The first rays of dawn spilled across Rosewood.
For most of the city...
It was the beginning of another ordinary day.
For Aaron Steel...
It was the first morning in years that he woke with a smile.
His eyes opened slowly.
The memory of the previous night returned almost instantly.
Celina's laughter.
Her shy confession.
The warmth of her embrace.
...
And the gentle kiss she had stolen before driving away.
Almost unconsciously...
His fingers brushed against his cheek.
A smile appeared.
"So..."
"She really did kiss me."
For a long moment, he simply lay there, staring at the ceiling like a man who had discovered happiness for the very first time.
A sharp knock interrupted his thoughts.
"Come in."
Ethan stepped inside carrying a tablet and a cup of black coffee.
He stopped.
His eyebrows rose.
"You're smiling."
Aaron immediately composed himself.
"I always smile."
Ethan laughed.
"No, sir."
"You terrify people before breakfast."
Aaron accepted the coffee.
"Is there something important?"
"There is."
Ethan placed the tablet on the desk.
"I've received three requests for interviews."
"Decline them."
"The mayor wants to meet."
"Reschedule."
"The board wants an emergency meeting."
Aaron barely looked up.
"Tomorrow."
Ethan folded his arms.
"I knew it."
Aaron finally looked at him.
"Knew what?"
"You've officially become impossible."
Aaron raised an eyebrow.
"I thought I always was."
"No."
"You've become worse."
"You've fallen in love."
Silence.
Aaron slowly placed the coffee on the desk.
Ethan waited.
For several seconds...
Neither man spoke.
Finally...
Aaron leaned back in his chair.
A quiet smile touched his lips.
"I have."
Ethan blinked.
He had expected denial.
Excuses.
Anything.
Instead...
Aaron admitted it without hesitation.
"I've never seen you this honest."
Aaron looked toward the morning sunlight beyond the window.
"Neither have I."
Across town...
Celina stood inside the small apartment kitchen, humming softly while preparing breakfast.
The scent of butter filled the room.
Her father looked at her over his newspaper.
"You look happy."
Celina almost dropped the frying pan.
"Do I?"
Edward Bakers smiled knowingly.
"I haven't seen you sing while cooking in years."
She laughed nervously.
"I suppose I'm just in a good mood."
Edward watched her carefully.
"Does this good mood have a name?"
She nearly choked on her tea.
"Dad!"
He laughed heartily.
"I'll take that as a yes."
Her cheeks became warm.
She couldn't stop smiling.
No matter how hard she tried.
Several miles away...
A black SUV stopped outside Steel Medical Center.
Victor stepped out.
His expression was unreadable.
He reached into his coat pocket and removed a sealed brown envelope.
Inside...
Was a faded photograph.
A hospital birth record.
And one name.
Isabella.
Victor looked toward the hospital entrance.
"The game begins today."
Behind him...
Another vehicle arrived.
A graceful woman stepped out.
She removed her sunglasses slowly.
Sophia Barrett.
Her eyes rested on the hospital building.
Then...
On the photograph in Victor's hand.
A strange uneasiness settled in her heart.
Something...
Didn't feel right.
Without knowing why...
She whispered softly,
"Please..."
"Don't let me be too late."
Far above them...
Dark clouds slowly gathered over Rosewood.
The peaceful night Aaron and Celina had shared...
Was already becoming a memory.
Because love had finally found them.
Now...
The past was coming to claim them.