Weeks before the Women in Power Global Gala, the invitation arrived at a sleek office in the heart of Lev City.
Dr. Liz Runbert sat back in her leather chair, her sharp eyes scanning the elegant invitation card. She was asked to be the keynote guest speaker–a recognition of her rising star status in behavioral science.
She smiled thinly.
This was perfect.
"Prepare the itinerary," she told her assistant, Mark Ontio, a meticulous 29 years old man with a knack for details.
"I want to know everything about the event, the venue, the country, the people."
Days later, Mark returned with a report.
"The gala is hosted in Ori City, renowned for it's luxury and international gatherings. It's a big deal. The guest list is exclusive– high-profile women across fashion, politics, business."
He paused and added, "The number one name on the invite list is Ms. Maria Ailenie. She's been the global fashion sensation for four consecutive years."
Liz arched an eyebrow.
"Who?" she asked, genuinely uninterested.
"Maria Ailenie. She's from Lev City but currently have stayed in Ori City for a few years now, the number of years wasn't mentioned. She's a fashion designer, and a philanthropist. Quite influential worldwide."
Liz waved it off.
"I don't care about fashion," she said flatly.
"Focus on the science and the speech prep," she added.
That evening, after dismissing Mark, Liz sat before her laptop. Her curiosity–unexpected and unwelcome–nudged her fingers to type Maria Ailenie into the search bar.
The screen flooded with images: glossy magazine covers, runway shows, red carpet moments.
Her breath hitched.
She had heard rumors–years ago, from someone–that Maria was dead.
One of Maria's father's friends daughter had whispered the story, an obscure tale she had brushed aside.
Her fingers hovered over the keyboard as she searched deeper.
Articles talked about Maria's rapid rise in fashion, her residence, and her "inspirational" story.
But there was one thing missing.
No mention of a child.
No interviews with a mother's voice.
No signs of a family.
A cold thought struck her.
What if the IVF didn't work?
She remembered the treatments they'd shared, the secret hope. The tangled mess of feelings she never allowed herself to fully process.
If Maria was alive, successful, but childless, what did that mean?
And if she wasn't childless...
Why had no one mentioned it?
Questions swirled in her mind.
Had Maria truly moved on? Was she still hiding? Or was the past waiting in the wings, ready to unravel everything?
Liz closed the laptop slowly, her heart heavier than she expected.
The upcoming gala wasn't just another event anymore.
For the first time, it was personal.