Oxford, England, 2024
The morning light streamed into Brooke’s apartment, casting a soft glow over everything. Spring was just around the corner, and the flowers in the pots on her balcony were beginning to peek out shyly, filling the air with a faint, fresh scent.
A beautiful Friday to make the most of a rare day off, Brooke thought as she tried to soak in the peace of the warm morning sun. After a week packed with work commitments at the museum, her only free day in weeks had finally arrived. No need to worry about the exhibitions she was curating or the negotiations with art collectors. She could relax and spend quality time with her daughter, savoring the calm of being at home.
Her job was both demanding and captivating. As a curator at one of Oxford’s most prestigious museums, Brooke played a key role in the preservation and promotion of art. Her days often started early, with morning meetings to discuss upcoming exhibitions, acquisitions of new works, and the restoration of valuable pieces that required her expert attention. Every exhibition the museum hosted bore her personal touch, from selecting the artworks to planning their layout in the galleries, ensuring the visual story was cohesive and engaging.
Brooke spent hours negotiating with artists, gallery owners, and collectors from around the world, seeking unique pieces to enrich the museum’s permanent collection. She also oversaw the team of restorers, making sure the artworks were maintained in pristine condition and that the history of art was preserved with the utmost respect and care. At times, she dove into research, exploring the backgrounds of lesser-known works or analyzing pieces with an academic lens, keeping her up to date with the latest trends in the art world.
The pressure was relentless, with tight deadlines to meet, special events to coordinate, and the constant need to keep sponsors and donors satisfied. Yet the rewards were just as significant. Her work not only brought her prestige but also provided financial stability, allowing her to live comfortably and give Ava everything she needed. The long hours at the museum felt worthwhile when she saw her daughter enjoying a peaceful life, free from the financial struggles Brooke herself had faced in her younger years.
Though her professional life was full of challenges, Brooke felt fulfilled seeing the impact of her work on the artistic community and the broader world of art. Sometimes, the exhibitions she curated reached thousands of people, filling her with immense pride. She had invested years of study and hard work, and now, at thirty, she was reaping the rewards of that dedication—a comfortable salary that gave her the freedom to choose how to spend her time and provide her daughter with a life without hardship.
Brooke sat on her bed, smiling at the thought of surprising Ava with a special breakfast. She had planned to make her favorite pancakes, topped with fresh strawberries and a drizzle of honey, paired with a glass of natural juice. She loved spoiling her, and what better way than to bring breakfast in bed, where they could snuggle under the blankets and enjoy a quiet morning together, watching cartoons and laughing. It was one of those small moments that filled her heart with joy.
Just as she stood up, ready to get started, a little voice interrupted her.
“Mommy, I don’t feel good.”
Brooke’s eyes darted to Ava instantly. She was standing by the bedroom door, clutching her teddy bear, but something about her face didn’t look right. The paleness of her skin and her cough set off alarm bells. She clearly wasn’t her usual self, and that worried Brooke.
“What’s wrong, sweetheart?”
“My nose is all stuffy,” Ava replied, tilting her head back. “See my boogers?”
Brooke let out a relieved sigh, seeing that she wasn’t completely down and out.
“Oh, poor thing…” she murmured, kneeling down to hug her. “Do you feel okay enough to eat breakfast while I book a doctor’s appointment?”
Ava, still hugging her teddy bear, looked up with a small smile.
“Yeah, I’m hungry.”
“Come on, hop into my bed. I’ll bring breakfast soon.”
Ava nestled into the sheets, letting Brooke tuck her in.
While Brooke prepared breakfast, she quickly grabbed her phone and called the hospital where Ava was usually seen. After a brief exchange with the receptionist, she managed to secure an appointment with Dr. Richards for later that morning.
“All set!” Brooke said with a smile as she walked into the room with a cup of tea, a glass of milk, and a plate of pancakes topped with strawberries and honey. “How about a special breakfast to help us feel better?”
Ava nodded eagerly.
After breakfast, they got ready to head out. Brooke helped her daughter get dressed, and together they made their way to the door, prepared for the trip to the doctor’s office.
“Let’s get you feeling better,” Brooke said, trying to stop Ava from poking her fingers up her nose to “check” its status.
The hospital wasn’t far, so Brooke buckled Ava into her car seat and got behind the wheel. As she drove through the city streets, she tried to ease her worries, reminding herself it was probably just a cold.
They finally arrived and checked in at reception. In the waiting room, Ava, curious as ever, kept herself busy inspecting the coloring books set out for young patients.
Suddenly, the sound of a door closing caught Brooke’s attention. And, without warning, her heart flipped in her chest. Among the people passing by, a familiar figure appeared in the hallway. A tall man with dark hair, walking with unmistakable confidence.
No… it couldn’t be.
Ethan Montgomery.
It was him, without a doubt, though he looked more mature, and his hair, once dark and thick, was now cropped shorter. But it was him! Ethan!
Panic started to flood her chest. What was he doing here?
Brooke, caught between disbelief and shock, tried to hide behind a plant in the corner. The old trick of “if you don’t want to be seen, act like you’re really interested in a plant.”
“Mommy, why are you hiding behind that plant?” Ava asked loudly.
“Oh… it’s nothing, sweetie, I’m just looking at the leaves. Aren’t they pretty? We should get one of these for home.”
Brooke crouched down, touching the leaves with exaggerated fascination, as if she were genuinely captivated by something fascinating. Thankfully, Ava didn’t pay much attention.
Finally, Ava’s name was called. Dr. Richards appeared at the doorway with a warm smile. Brooke seized the moment to take a deep breath and pull herself together.
“Hi, Ava. What’s going on with you?”
“My nose is stuffy,” she said with a nasal voice. “And I’ve got lots of boogers.”
“Oh, that doesn’t sound like fun,” the doctor replied with a sympathetic nod. “Anything else? Does your throat hurt?”
Ava nodded solemnly.
“A little.”
“Alright, let’s take a look,” Dr. Richards said, pulling out his flashlight. “Open your mouth wide, like you’re a lion roaring.”
Ava obeyed, letting out an exaggerated “Aaaah!” as the doctor checked her throat.
“Looks like a cold,” he remarked, straightening up. “Nothing serious, but let’s make sure you feel better soon.”
Brooke exhaled, feeling the worry in her chest ease slightly. But just then, the door to the exam room swung open abruptly.
“Sorry to interrupt, but…” a male voice began.
Brooke turned her head, and her heart stopped for a second. There, in the doorway, stood Ethan Montgomery. Her Ethan. Or rather, her ex-Ethan.
The surprise in his eyes was unmistakable. He froze for a moment, as if his brain was still processing what he was seeing.
“I need the file for…” he started, but his gaze remained locked on Brooke.
Dr. Richards looked at him with mild confusion.
“Yes?”
Ethan blinked, as if only just remembering why he’d come in.
“I need the file for…” he repeated, but then his eyes landed on Ava, and something in his expression shifted dramatically. His surprise deepened, his jaw tightened, and before he could stop himself, he asked:
“Is she your daughter?”
Brooke felt a knot twist in her stomach, but she took a breath, trying to keep her voice steady.
“Yes, this is Ava. My daughter.”
There was a heavy second of silence, until Ava, with her characteristic spontaneity, pointed straight at Ethan and exclaimed with enthusiasm:
“That’s Mommy’s old boyfriend!”
The entire room seemed to freeze. Brooke felt her face burn. Ethan stood there, mouth slightly agape, utterly stunned.
And then, Dr. Richards, with the calm of someone who’s seen it all in his career, smiled and said casually:
“Well, Ava, let’s get you something to help with that cough.”