Following their meal, Lilah spent some quality time with Jerrold, engaging in play until the clock struck nine. Deciding it was bedtime, she sat by him, reading a fairy tale until his eyes grew heavy. But just before he succumbed to sleep, he uttered a word that tugged at Lilah's heartstrings: "Mommy..."

That word, infused with a child's longing, shook Lilah deeply.

She gazed down at the sleeping boy, his delicate features clouded by a hint of sorrow. With a gentle hand, she soothed away the crease between his eyebrows and wrapped him snuggly in his blanket. A soft kiss on his forehead sealed her emotions. "Sleep tight," she whispered as she slowly left the room.

Upon returning to her apartment, Lilah took a shower. Emerging refreshed from the bathroom, she was greeted by a glow from her phone; a new notification awaited her.

Lilah's phone buzzed with a notification: "Long time no see! Your fans have missed you on Shake-Shake!"

Shake-Shake, a global sensation in the realm of short videos, had once been Lilah's playground. Each video, wrapped up in a neat minute, offered a world of creativity. On a whim, Lilah had uploaded a clip of herself singing a few years back. The virtual applause was deafening; her followers swelled into tens of thousands. The stage was set for more; perhaps a song now and then or even Live sessions.

However, things took a turn when Iker stumbled upon her digital fame.

"The Internet's a strange place, Lilah. Imagine the oddballs knocking at your door," he'd cautioned. Heeding his words, Lilah dialed down her online presence, nearly fading into obscurity.

Now, as she stared at her screen, she couldn't help but wonder if Iker's protective streak was just a mask for his ego. His pride probably couldn't fathom a world where a woman shone brighter.

A trip down memory lane ended abruptly when she opened the app and saw a lot of unread messages on Shake-Shake.

“Dreamer, where did you vanish? We've missed your magic. Anything new brewing?"

“Been forever, Dreamer. Eager for another song!"

"Your voice is like a fresh breeze, Dreamer."

“Any plans for a live session, Dreamer?"

The username "Dreamer" was Lilah's digital identity. The constant stream of messages, some even sent regularly, touched her. It was as if her digital family had been waiting, their patience unwavering.

She felt a twinge of guilt for her prolonged silence, a choice influenced by Iker. Though she had traveled abroad, Shake-Shake was a forgotten bookmark in her life. But today, the stage beckoned.

Lilah started a live stream.

“LoveCilantro is now tuning in!"

"“MusicEveryday just joined!"

The count of viewers skyrocketed within minutes. She chatted briefly with her audience, catching up on lost time. Then, letting her voice take center stage, she sang a few songs.

Mid-performance, Lilah's attention shifted to a mew alert. She must've unintentionally clicked on a feature she wasn't familiar with.

Suddenly, her screen split in two. On the other end was another performer, looking striking with bold makeup and an outfit that spoke of confidence. Her eyes, however, betrayed surprise when they met Lilah's.

Lilah looked at the familiar face, and a single thought came to mind:

Of all people.