Chasing Shadows Of Love

Joan's hands were shaking a little as she adjusted the hem of her plain black dress. The charity banquet was lively, with waiters navigating among st groups of affluent elites and gentle music mingling with talk. Joan wasn't present to take in the glitz. She was a member of the team that planned the event and made sure everything went without a hitch.

She made one final glance at the guest list, her pen resting on Austin Montgomery, a name she hoped she would never see again.

Her chest grew constricted. The last time she had seen him was five years ago. Shaking her head, she forced herself to concentrate. "He's just another donor," she mumbled to herself.

"Pardon me." A deep, recognizable voice interrupted her concentration.

Joan froze, then turned slowly. He was there, taller, and sharper, and he appeared to radiate confidence throughout the room. Austin Montgomery.

Joan? He said, furrowing his brow. "I was surprised to see you here."

Joan said, "I could say the same," in a hurried voice. Austin obstructed her attempt to move around him.

With a sneer on his lips, he remarked, "I see you're still running from things."

Joan squinted her eyes. "Austin, I'm not running. I have a job. Something that you wouldn't comprehend.

His face changed, a glimmer of something remorse? with his face crossed. His tone softened as he remarked, "You still have that fire in you."

Joan's voice cracked slightly when she said, "Leave me alone, Austin." She detested herself for it. Before he could notice the tears welling up in her eyes, she turned to leave.

Joan took deep breaths to regain her composure before ducking into the kitchen. She gripped the edge of the counter until her knuckles turned white as she leaned against it.

"Mom? A tiny voice called out.

Her four-year-old son, Ethan, was peeking around the door when she turned around. His curious brown eyes were strikingly similar to Austin's.

"What are you doing here, Ethan? Joan brushed a stray hair from his forehead and knelt to his level. "Miss Carla and I told you to stay in the back."

Ethan pouted and said, "I got bored." "Who was the man you spoke with? He appeared insane.

Joan felt her tummy twist. "No one significant, my love. Just a long-time acquaintance.

Ethan's head cocked. "Why was he looking at me like that?"

Joan's heart skipped a beat. She forced a smile. It's just that grown-ups can be strange at times. Return to Miss Carla now, please."

Joan turned to see Austin standing in the doorway, staring at Ethan as he hurried off.

"Joan," he whispered in a sharp, low voice. "Is he...?"

Joan interrupted him with a cold tone, "No." "Don't even begin."

Austin took a step forward, his eyes fixed on you. "He looks."

"Austin, I said no," Joan yelled. Desperate to put some distance between them, she shoved past him and said, "Stay away from us."

With a trembling breath, Joan shut the office door behind her. With a flurry of emotions racing through her head, she leaned against the desk. After all these years, seeing Austin had reopened old wounds she had assumed had healed.

She grabbed a picture frame off her desk. The photo showed her at the park with Ethan. Even in her worst days, his broad smile served as a reminder of the brightness he brought into her life. That brightness felt threatened now, though.

"Austin, why now? Her voice trembled as she whispered. "Why did you have to spoil everything by showing up?"

She found herself thinking about the night she left him. She felt she had no other option, even though it wasn't an easy one. She was sick of being ignored, and Austin was absorbed with his ambition. She didn't even think about notifying him when she became pregnant. He had stated clearly at the time that he wasn't prepared to start a family.

"Mom? Ethan's words cut through her whirlpool of ideas.

He was standing in the doorway with a piece of paper with vibrant scribbles on it when she turned to face him.

"Observe! This is what I made for you! He said as he rushed at her.

Joan took the paper and knelt to his level. "What is this? She smiled artificially as she asked.

"It's us," Ethan clarified, gesturing at the numbers. "That's me, that's you, and that's a father."

Joan's heart fell. "We've discussed this, Ethan"

He interrupted her, saying, "I know, Mommy." "It's only a game."

Joan gave him a hard hug while crying furiously. "Ethan, you have my undying love. You are everything to me. Remember that always.

However, she secretly felt that the precarious environment she had created for them was about to fall apart.

Even though the event was almost over, Joan was unable to unwind. Her mind was clouded with worry as she busied herself collecting donation papers and thanking guests. Austin was always the first person she saw when she looked across the room. He was still there, observing her.

She heard two women whispering to each other near the door.

"Have you seen that young boy before? Is the person in the back helping? One said.

Indeed. He looks exactly like Austin Montgomery, doesn't he? Same smile, same eyes. "It's eerie," the other said, laughing.

Joan's heart thumped in her ears as she froze. Slowly, she turned to see Austin standing a few steps away, his eyes wide and his face pale. He had heard it all.

She realized there was no turning back from the truth when his eyes met hers.

Austin walked toward her, taking his time. "Joan," he replied, his voice low and shaking with restrained anguish. "We need to talk. Right now.

Joan clasped Ethan's hand, who had strolled into the room, oblivious to the tension. "Not here," she responded firmly, trying to walk past him.

"Don't Walk away from me," Austin warned, his tone stern. "That boy...he's mine, isn't he?"

Joan's eyes blazed as she turned to face him. "Austin, get out of here. You have no idea what you're discussing.

"Don't I? He fired back. "Joan, you can't fool me about this-the timing, the way he looks."

Joan's voice wavered as she drew Ethan closer. "Austin, leave us alone. You've caused enough harm already.

Austin stood motionless as she rushed out of the arena with Ethan following, his thoughts whirling with all the possible outcomes.