YELLOW

.... To be continued

Four years had slipped by in the blink of an eye, and Xante was growing up before my very eyes—though I remained an invisible spectator in his life. All I could see were Olivia's posts, a cascade of pictures showcasing him dressed as Spider-Man and other superheroes, embodying the joy of childhood. Her profile picture, a radiant snapshot of her, Joakim, and Xante, screamed of a family united, a trio I could only admire from a distance.

"Beautiful trio ❤️"
"Such a lovely family!"
"What a wonderful son and father!"

Xmas pics, birthdays pics, family pics.

Each comment felt like a dagger, driving home the painful reality that my presence had faded into a mere whisper of memory, overshadowed by their vibrant lives.

Xante inherited my curls and my nose, yet his emerald eyes and full lips were unmistakably Olivia's. In him, I saw a reflection of what could have been—a poignant reminder of a life I no longer inhabited.

I had left the Bakers Company behind, selling it to seek a new beginning. I opened a library, my sanctuary, a place where my dreams could roam free. Within those walls, I could craft the ending to my story, even if only for a fleeting moment.

The door swung open, and Anastasia entered, carrying breakfast for the two of us. I welcomed her with a soft whisper, "You're late for work. You might anger the owner and get fired." I took a sip of the rich coffee she brought, savoring the warmth. She leaned closer, a playful glint in her eyes, and whispered, "Well, in that case, I think I'll take the risk. I have my ways with the owner."

I bit my lower lip, feeling our little golden retriever puppy, Loki, wag his tail against my leg—his exuberance a stark contrast to my somber thoughts. Olivia had always playfully referred to me as a golden retriever, too.

"Baby, can you take Loki to the park?" she asked, handing me the leash as she moved behind the library's counter. I smiled, nodding in mock seriousness. "A suo ordine, signora," I replied, grabbing my hat and leading the eager dog outside.

I walked to the nearby park, releasing Loki to run free, the world around us blissfully quiet. I chose a sun-drenched bench to sit back and relax, allowing the warmth of the sun to envelop me. It was a beautiful day, the rays dancing across my face as my fingers traced the worn wood of the bench.

"This dog is massive!" a little voice broke through my reverie. I opened my eyes and found a child standing before me, his gaze wide with wonder. As I met his gaze, the emerald eyes staring back were a hauntingly familiar sight, a flash of recognition that sent a wave of bittersweet memories crashing over me.

The child stood in front of me, his innocent curiosity shining in his bright eyes. "What's his name?" he asked, glancing up at Loki with a mixture of awe and excitement. I adjusted my hat, a futile attempt to shield my identity, my heart racing at the thought of being recognized. But Xante had never seen my face, so how could he possibly know me?

"His name is Loki" I said but right when I did a familiar figure approached, gently grasping Xante's hand. "Xante, don't bother the signore..." But as she spoke, our eyes locked—Olivia. The moment felt electric, a silent recognition that hung in the air between us. Time seemed to freeze as her gaze bore into mine, and the world around us faded into oblivion.

Xante tugged at her dress, clearly confused. "Mom?" he asked, sensing the tension that hung between us. He couldn't comprehend the weight of the moment, the unspoken history that lay just beneath the surface. I tightened my grip on Loki's leash, feeling a rush of emotions swell within me as I watched Olivia stand frozen, caught in the gravity of our shared past.

"Love, are we ready to go?" a voice called from behind her, pulling us both from the spell that had woven around us. It was Joakim, standing next to their car, his presence a stark reminder of the life they had built together. I instinctively pulled my hat lower over my face, exposing only my lips as I turned away, unable to bear the weight of the moment any longer.

Now she knew I knew.