Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)

She shook her head, "Nah, it looks a bit too high for my taste."

"What's there to fear when I'm here!"

Charlie let Kya play on her own while he took Emily's hand, stepping up the staircase that led them upwards.

At the top was a small rooftop deck, about twenty-four feet high from the ground, offering a perfect view of Kya looking up with curiosity. Emily waved to her daughter.

"Mom, be careful!" Kya called out with a soft voice, her hands cupped around her mouth.

Turning to her left, Emily spotted their neighbor, Amiee Jordan, who seemed a bit surprised to see them.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Emily turned to slide down, with Charlie sitting behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, "Ready?"

"You're not just using me as an excuse to play, are you?" Emily suddenly turned to ask.

Charlie tapped her head lightly, "Why would I be interested in something so childish if it wasn't for you?"

"Ha!" Emily scoffed, "So you admit it's childish, yet you still egged me on."

Before she could finish, Charlie pushed off, and they slid down rapidly.

Emily instinctively tightened her grip on his arm.

The thrill of the slide was undeniable, but before Emily could fully relive her childhood joy, they suddenly stopped at a curve.

"Did we get stuck?" Emily asked, puzzled.

It was dark outside, and the slide was semi-transparent, allowing only a faint light to filter through, making it difficult to see exactly where they were stuck. Charlie didn't answer but instead leaned in, capturing Emily's lips in a deep kiss.

With her breath quickening, Emily found herself unable to escape in the confined space, letting the man kiss her.

After what seemed like an eternity, Emily finally spoke, "Let's get out, Kya will start worrying if she can't find us!"

"Did you enjoy it?" Charlie's voice was husky, with a hint of laughter.

"Childish!" Emily chuckled.

As soon as she spoke, they slid down the rest of the way.

Kya was anxiously searching for them when she suddenly saw her parents appear and ran over happily.

Charlie stood up, lifting Kya into his

arms, then turned to look at Eme

who was also looking at him, "Childish Charlie, Kya, sounds like father like daughter!"

Charlie's face darkened as he reached out to pinch her cheek, "Dare to mock us? Let's see how we punish you?" Emily laughed and ran off.

*

Estelle was staying in the same villa she had visited for the first time, even the same room.

Standing on the balcony, looking out, the view of the estate was still the same, but it had been almost four years since her last visit.

It's only when you look back that you realize how fast time has flown!

Looking at the distant lawn, Estelle suddenly thought of Mrs. Macy, the gentle and beautiful woman.

And Winnie, wondering if she had

managed to break free from that

man and, like a phoenix, been reborn from the ashes to live a more splendid life?

Jonathan wrapped his arms around her from behind, "Feeling remorseful?"

Estelle turned, her back against the railing, her features delicate and surprised, "Remorseful?"

"Yes, the first time we came here,

you also took me to your

grandfather's place for the first time. You played the part so well, I didn't suspect a thing." Jonathan smited handsomely, "The only slip was Coco. It took me a while to understand that it was calling for Ella!"

Maybe he had sensed something was off then, but it was far from the truth.