Norah turned to Henson and smiled. "I didn't expect such a beautiful yard back here."
Henson quietly breathed a sigh of relief, slipping back into his usual relaxed demeanor as he looked around. "It definitely doesn't match the vibe of a barbecue joint."
It was his first time visiting the restaurant, but one look at the yard told him exactly who had designed it.
He finally understood just how much effort Norah had poured into this place.
Kya wriggled out of Norah's arms and ran over to the cat house. She practically shoved her little head inside, searching everywhere. "Is there a kitty in here? Where's the kitty?"
Norah felt the same way. There should have been a cat in that little house—a white cat, to be exact.
But it was empty.
Kya started crawling into the cat house on her hands and knees. Seeing that she was about to squeeze all the way in, Henson hurried over and scooped her up. "No kitties here, Kya. Stop looking."
Kya reached out to grab a rose from the wall. Henson hoisted her onto his shoulders so she could reach the biggest bloom at the very top.
Norah couldn't help but laugh. "Practicing for fatherhood already? If Jonathan sees this, he's going to be even more anxious for one of his own!"
"What good is him being anxious? That's entirely up to Estelle!"
Henson usually idolized Jonathan, so it was rare to hear him brush off his uncle like that.
"Norah."
A hoarse, deep voice broke the air. Norah's heart skipped a beat, and she spun around.
Gonzalez stared at her intently. His knuckles were pale from clenching his fists, betraying his nervous tension. For a fleeting second, he truly believed she had remembered everything.
A sudden wave of panic washed over him—the terrifying vulnerability of finally having what he wanted within reach.
Norah stared back at him. Faint, blurry fragments flashed through her mind, but they vanished before she could grasp them.
After a moment of silence, she spoke, her voice laced with confusion. "What are you doing here?"
The hope in Gonzalez's chest plummeted into a heavy disappointment. His gaze darkened slightly as he stood in silence before finally answering, "I came to eat."
"I'll go with you!" Norah twirled the rose in her hand, teasing Kya as they walked back. After a few steps, she turned around. "Are you coming inside, Gonzalez?"
"You go ahead," Gonzalez replied quietly. "I'm going to have a smoke."
Norah gave a slight nod and walked away with Henson.
He had been holding it together just fine, but standing in this yard, looking at a Norah who felt absolutely zero attachment to him or this place, Gonzalez felt an uncontrollable wave of suffocating despair crash over him.
He pulled out a cigarette. It took him two tries with the lighter to get it going.
He glanced down at Coco. The dog's dark eyes stared back at him, seemingly confused as to why Norah didn't recognize him or want to play. Coco let out a few sad, innocent whimpers.
Gonzalez walked over and crouched down, petting the dog's head gently. He didn't know if he was comforting the dog or himself. "It's okay. She'll remember."
"She's just hiding for a little while."
*

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
Please update the chapters...
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Another day gone by without the updates...
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Phoebe always wanted to be a Foster so she'll do whatever she can to be with Kai and he is jealous of Carson's status. Thank you for the updates....
Another twist, Phoebe will try and hook up with Kai Foster. Thank you for the updates....
Thank you for the updates....