Chasing Shadows Of Love

with waiters navigating among st groups of affluent elites and gentle music mingling with talk. Joan wasn't present t

t, her pen resting on Austin Montgomery, a

as five years ago. Shaking her head, she forced herself to c

cognizable voice interr

ller, and sharper, and he appeared to radiate co

g his brow. "I was surp

in a hurried voice. Austin obstru

he remarked, "I see you're

'm not running. I have a job. Some

e? with his face crossed. His tone softened as

e, Austin." She detested herself for it. Before he could no

king into the kitchen. She gripped the edge of the counte

ny voice c

d the door when she turned around. His curious

tray hair from his forehead and knelt to his leve

bored." "Who was the man you s

o one significant, my love. J

. "Why was he looki

ile. It's just that grown-ups can be strange

anding in the doorway, stari

ed in a sharp, low

with a cold tone, "No

orward, his eyes fix

to put some distance between them, she sho

of emotions racing through her head, she leaned against the desk. After all t

h Ethan. Even in her worst days, his broad smile served as a reminder of the b

as she whispered. "Why did you have

n easy one. She was sick of being ignored, and Austin was absorbed with his ambition. She didn't even think about

s cut through her

a piece of paper with vibrant scribb

I made for you! He sa

his level. "What is this? She s

ring at the numbers. "That's me,

l. "We've discus

aying, "I know, Mommy

usly. "Ethan, you have my undying love. You

precarious environment she had creat

worry as she busied herself collecting donation papers and thanking guests. Austin was alway

whispering to each

oy before? Is the person in

gomery, doesn't he? Same smile, same eyes

, she turned to see Austin standing a few steps away,

turning back from the tr

n," he replied, his voice low and shaking with

o the room, oblivious to the tension. "Not here

tin warned, his tone stern. "T

ace him. "Austin, get out of here. Yo

, you can't fool me about this

han closer. "Austin, leave us alone

f the arena with Ethan following, his thoug