Chapter 177

Cecilia's pov The second chime still rang in my ears as Mom crossed the room, muttering, "That must be Peggy." Peggy? My stomach did a small, suspicious somersault. Peggy Foster--my mother's longtime coworker and our neighbor. Sweet woman. The door swung open, and Peggy walked in with her warm smile, but it wasn't her presence that made my heart skip a beat. It was the tall figure behind her. Simon Foster. Tall, lean, impeccably dressed in a white button-down with sleeves casually rolled to reveal tanned forearms. Wire-rimmed glasses framed intelligent eyes that held both gentleness and intensity. He looked like he'd walked straight out of an indie film -- the brooding academics type-- more mature than I remembered, with an understated confidence that commanded attention. The moment he stepped inside, those eyes found mine, and his lips curved into a familiar smile. "Cecilia," he said, his voice washing over me like an old melody. "It's been a while." I stood automatically, my face arr