Chapter 129

Jessica's heart pounded against her ribcage. The sharp click of her heels echoed down the hallway. The men who had been chatting heard her coming and slowed down. They politely stepped aside, giving her space to pass. Jessica froze. She came to a halt right in front of the familiar man. She was right. She had seen his face hundreds, if not thousands, of times in her mind on countless nights. There was no way she could mistake him for someone else. He was older now, yet his expression and his features were exactly the same. He was the man in the photograph. He was her father—the man she hadn't seen in over 20 years. "Little lady, are you here for the birthday cake? Did you lose your way?" asked the man. It was the first time she had ever heard his voice. Jessica was so nervous that she was tongue-tied. Yet, the man beside him broke the silence. "Jessica?" Jessica was caught off guard. Did he know her? Realization dawned on her. The man standing next to her father was Celine'