James calmly sipped his tea, basking in the moment, watching her chaotic movements. There was still plenty of time before they had to leave.
Everything was going according to plan. “Will you help with my bows?” the young performer chirped, bouncing over. Then the phone rang.
“Dr. Carter, hello! Get to the hospital now! They’re bringing in a critical patient, a very important person!” The chief’s commanding tone left no room for argument. “Lily, I’ve been called for an emergency surgery,” James said, always speaking to his daughter like an adult.
Her lips pouted, and a tear glistened in her eye. “Dad, you promised!” Her words tugged at his heart. “I really want to go with you, but someone’s life depends on me.”
Lily looked away, disappointed, but it was clear she understood. “Listen, I’ll ask someone to record your performance on their phone.” He pulled her close and looked into her eyes.
“You’re going to sing so beautifully! And you’re my gorgeous girl!” He rubbed noses with her—their special sign of reconciliation. She couldn’t hold back a smile. Rushing to the stairwell, he rang Mrs. Dorothy’s doorbell.
No answer. As he descended the stairs, he called her. “Oh, I’m at my cabin today!” the neighbor lamented when he explained his request.
“Alright, I’ll figure something out at work,” James thought, hurrying to his car. In the hospital corridor, he spotted Hannah and lit up. “Hannah! Just the person I need!” She looked at him questioningly, expecting a work task.
“Hannah, I’m begging you. I can’t make it to my daughter’s school concert, and it’s so important to her. She’s the soloist. Please, record her performance on your phone and give her a bouquet of flowers. I’ll give you money now.” The janitor was stunned by the unexpected request.
“But I don’t even know your daughter, Dr. Carter.” James pulled out his wallet for cash and showed her a photo of Lily. “This is her, her name’s Lily. Hannah, please! There’s no one else I can ask.” Her pleading look was impossible to refuse. “Tell me where the school is,” she smiled.
The school was a fifteen-minute walk. Hannah decided to go on foot. First, she stopped at a flower shop and picked out a small, sweet bouquet perfect for a girl.
Nature had gifted a warm October day. Autumn had painted the trees in shades of gold and crimson. Against the azure sky, they looked festive.
The summer-weary sun generously offered its last gentle rays, eager for a rest. Hannah was glad for the chance to stroll. A light breeze tried to ruffle the bouquet of delicate asters, accented with tiny roses and other flowers she didn’t recognize.
A distinct, intoxicating fragrance, mixed with a bitter, wormwood-like scent, formed a heady, enchanting blend. The auditorium was packed.
Parents fidgeted, awaiting the concert’s start. Chatty moms gossiped endlessly. A few dads set up cameras to record their talented kids.
The air buzzed like a beehive. Amid the crowd, a group of four men in formal dark suits and ties stood out near the stage. “Probably city officials,” Hannah thought.
There weren’t enough seats, so she stood in the aisle. She was almost right. Opening the concert, the principal introduced one of the men as a school benefactor and fawningly asked him to take the stage.
He was a short, stocky man with dark hair and a bored expression. His speech was dull and brief, mostly about how he had helped, was helping, and would continue to help.
The audience clapped tepidly. Before returning to his seat, the businessman scanned the room. Suddenly, his gaze locked on Hannah and froze. His face showed shock and fear, but he quickly composed himself and rejoined his entourage.
During the performance, he glanced at her several times, unsettling her completely. Finally, Lily took the stage and sang a heartfelt song in a surprisingly clear, ringing voice, gesturing expressively. Hannah gave her the flowers, saying they were from her dad, who loves her, and added that she performed wonderfully. The young singer blushed gratefully and hugged the bouquet. Mission accomplished, Hannah exhaled with relief and headed back to work.
But in the lobby, one of the businessman’s burly escorts blocked her path. “Sweetheart, I’ve finally found you,” a voice said from behind. It was the school benefactor.
He approached with open arms, grinning broadly. Hannah instinctively raised her hand to stop his advance. “Marina, darling! I’ve been searching for you so long!” he persisted, trying to get closer.
“You’ve mistaken me for someone else. My name is Hannah.” She was genuinely scared.
“I’m your husband, Edward. Don’t you recognize me at all?” He widened his eyes in feigned surprise. “Listen, I’m Hannah, and I’ve never been married.”
He kept staring at her intensely. “Sorry, I have to get to work.” Seizing a pause, she tried to slip away.
Edward perked up. “I’ll drive you, darling.” “No, no, it’s close.”
He ignored her refusal, ushered her forward, and led her to his car, lightly holding her elbow. Three black tinted SUVs parked nearby looked like a gangster convoy from a ‘90s movie. Her heart sank, but logic suggested otherwise.
A respected man had mistaken her for someone else. Maybe he’d realize it on the way. But she couldn’t convince him.
He stared at her the whole ride, tossing out phrases. “Everyone thought you drowned. How did you survive?” Exhausted from arguing, Hannah was thrilled when they finally arrived.
James stood on the steps, having come down for a coffee from the vending machine after a tough surgery, waiting for Hannah. The convoy of black cars couldn’t help but catch his eye.
Hannah bolted from the car, her face tense, and hurried toward the entrance. The well-dressed man pursued her. “Marina, wait!” he shouted.
He caught up and grabbed her arm. James didn’t like where this was going. He approached and removed the man’s hand from her.
“What’s going on?” he asked the pursuer. “I found my dead wife, and for some reason, she’s running from me,” the businessman replied nervously. James shrugged. “Hannah, who is this?”
“Dr. Carter, I swear I don’t know him. He’s got me mixed up with someone.” The businessman still tried to reach for her, but James stepped between them, shielding her.
Two hulking bodyguards rushed to their boss’s aid. The situation was heating up. “Look, it sounds like your wife was named Marina. This is Hannah. She works here and has never met you. Maybe she just looks similar—it happens,” James said calmly, gently nudging Hannah toward the hospital entrance.
She slipped away instantly, and the frustrated man was left facing the doctor. “Fine,” he muttered menacingly and walked off with his bodyguards. “Strange. He doesn’t seem crazy,” James thought, jotting down the car’s license plate just in case.
But this was only the beginning. The next day, Hannah arrived at work pale as a ghost. Her hands trembled uncontrollably. James called her into an empty staff room. “What happened now?” he asked with concern.