Chapter 4 My Mommy Can't Come In Here

Minutes ago, Colton's hands shook slightly as he caught sight of Kiera from a distance.

The woman's silhouette and manner of walking were hauntingly reminiscent of Kiera!

He found himself drawn towards her, moving deliberately closer.

Alaric watched in amazement. It was the first time he'd seen Colton make an effort to approach a woman since his wife's tragic accident five years earlier. Since then, Colton had grown distant and reserved, his presence often chilling those around him. Such a forward gesture was completely out of character.

Alaric gave Kiera another glance, finding himself struck by her allure.

Her face, a perfect canvas of beauty, seemed meticulously crafted to a faultless degree.

Colton, too, was visibly amazed.

But he quickly composed himself, his eyebrows knitting together as he instinctively stepped back and said tersely, "Be careful while you walk."

Kiera's sneer was hidden deep within.

Her appearance had transformed entirely from what it once was.

She vividly recalled the burning pain of the fire that scarred her, the excruciating months she endured while pregnant, and the cosmetic surgeries that followed her delivery.

Haunted by nightmares, she often woke up to find her pillow drenched in tears. Now, as she faced the man responsible, her hands involuntarily clenched into fists, and she yearned to challenge him and question his empathy.

Kiera was holding the unfinished lollipop from Archer. As Colton collided into her, the lollipop had streaked across his suit.

With a polite smile, she said, "Oh, I'm sorry. I really didn't see you there. It seems I've stained your suit. Let me make it up to you by replacing it. Could I get your contact to send you a new one?"

Her voice carried a raspy, subdued tone.

A flicker of disappointment crossed Colton's eyes.

She wasn't Kiera.

Her face was different, and even her voice was.

Kiera's voice had been vivid and melodic, reminiscent of a songbird, but the woman before him, while striking, spoke with a raspy, subdued tone. While some might find such a voice charming, Colton did not find it his cup of tea.

Colton's face quickly reverted to a cold mask.

"No need. It's just a suit."

He then removed his jacket and threw it into a nearby trash bin as though it were something repugnant.

A subtle smile formed on Kiera's lips.

To Colton, she might seem like just another woman attempting to charm him for his contact details.

She observed him coolly as he walked away, curious to see his reaction when he discovered that she was the designer he was about to meet.

An inexplicable irritation welled up inside Colton, the source of which he couldn't quite pinpoint.

That woman clearly wasn't Kiera, yet why did she feel so familiar?

No, it couldn't be her.

Kiera would have been thrilled if he had approached her; her affection for him was no secret. However, the expression in that woman's eyes lacked any sign of recognition or joy.

Yet, there was something eerily familiar about her gaze.

As these thoughts raced through his mind, Colton halted abruptly, causing Alaric, who wasn't expecting the sudden stop, to collide with his back.

"Mr. Sutton, my apologies."

Alaric, touching his now aching nose, quickly moved aside, noticing that Colton's attention was still fixed on the woman.

Kiera, after their interaction, made her way directly to the restroom. The way she moved and walked made Colton's eyes narrow once more, his curiosity piqued.

"Mr. Sutton, does that woman interest you?" Alaric inquired.

Colton's sharp glare made Alaric immediately fall silent.

"I need to use the restroom."

Driven by an unexplainable restlessness, Colton turned and hastened toward the restroom.

Alaric, unaccustomed to seeing Colton so perturbed, chose not to follow and stayed outside instead.

Inside the restroom, Colton ran the faucet and splashed his face with water, attempting to calm his thoughts. Abruptly, he felt a pull at his clothing.

Colton looked down with a slight frown to find a little boy, around four, tugging at the hem of his jacket, seemingly wanting to say something.

"Let go," Colton said, his voice cold.

Despite Colton's usually intimidating presence, the boy seemed completely unaffected.

Moreover, Colton noticed something oddly familiar in the boy's gaze.

"Could you help me, please?" the boy asked.

Looking into Archer's earnest, hopeful eyes momentarily softened Colton's demeanor.

"Where are your parents?" Colton inquired.

"My mommy can't come in here. It's the men's restroom!" Archer explained with a pout, appearing slightly embarrassed.

Colton observed the boy, who seemed almost angelic, and let out a sigh. "What do you need help with?"

Archer shifted uncomfortably. "My zipper's stuck, and I really need to pee. Can you help me with it?" As Archer spoke, his legs shifted against each other, as if he were moments away from peeing.