July, 2045

„Our place, tomorrow, 7 AM.“ [Future husband]

„Okay.“ [Tinkerbell]

Lisa was terribly nervous, as she parked her car at the beach parking lot next to Silas’s  motorbike. It was the next day after her birthday. Phin was believing she left early to do her morning workout and continued sleeping. 

Silas wasn’t around. Lisa exited her car, put off her sandals and went to the beach. She found him

sitting in the sand and staring at the sunrise. She sat down next to him, without saying a word. 

He didn’t look at her, being busy figuring out how to start the conversation. 

„Are you mad at me?“ she finally dared asking. 

Silas took a deep breath. Then he begun talking. 

„When I decided coming back, I made a plan. The plan was getting you back. I was ready to do everything what was necessary to make you mine. Of course I expected you having someone else. I’m not an idiot. But I didn’t put into consideration, that it might be my brother.“ 

Lisa didn’t know what to say, just staring at the breaking waves. 

„Why him, Lizzy? Why it must have been him…?“ Silas asked, his voice full of desperation. 

Lisa needed a moment to reply. 

„He was good to me, Silas. I was mess when you left. Phin was nothing but kind and understanding. His patience and his unconditional love helped me out of my crisis. He gave me everything I needed when I went through hell. And…“

She suddenly stopped talking. Silas turned his head slowly in her direction. 

And what?“ 

„His smell reminds me of yours.“ 

„You really love him,“ he said with breaking voice. 

Lisa nodded. 

Silas turned away, being unable to deal with his desperation. 

„But I love you more.“ 

Again he looked at her. Then he raised one hand and run with his fingers through her blond hair.

„Did you chang the color because of me?“ 

She nodded again. 

„Why?“ 

„Because you fell for me when I looked this way. I wanted to be the old me for you.“ 

He frowned.

„What’s your plan, Lizzy? What is going on in your mind?“ 

She lowered her head.

„I’ll leave Phin to be with you. And I’m sure he already knows.“

„Why would you say that?“ 

„He simply knows, Si. He knows what I feel for you.“ 

Silas grabbed her chin and made her look in his eyes again.

„I can’t do this to my brother, Lizzy. He’s my flesh and blood. I can’t hurt him this way.“ 

Immediately her eyes begun swimming. 

„You slept with me…“ she stammered, while tears were running down her cheeks. 

„I didn’t know you were with him. You didn’t tell me and let me do a terrible mistake.“ 

Lisa pushed his hand away, turning deeply upset. Then she stood up and run away. Silas immediately followed her.

„Lizzy!!!“ 

He run after her and grabbed her arm to make her stop. She was crying badly. It was breaking his heart to see her this way. He pulled her into her arms and embraced her tightly. 

„I’m sorry, Tinkerbell. I’m so sorry…“ 

January, 2024

Eve was sitting at a sun lounger in Justin’s front yard with a glass of still water in her hand. She felt little dizzy and left his birthday party to catch some fresh air. 

„Hey, are you okay?“ she suddenly heard him saying. 

He left the house and sat down next to her at the lounger. She smiled and him.

„I’m good. Don’t worry.“ 

Justin bent to her small baby belly. 

„Lizzy, come on. It’s my birthday. Let your mommy have some fun tonight. Can you do that for me?“ 

Eve giggled. 

„You’re nuts.“ 

Both looked at each other for a moment, thinking the same. Their feelings for each other were still unchanged. He needed all his strength keeping himself from kissing her devil red lips. Eve was in the same trouble. His tempting scent made her feel even more dizzy. Justin suddenly scoffed and lowered his head. 

„What is it?“ she asked curiously.

„You still drive me crazy, M…“ 

She grabbed his right hand and squeezed it gently. 

„We need more time.“ 

He looked at her again and shook his head. Both started smiling, knowing exactly it was a lie. 

„How are things with Jess? I can see, that she’s trying very hard to make things right,“ Eve said next. 

Justin sighed. 

„I’m still not sure, if this is what I want,“ he confessed. 

„But you love her.“

„Not like I love you, Eve.“ 

Eve didn’t know what to say. She loved him as well, but it wouldn’t help him at all to hear that. 

„Jess deserves another chance,“ she said instead. 

„That’s what you think?“ He asked skeptically. 

„You really wanna hear the truth?“ 

Justin nodded. 

„From all women in this world, she’s the only one I can imagine having you, without dying of jealousy.“ 

He raised his eyebrows, being surprised about what she just said. 

„So, looks like I have no other choice, hm?“ He said half seriously. 

Eve chuckled. 

„For the record. I will still be very jealous.“ 

He smirked. 

„I need to admit, I kind of like that.“

„I bet you do.“ 

The air-condition in Silas’ bedroom was broken. His window was wide open to get some fresh air. He was really tired, but he couldn’t fall asleep, knowing the house was full of party guests. Suddenly he heard his father entering the backyard, talking to someone. Curiously he left his bed and went to the open window. He watched Justin sitting down at the lounger next to Eve and listened to their conversation…