruptly, heading to The Rain-that upscale bar I'd been frequenting lately.

I remembered ordering whiskey after whiskey, letting the amber liquid burn away thoughts that had haunted me for five years.

Then... a face. Her face.

I bolted upright. Had I really seen Angela last night, or was it just another phantom conjured by too much alcohol?

A persistent knocking pulled me from my thoughts. I ignored it, hoping whoever was disturbing me would eventually give up. But the knocking continued, growing more insistent with each passing minute.

"Damn it," I muttered, forcing myself to stand.

I yanked it open, ready to dismiss whoever stood on the other side. A woman-attractive, stylish, vaguely familiar-stood there, her expression lighting up when she saw me.

"Mr. Shaw! You're awake!" Her voice was too bright, too cheerful for my current state.

"What?" The single word fell from my lips like ice.

She faltered slightly but maintained her smile. "May I come in? I'd like to speak with you."

"Say what you need to right here. One minute." I leaned against the doorframe, not bothering to hide my impatience.

"I'm Olivia Harrison," she began. "I helped you last night when you were... indisposed. My friend Angela and I brought you-"

My entire body tensed at the name. "Angela?" I interrupted, suddenly alert despite my hangover. "Angela Wilson?"

The woman-Olivia-nodded, clearly surprised by my reaction.

"Come in," I said, stepping aside immediately.

Once inside, I maintained a careful distance, struggling to keep my expression neutral despite the adrenaline now coursing through my veins.

"You know Angela?" Olivia asked, curiosity evident in her voice.

I took a steadying breath. "We've met. Years ago." The understatement felt bitter on my tongue. "You said she was with you last night?"

"Yes, we were at The Rain when we found you rather... intoxicated. You were quite insistent on talking to her."

So it hadn't been an alcohol-induced hallucination. Angela was really back in New York. And I had seen her-spoken to her even, though I couldn't remember what I'd said.

"I apologize for any inconvenience," I said, my voice carefully controlled. "I'd like to thank her personally for her assistance. Would you be able to arrange that? Today, if possible."

"I can call her right now," Olivia offered, already reaching for her phone.

I nodded, turning away to hide the intensity of my interest as I quickly dressed. After five years of wondering, of searching, of trying to forget-Angela was within reach again.

In the lobby, I waited near the concierge desk as Olivia spoke on the phone. Her animated gestures and occasional glances in my direction told me she was discussing me with Angela.

When she returned, her expression was slightly perplexed.

"That's odd," she said. "Angela claims she doesn't know you. Last night, she actually said you were sexual harassing her... but of course, I know that must have been a misunderstanding."

Of course she'd deny knowing me. What had I expected?

But Sexual Harassing? What the hell？！

"She must have forgotten," I said smoothly. "It was a brief business meeting, years ago. How is she? I hope my behavior last night didn't upset her."

"She's fine," Olivia assured me. "She actually just moved back to New York from Italy last week. She's been living in Tuscany for the past five years."

My heart rate accelerated. Five years in Italy-exactly how long she'd been gone from New York. From me.

"Italy suits some people," I remarked casually. "Though I've always found New York more... stimulating."

"I can take you to her now. She's staying with me temporarily until she finds her own place."

In the back of the town car Olivia had called, I stared out at the passing cityscape, my thoughts racing faster than the vehicle cutting through Central Park.

What would I say when I saw her?

I hadn't shaved this morning-would I look too haggard?

"Mr. Shaw, would you mind if I got your number?" Olivia asked, breaking into my thoughts, her voice taking on a slightly flirtatious tone. "In case I need to reach you directly."

I removed a business card from my wallet and handed it to her. "This is my assistant Thomas's contact information. I rarely answer my personal phone, but he can always reach me."

She seemed slightly disappointed but took the card anyway. "And what business are you in, Mr. Shaw? You mentioned finance earlier?"

I detected the unmistakable note of interest in her voice-one I'd heard countless times from women at charity galas and business functions. I had no patience for it today.

"Yes, finance," I replied curtly, then feigned a sudden wave of fatigue. I closed my eyes and leaned my head against the window. "Please excuse me. I'm still feeling the effects of last night."

The silence that followed told me she'd received my message. I kept my eyes closed, feigning sleep while my mind raced with thoughts of seeing Angela again after all this time.

Upon arriving at Olivia's, I immediately started searching for Angela, barely noticing my surroundings.

"Angela must be out shopping with Christopher," Olivia said after searching the house.

"Christopher?"I stiffened at the name.

"Christopher Blake," Olivia clarified, missing the tension in my question. "You know him？"

"Yes"

I kept my expression neutral despite the surge of jealousy that name provoked. Christopher Blake-of course.

"When do you expect them back?" I asked.

"Hard to say. Shopping with Christopher can take hours-he's quite particular."

"I don't mind waiting," I said, settling onto the sofa. "I'd like to apologize properly."

Five years. Five years of searching, of wondering, of trying to understand why she'd vanished from my life without explanation.

And now, by sheer coincidence or fate, she had reappeared-and I stood in her temporary home, waiting for her return.

This time, I wouldn't let her disappear again. Not without answers.