Chapter 2 - THE BOY AT THE SERVICE GATE
Toby Miller was nineteen.
He delivered bread to the Costa estate every morning.
He had freckles, messy brown hair, and the kind of smile that made strangers trust him.
Sadi liked him.
Not romantically.
But because he treated her like a person.
He remembered her birthday.
Asked about her evening classes.
And once brought her a cinnamon roll after she'd mentioned missing breakfast.
That morning, Toby hadn't seemed different.
He arrived at seven.
Carried the bread baskets inside.
Then handed Sadi a small bunch of pink carnations.
“For you,” he said.
She laughed.
“Why?”
He shrugged.
“Because you always look tired.”
She smiled.
“That's not very flattering.”
Toby grinned.
“I meant you deserve something nice.”
Sadi thanked him.
Then placed the flowers in a glass vase near the sink.
She hadn't noticed the tiny folded paper tucked beneath the floral tape.
Now, standing in the kitchen at two in the morning, she watched Roman carefully unwrap one stem.
A small white slip fell onto the counter.
Roman opened it.
His face changed.
Sadi stepped closer.
“What is it?”
He didn't answer.
She looked down.
Three words were written in black ink.
SHE REMEMBERS EVERYTHING.
Sadi stared.
Her stomach tightened.
Roman looked at her.
“Who is she?”
Sadi shook her head.
“I don't know.”
May you like
Roman studied her.
Then asked, “Sadi, what do you remember?”
