Chapter 4

Solo sat across from Charles Bellamy, her mentor, the man who had helped launch her career in the jewelry design business years ago. They were engulfed in the buzz of the upscale café, filled with the soft clinks of glasses, cups, dishes, and murmured conversations. Solo’s mind, however, was focused on the opportunity Charles presented.

“The event is two weeks away,” he said, tapping the side of his coffee cup. “You’ll be presenting under your new name—Solaire—I expect it to make quite the impact.”

She nodded, trying to suppress the wave of anxiety that washed over her. It had been so long since she had immersed herself in the jewelry world. Now, she was returning with a new identity, more at stake than before. Her career had to take off—not just for herself, but for her children’s future.

She closed her eyes, steadying her nerves, then snapped and opened them. “I’m ready,” she said, though the words felt heavier than anticipated.

Charles smiled, his eyes filled with pride. “Good. I have no doubt you’ll make a splash. This is your chance, Solo—sorry, Solaire—to redefine yourself.”

Solo took a deep breath, her fingers brushing against the sketches she had brought. The designs were taking shape in her mind, representing a piece of the new life she intended to build.

“I appreciate this.” She offered him a grateful smile. “It means a lot to me.”

Charles waved her off, his cheeks darkening, his expression softening. “You’ve earned it. Talent like yours doesn’t fade away because you took time off. It matures and blossoms into something spectacular.”

She grinned, displaying an emotion she didn't feel to please the man before her—she owed him at least that much.

Dominic stepped into the café, the familiar sound of the bell ringing above his head. He had been walking the city streets, his mind adrift since his business meeting earlier that day. Work hadn’t held his attention—nothing had since Solo left.

He scanned the café, not looking for anything in particular, trying to find some semblance of peace. Although he rarely visited it, he had been drawn to it without much thought today.

He ordered a black coffee, his mind elsewhere as he waited. The sounds of conversations and the occasional laughter filled the space, but Dominic wasn’t listening. His thoughts circled back to Solo—where on earth had she gone, why did she leave so abruptly, and why did it bother him so much? 

He had chosen Sapphire, after all—a decision he would honor.

And yet, there was an emptiness inside him that he couldn’t explain. Taking his coffee, he moved toward an empty table, walking past Charles and Solo, who were engrossed in their conversation near the window. 

He hadn’t noticed her—she was facing away from him,

Solo ended her meeting with Charles and stood, gathering her sketches. She thanked him for his support and left the café, her mind buzzing with ideas for the event.

Dominic sat with his coffee in hand and glanced out the window just as Solo walked out the door, though he didn’t recognize her from behind. A sense of familiarity tugged at him, but the moment passed, and he returned to his drink—as Solo disappeared down the street, his gaze landed on a small piece of paper on the ground by his feet, with a sketch of a bracelet and earring set. His gaze narrowed as he bent to retrieve it—the design stirred something in his memory.

He examined the intricate pattern of the pieces. It looked familiar. It reminded him of the many scraps of paper Solo would leave on the coffee table during the early days of their arrangement—a piece she had designed, though he hadn’t paid much attention to it then.

His chest tightened with an unexplainable feeling. Was this hers? Had she returned to designing after all?

Before he could think any further, the paper was snatched from his grasp.

“Thanks. I think this is mine,” a strange man said and began to walk away. Before Domonic could stop the man to question him, his phone buzzed in his pocket, and the moment was lost as he answered the call. He watched the man leave.

As Dominic walked out of the café, the image of the bracelet lingered in his mind, haunting him with a strange sense of recognition. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Solo was closer than he thought—and maybe she hadn’t left the city.

Dominic paced the length of his office, his mind racing. The sketch refused to leave him even though the stranger had claimed it. Something familiar about the design had stirred an old memory of Solo—a memory he had buried. It couldn’t have been a coincidence. She had to be here, in the city, somewhere.

With a sigh, he grabbed his phone from his desk, scrolling through his contacts until he landed on a familiar name—Jake Sorenson, the private investigator he had worked with in the past. Jake was discreet, efficient, and trustworthy. If anyone could find Solo, it would be him.

Dominic hit the call button and waited. After two rings, a gruff voice answered.

“Dominic,” Jake said, his tone casual. “It’s been a while. What can I do for you?”

“I need you to find someone for me,” Dominic said, not wasting any time. “Her name is Solo Delaney. She disappeared a few months ago. I’ve seen something that makes me think she’s in the city.”

“Delaney, huh?” Jake asked. “And why the sudden interest in finding her?”

Dominic hesitated, not sure how to answer. He had told himself that finding Solo was to tie up loose ends, to understand why she had left so abruptly. But deep down, he knew there was something else driving him. 

The emptiness she had left behind gnawed at him, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that finding her would somehow give him the answers he needed.

“I need to know where she is,” Dominic said. “I don’t care how long it takes. Just find her.”

Jake let out a low chuckle. “Alright. I’ll dig around and see what I can find. If she’s here, I’ll track her down. I’ll keep you updated.”

Dominic ended the call, his chest tight with anticipation. He had taken the first step, and now the wheels were in motion. He sat at his desk, staring out the window at the bustling city. Solo was out there somewhere, and he would find her.

Solo walked down the street, moving forward with her plans—unaware of her narrow escape from the man who had once consumed her life.