The night the past returned

Seven years had passed in a blink of an eye.

"Thalia Frost is here!"The screams of the reporters erupted, slicing through the night.

The sleek black limousine purred to a perfect halt, before the glittering entrance of the Grand Palais.

Cameras were already flashing, the red carpet glowing under the bright lights. Thalia stepped out first.

Every inch of her exuded red gown hugged her frame sexily to the diamond earrings that swayed with each poised movement,radiating elegance with every breath.

She held her six years old daughter's hand, Tracey who was in a matching version of her gown.

She glanced down at her with a pretty smile.

On the other side, the second door opened. George emerged, dressed in black tuxedo. In his arms their son, Jay clung to his father's lapel, equally dashing in a matching suit with a bow tie.

George walked to her side and entwined his fingers with hers in a romantic manner.

This earned a big scream from reporters.

"Thalia! George!"

"Thalia look here, one picture please!"

"Are those your kids? Twins?"

Tracy and Jay looked alike, it was easy to know they're twins.

And what surprised reporters was George and Thalia together, the first time to see them together and that too with kids.

"Thalia! George! How long have you been together?!"

Thalia and George, didn't pause or flinch, not even to the relentless clicking of cameras.

"Thalia! What do you have to say about him?"

"George! Are you the father of her kids?"

And the last question made her stop before approaching the glass doors.

"Thalia! Is he your husband or your boyfriend?"

"He's my husband." She replied.

She has never announced her marriage to George, not after what happened to her seven years ago. But tonight, she decided to speak it aloud.

George glanced at her, giving her a ‘are you really sure about this?’ look. And she nodded reassuring him.

The life she had now was not the one she once believed was her dream.

It was a better one.

She had never regretted walking away from Franklin's life, never did she regret marrying George or letting his love shield her through the shadows.

Then the glass doors of the Grand Palais swung open, the room seemed still. Crystal chandeliers bathed the marble floor in gold, Violins sang softly in the background and every head turned towards the woman who just entered.

"Isn't that Thalia?" The murmurs started.

Yet she didn't flinch.

"Don't be nervous, okay?" George squeezed her hand and she smiled.

“I'm fine.” She kissed the back of his hand, even if the camera was still clicking somewhere.

Rosy, her best friend, joined them.

"Welcome, baby." She grinned and embraced her warmly.

"Thank you."Thalia purred, she couldn't embrace properly, George held her like she was going to disappear any moment.

"Hi, George." Rosy smiled, greeting him simply.

She reached out to Jay.

“Come here, sweetheart. Let daddy breathe for some time”

Jay kissed George's cheek before slipping into her arms.

"Stay with your brother, okay?" Thalia persuaded Tracey as well.

Rosy chuckled, she took the twins to a reserved table.

"Are you okay?"George asked.

"Of course, I'm just a bit nervous. I don't know if I will be the best model this year." Thalia said.

That award was her dream award and she's been working so hard for it.

"Are you doubting yourself?" He asked, caressing her brows.

"I don't know." She replied nervously biting her lips.

"Let's do this then," He said. "If you win, I get anything I want from you."

"And if you don't?"

"Well, you get anything you want." He chuckled before placing a light kiss on her forehead.

The evening elite were gathered there-Politicians, Old money heirs, and Industry giants.

The award segment began, the stage glittering under the spotlight and the host's voice carried through the massive hall— announcing the nominees in categories.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, the moment we've all been waiting for,"The host said smilingly before tearing open the golden envelope.

"The best model of the year Award winner in Paris is..."She stopped.

Thalia held George's hand tightly, her eyes shut.

"Thalia Frost!"

The hall erupted with cheers, camera flashes strobing like light Ming.

"Thalia or nobody. She deserves it!"

"She's worth it!"

George smiled at Thalia.

Tears blurred her vision, tears of joy.

"I did it George." She choked out.

"Go, your award is waiting." George smiled.

---

Yulia stood up in shock as if she saw a ghost,she was watching the event at the hospital, where Franklin was admitted.

He had an accident this morning, and she was told to wait at the reception.

Her eyes still wide out of shock.

Thalia, the best Model of the year in Paris.

"Mrs Blackwood, the doctor would like to have a word with you." A nurse called her from behind.

"Nurse, tell me it's not true, she's the best model of the year, her?" She said to the nurse.

"Ma'am, she deserves it." The nurse responded with a faint smile. "But your husband's life or her success, what matters now?"

Yulia glared before following her, the shock gripped her so much.

She entered the doctor's office, while the nurse left.

"Doctor, how's my husband doing?" She asked, worriedly.

"He has lost a lot of blood. Currently he needs blood —B positive. And a deposit of one million dollars

"Doctor, I'm not— B positive. Do something somehow to save him! If anything happens to my Franklin I won't take it easy with you!" She yelled.

"Ma'am, yelling at me won't solve a thing. Find a donor, deposit one million dollars. Or we can't start his treatment."

"Doctor, one million and he's B positive? Where do you expect me to get it?"Her voice broke, a tear escaped her eyes.

"Ma'am, you can leave my office now."The doctor said, flatly to her face.

"Nothing should happen to Franklin, else I'll sue this hospital, do you get it?!" She snapped before storming out.

Yulia didn't even know what to do, so many problems— she lost her little daughter in a plane crash two years ago, Franklin’s business crashed in Mexico, forcing them to hide in Paris, and in the morning while driving Franklin got into an accident.

And to save his life, a blood type that was rare and she has to deposit one million dollars.

Where's she supposed to get that from? Who will help her?

‘The best model of the year award winner is…Thalia Frost’ That rang in her head.

Yes…Thalia, her only hope. Without thinking she boarded a taxi.

She would bet it, Thalia will help her. Especially when she hears about Franklin's conditions.

“Where to ma'am?” The cabbie asked.

“Grand Palais” Yulia replied, her voice laced with confidence.

She was certain Thalia would help.

She didn't know Thalia…wasn't the same woman anymore.