Chapter Ninety Nine

As I stepped out of the car, holding Liam's hand tightly, my heart raced with anticipation. Returning to the city after two long years, I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. The bakery, the place where I had grown up and where my passion for baking had flourished, held a special place in my heart. I had hoped to find solace and familiarity within its walls, but as I approached, my heart sank.

The bakery, once bustling with life and the delicious aroma of freshly baked goods, now stood dark and empty. The sign that had proudly displayed the name "Naomi's Bakery" was gone, replaced by a plain, nondescript board. My breath caught in my throat, and a wave of agony washed over me.

I couldn't understand why the bakery had been closed down. Had it fallen into disrepair during my absence? Or had the royal families, angered by my disappearance, taken it away from my family as retribution? Questions swirled in my mind, but the answers eluded me.

Desperate for answers, I