Page 60 of Broken Destiny

Mr. Evans?She had never called me that before.

The formality landed cold and deliberate, like a line drawn between us with distance.

I wasn’t about to let it stay that way.

“Thanks,” I replied as I shook her hand. “Caleb is fine.”

Her touch was soft but strong, and the contact sent a jolt through me.

Memories of her hands on my body surfaced. I cleared my throat quickly and let go.

But it wasn’t just that moment.

I hadn’t stopped thinking about her. Not since I’d first seen her again two weeks ago.

I still remember the way she had laughed at the fair, running after her children, dancing with them, and clicking pictures, as though the world hadn’t touched her. As though nothing had broken her.

And then?—

Dinner with my family in Vancouver.

My chest had tightened the moment I saw my nieces sitting at the table.

“So, the meeting with the Harris developers… You confirmed without checking with us?” Simon, my brother, asked. “You haven’t said much since you got back.”

“I was expecting some sort of report from you regarding the project… or at least an email,” Sophia, my sister, added. Her blonde hair had grown quite long, and she had tied it back in a ponytail. “But nothing. I thought we could discuss it together before you approved the company as an investor.”

“Sorry,” I said quickly. “I know I should have consulted with you guys first, but it was such a good project, and they had more investors. I didn’t want to lose the opportunity presented to me.” I lied.

I felt uncomfortable lying to them, but I couldn’t help it. If my family learned the truth about Jiya, they would pull away from the company immediately, and I would lose my only chance to uncover what had really happened. I needed to face my demons and get my questions answered before I could tell Liam or my family anything.

“The contract has come through, and I’ll email you the presentation from the meeting,” I said, looking at my siblings while trying to avoid any more awkward questions from them.

“But how come you changed your mind about this project when you were the one who doubted its potential?” Cat, my youngest sister, asked, her brown eyes looking directly at me, searching for answers.

I knew I had to respond carefully. My youngest sister knew me better than anyone else, and she could read me with unsettling accuracy.

Looking directly at her, I said, “It was Liam Harris’ brother’sdream before he passed away. He’s trying to complete it on his behalf.”

It was partly true. I had only lied about the relationship of the actual person who wanted to fulfill the dream.A white lie.

That thought made me reflect on the man himself—the brother. I found myself wondering what kind of man he had been. Was he a good husband and father? What kind of relationship had he shared with Jiya? Had they been happy together? Had she loved him the way she once claimed to love me?

“That’s very big of his brother to do so,” my father said, his voice filled with approval. “It’s a wonderful tribute and gesture. Good decision, son.”

I finally stopped tapping my foot beneath the table and let out a slow breath. I had successfully handled the situation and managed to dodge the truth. But I knew I would have to continue doing so for a while longer, at least until I had succeeded in my mission.

That thought had stayed with me long after that night.

And now, standing in front of her again on the helipad, it hit harder than it should have.

She wasn’t Nyah anymore.

She was Jiya.

A partner.

A mother.