Chapter 67

When Christine hesitated for a moment before responding, Ethan eagerly stepped in to speak on her behalf. "Mommy and I have only recently returned from living abroad, Mister! I highly doubt you've had the pleasure of meeting her before."

James took another, more lingering look at her. "Ah, I must indeed be mistaken," he conceded reluctantly, his eyes continuing to study her with an intensity that betrayed his words.

'Yet, there's this unshakable feeling that we've crossed paths before,' he thought, tilting his head to one side as if doing so would unlock a hidden memory.

Ethan, noticing James' scrutiny, became defensive. "My Mommy is extraordinarily beautiful; there's no one in the world quite like her! It would be rather offensive to insinuate that she resembles someone else."

Christine leaned over and tenderly kissed her son's forehead, whispering softly in his ear. "Ethan, sweety, let's remember to be polite."

'He won't recognize me,' Christine mused inwardly. 'It's been over f