The car arrived at the Chadwick mansion and ca to a stop. Bella squeezed Ken’s hand before she hopped out of the car and went to the door and knocked on it. She waited a few seconds before the door opened and an old lady with grey hair led her in through the foyer.
When they got to the drawing room, Sutton looked up, her face curious. "Who are you and how may I help you?"
"Good afternoon, I am so sorry to barge in unannounced." Belle said apologetically, "I am Bella Shan and I am a friend of Ken Stuart."
"Ken Stuart?" Lottie exclaid, her tone shifting from polite curiosity to near-giddy enthusiasm. "The Ken Stuart? The world-renowned musician?"
"Indded." Bella replied and Lottie’s deanor instantly transford.
"What can I do for you?" She asked.
"Does Lyse Spade live here?" Bella asked and Lottie frowned.
"Yes she does, is she in any kind of trouble?" Lottie asked tentatively, the enthusiasm fading off her face.
Bella hurried to reassure her, "the thing is," she explained, "Ken had a dical ergency and if not for Lyse’s quick thinking, who knows what might have happened to him. Ken would like to thank her personally."
"What do you an?" Lottie asked, wide eyed.
"Mr Stuart is waiting outside in the car." Bella explained.
Lottie’s hands imdiately went up to her hair and she smoothed it down, unconsciously trying to make herself look more presentable. "Oh my." She said breathlessly.
"So, is Lyse around? Can Mr Stuart co in?" Bella asked.
"Of course, of course." Lottie hurriedly got to her feet and laughed nervously.
Bella went back out and returned into the house, Ken trailing slightly behind her, a mixture of nervousness and anticipation etched on his face. They were led into the living room.
Lottie descended the sweeping staircase, her face beaming. "Bella, darling! And Mr. Stuart, what a pleasure!" she gushed, extending a hand to Ken.
Ken shook her hand politely, a polite smile on his face. "Please, call Ken," he said.
"Of course, of course," Lottie replied, her eyes sparkling. "Lyse will be down in just a mont. Please, make yourselves comfortable." She gestured towards the living room, its once opulent furnishings in need to a revamp, a testant to the hard tis the Chadwick family were going through.
Bella and Ken entered the living room, Ken’s gaze sweeping across the décor. He seed ill at ease in the surroundings, his focus clearly elsewhere.
A few monts later, Lyse entered the room, her expression hesitant. She looked from Bella to Lottie, then finally settled on Ken. A flicker of recognition, or perhaps just curiosity, crossed her face.
Ken’s heart pounded in his chest. The resemblance was striking. The sa delicate features, the sa expressive eyes, the sa gentle smile. It was as if he was looking at a younger version of Maeve. He stood up abruptly, his breath catching in his throat.
"Lyse," he said, his voice trembling slightly. "I... I wanted to thank you. You saved my life."
Lyse’s brow furrowed slightly. "Saved you?" she repeated, her voice laced with confusion. "I am afraid I don’t rember..."
Ken frowned as he looked from Lyse to Lottie who quickly explained. "Lyse has lost so of her mory."
"You took to the hospital," Ken explained gently. "I collapsed on the street, and you... you were there. You made sure I got help."
Lyse’s expression softened. "Oh," she said, her voice apologetic. "I am so sorry. I don’t rember any of that. As my mother said, I’ve lost so of my mory."
Ken’s heart ached for her. He could see the confusion in her eyes, the vulnerability that radiated from her.
"It’s alright," he said softly. "It doesn’t matter. What matters is that you helped . You saved my life."
He paused, taking a deep breath. "You... you remind of soone I used to know," he said, his voice filled with a wistful sadness.
Lyse looked at him curiously, her eyes searching his face. While Lottie stiffened and beca uneasy, her gaze darting from Lyse to Ken. Bella’s eyes narrowed as she noticed Lottie’s behavior.
"Would you happen to know Maeve Welhaven?" Bella asked and Lottie stuttered, her gaze going everywhere but Bella’s face.
"I don’t know that person." She answered then quickly walked to Lyse’s side while Bella’s narrowed gaze stayed on her.
Ken reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. He opened it, revealing a stunning erald bracelet. The stones shimred in the light, their deep green hue catching the light.
"Please," he said, extending the box towards Lyse. "I want you to have this. It’s a small token of my gratitude."
Lyse’s eyes widened as she took in the sight of the exquisite bracelet. She hesitated, unsure of whether to accept such an extravagant gift.
"Oh, I couldn’t," she stamred, her voice hesitant. "It’s too much for doing sothing anyone would have done."
"Please," Ken insisted, gently closing her fingers around the box. "It would make very happy. And..." He paused, his gaze eting hers. "And it reminds of soone very special."
He then glanced at Bella who ca forward with a card which she handed to him and he held it out to Lyse. "And, this is my personal number. Call whenever you want to." he said.
Lyse looked from the bracelet to Ken, her confusion deepening. She could sense the deep emotion behind his gesture, but she couldn’t understand its source. She felt a strange connection to this man, a sense of familiarity that she couldn’t quite place.
Lottie, who had been watching the exchange with a delighted smile, stepped forward. "Lyse, darling," she said, her voice encouraging. "It would be rude to refuse such a generous gift. Mr. Stuart... Ken, is clearly very grateful."
Lyse looked at Ken again, her eyes filled with a mixture of confusion and gratitude. She didn’t understand why he was being so generous, but she could see the sincerity in his eyes.
"Thank you," she said softly, her voice barely a whisper. "Thank you so much."
Ken smiled, a genuine smile that reached his eyes. "You are very welco, Lyse," he said. "It’s the least I could do."
He knew that Lyse wasn’t Maeve, but she was a reminder of her, a fleeting glimpse of the woman he had lost. And for that, he was eternally grateful. He knew he would never forget her, and he hoped that one day, perhaps, he would understand the strange connection he felt towards her.
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