Chapter 2: A Sudden Departure
Krystal's eyes never left Kelvin's face as he sat down across from her. The air between them was thick with tension, and Krystal could feel the weight of their unresolved past bearing down on her.
Sophia, sensing her mother's unease, climbed onto Krystal's lap and wrapped her arms around her neck. "Mommy, what's wrong?" Sophia asked, her big brown eyes looking up at Krystal with concern.
Krystal forced a smile, trying to reassure her daughter. "Nothing, baby. Mommy's just a little surprised to see...an old friend."
Kelvin's eyes flicked to Sophia, and for a moment, Krystal saw a flash of surprise. He hadn't known about Sophia, Krystal realized. He hadn't known that she had a daughter.
John's voice cut through the silence, his tone friendly but with a hint of wariness. "So, Kelvin, what brings you back to town?"
Kelvin's smile was easy, but Krystal detected a hint of nervousness beneath the surface. "Just business, John. I'm considering investing in a few local ventures."
As the conversation continued, Krystal found herself growing more and more agitated. She couldn't believe Kelvin was just sitting there, chatting with John like they were old friends. Didn't he know how much he had hurt her? Didn't he care?
Suddenly, Krystal felt a surge of emotion. She couldn't sit there and pretend like everything was fine. She couldn't bear the thought of being in the same room as Kelvin.
"I need to go," Krystal said abruptly, standing up and grabbing her purse. Sophia looked up at her in surprise, but Krystal just smiled and hugged her daughter tightly. "Let's go, baby. We need to get going."
As they hurried out of the coffee shop, Krystal couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. She was glad to be away from Kelvin, away from the memories and the emotions that threatened to overwhelm her.
But as they walked away from the coffee shop, Krystal couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. She glanced over her shoulder, but there was no one there.
As they walked away from the coffee shop, Sophia looked up at Krystal with curiosity. "Mommy, why did we leave?"
Krystal forced a smile, trying to reassure her daughter. "We just needed to get out of there for a bit, baby. That's all."
Sophia nodded, seeming to accept the explanation. But Krystal knew she couldn't keep secrets from her daughter forever.
They walked to the parking lot, and Krystal unlocked her car door. Sophia climbed into her booster seat, and Krystal strapped her in.
As Krystal started the engine, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. She glanced in the rearview mirror, but there was no one there.
Krystal pulled out of the parking lot, her eyes scanning the road ahead. She was grateful to be escaping the tension of the coffee shop, but she knew she couldn't avoid Kelvin forever.
As Krystal drove through the streets, Sophia chattered excitedly about her day. Krystal listened attentively, trying to push aside her worries about Kelvin.
But it was hard to shake off the feeling that her past was catching up with her. Kelvin's sudden reappearance had stirred up emotions Krystal thought she'd long buried.
Sophia's voice cut through Krystal's thoughts. "Mommy, can we get ice cream?"
Krystal hesitated, her mind still reeling from the encounter with Kelvin. "Not today, baby. Maybe some other time."
Sophia pouted, but Krystal just smiled and reached out to pat her daughter's hand. "I promise, baby. We'll get ice cream soon."
As they continued driving, Krystal's mind wandered back to Kelvin. What was he doing back in town? And what did he want from her?
Krystal's grip on the steering wheel tightened as she thought about the possibilities. She wasn't going to let Kelvin disrupt her life again. She was stronger now, and she had Sophia to protect.
"Sophia is my daughter and mine only" Krystal muttered to her self