Chapter 206 Maybe first love never dies

Chapter 206 Maybe first love never dies
Chapter 206: Maybe First Love Never Dies

One year later.

Florida had not changed much. The beaches still glowed gold at sunset. Palm trees still bent lazily with the wind. Luxury cars still rolled through the streets of the city like status symbols nobody questioned anymore.

But people changed.

Golden realized that slowly over the past year. Sometimes painfully, sometimes beautifully.

The woman standing in front of the mirror that evening barely resembled the version of herself from months ago. The old Golden had constantly been surviving something. Love. Betrayal. Fear. Expectations. Heartbreak.

This version of her looked calmer. Not completely healed but calmer.

She adjusted the diamond earrings on her ears before smoothing down the fabric of her black gown. The dress hugged her frame elegantly without trying too hard. Sophisticated. Understated. Mature.

Her phone buzzed softly on the vanity table. Alex was calling. Golden smiled faintly before answering on speaker while reaching for her clutch purse.

“Please tell me you're already there,” Alex said immediately.

Golden laughed softly. “The gala starts in twenty minutes.”

“And you’re still at home?”

“I’m leaving now.”

Alex sighed dramatically. “You are the guest of honor tonight. People are literally donating millions because your pediatric research program succeeded.”

Golden shook her head with a smile. "It wasn't only me."

“But you led it,” Alex replied. “Accept your flowers for once.”

Golden's smile softened. A year ago, conversations between them had felt strained. Awkward. Careful. Now things were better. Not exactly how they used to be during university. But real again.

“How are you?” Golden asked quietly.

There was a brief pause on the line.

“I’m okay,” Alex answered honestly.

Golden knew what that meant. Some heartbreaks did not end with explosions. Sometimes they ended quietly. Alex and Varney had not gotten back together, but they were civil now. Friendly even.

Sometimes Golden still caught sadness in both their eyes whenever they were mentioned together. But life moved anyway.

“Did you talk to him recently?” Golden asked gently.

Alex exhaled softly.

“He sent me pictures from Mexico yesterday,” she said. “His friend's grandmother made tamales.”

Golden smiled faintly. “That sounds like him.”

Alex laughed quietly on the other end.

“He misses you too, you know.”

Golden’s expression softened.

Varney still checked on her constantly. Still protective. Still overbearing sometimes. But after everything that happened with Xander, their bond had become even stronger. Family felt fragile now. Precious.

Golden grabbed her car keys.

“I should leave before the organizers start threatening me.”

“Too late,” Alex replied dryly. “They already threatened me.”

Golden laughed softly before ending the call. The mansion felt quiet as she walked out, not lonely, jut peaceful. She no longer hated silence.

Outside, the Florida night shimmered beautifully beneath city lights. Golden felt like she belonged to herself again.



The charity gala overflowed with wealth, elegance, and carefully curated smiles.

Crystal chandeliers hung overhead. Soft orchestra music floated through the ballroom. Politicians, investors, doctors, and business executives moved around in expensive gowns and tailored tuxedos discussing donations and medical expansion programs.

Golden had gotten used to these events now. People recognized her immediately the moment she entered. Conversations paused, smiles appeared. Several people approached her at once.

“Dr. Nixon.”

“You look stunning tonight.”

“Congratulations on the pediatric expansion.”

“The foundation in Chicago is incredible.”

Golden thanked them politely one after another, graceful as always. But deep down, part of her still felt uncomfortable with attention.

Across the ballroom, Alex waved dramatically from their table. Golden smiled and walked toward her.

Alex looked beautiful in silver tonight.

“You’re late,” she complained immediately.

“Apologies ma'am Alex.”

“I'll think about it.”

Golden laughed softly as she sat down beside her. Linda and Fabulous were there too. Things between the group had improved over time. Not perfect. Not like university. But adulthood taught people strange things about forgiveness and distance. Sometimes friendship survived loudly. Sometimes quietly.

“You nervous about the speech?” Fabulous asked.

Golden shook her head. "No."

“You should be,” Linda said while sipping champagne. “Half the room donated because they're obsessed with you.”

Golden rolled her eyes lightly. "That’s terrifying. Don't say it like that."

Alex leaned closer. “You deserve this, Gigi.”

Golden looked at her best friend quietly for a moment. Then smiled softly. "Thank you."

The ballroom lights dimmed slightly as another announcement began near the stage. Golden turned her attention toward it absentmindedly. Until she saw him. Her breath stopped.

For a second, the entire room disappeared around her. He stood near the entrance speaking quietly with one of the event organizers. But he looked slightly different. He wore a simple black suit with no tie. His hair slightly longer now. Less polished. Less intimidating. Calmer.

Golden stared before she could stop herself. As if sensing it, Allan slowly looked up. Their eyes met across the ballroom. Everything inside her chest tightened painfully and softly at once.

He looked surprised too, not dramatically. Just quietly caught off guard.

Alex noticed immediately. Her expression shifted carefully. “Oh.”

Golden swallowed slowly. "I didn't know he'd be here."

Alex looked between them cautiously. "He disappeared for months."

After resigning from several public companies, Allan had almost vanished completely from media and business circles. Rumors spread constantly online. Some claimed he relocated overseas. Others claimed he suffered a breakdown. Some said he sold parts of his empire quietly.

Nobody really knew the truth. Allan slowly excused himself from the people around him. Then started walking toward her.

Golden's heart betrayed her immediately. One stupid beat at a time. Alex touched her hand lightly before standing up.

“I’m going to find champagne.”

Golden almost laughed at the obvious escape. Then Allan reached the table. For a moment neither of them spoke. Up close, she noticed the changes more. He looked lighter somehow. Still handsome, still Allan, but softer around the edges.