Chapter 5

The San Francisco Tech Expo. Innovatech was a major sponsor.

Our booth was sleek, minimalist, showcasing our latest ethical AI initiatives.

But the real buzz was about the centerpiece digital art installation.

Commissioned from "Nightingale," the anonymous street artist.

My agent had handled it all. No one knew Nightingale was me.

I walked the floor, observing, listening.

Then I saw them.

Ethan and Tiffany.

Years had passed since the philanthropy award.

Ethan looked... diminished. The charisma was still there, but frayed at the edges. His suit was a little too shiny, his smile a little too forced.

Tiffany clung to his arm, her makeup perfect, but a desperate gleam in her eyes.

Her influencer career had clearly peaked and was now in sharp decline.

They were working the room, trying to network, probably hoping to pitch some new, desperate startup idea.

Perhaps even to Innovatech executives, or to Nightingale' s representatives.

The irony was thick.

Tiffany spotted me first.

I was standing near a display, dressed simply, an attendee like any other in her eyes.

Her face twisted.

"You," she hissed, marching towards me, Ethan trailing reluctantly.

"What are you doing here? Are you following us? Trying to sabotage Ethan again?"

Her voice rose, drawing attention.

People turned to look.

Ethan looked mortified. "Tiffany, please, keep your voice down."

"No, Ethan! I'm sick of her! Sneaking around, trying to ruin our lives!"

She was playing to a perceived audience, the wronged new wife.

I remained calm. "I'm here for the expo, Tiffany. Just like you."

"Liar! You're always lurking, judging. You endowed that ridiculous award just to mock Ethan!"

So, she had figured that out. Or Ethan had.

He looked older, tired. The spark that had once captivated me, that had lit up rooms, was now just a dull ember.

He saw me, really saw me, and then his gaze shifted past me.

To Maya, who had just run up, holding a small tech toy.

"Mommy, look what they're giving away!"

Ethan stared at Maya.

At her eyes, so like mine. At the shape of her face.

Seven years. The math was simple.

His face went white. Thunderstruck.

The realization hit him like a physical blow. Maya. His daughter.