Chapter 15
Elsie walked with a determined and sincere stride, as if she had been reborn.
She took a few steps forward and saw Bruce waiting for her, which warmed her heart.
The pain Ronald had caused her seemed to have healed.
With so many good people in the world, why should she waste her life on someone as despicable as Ronald?
Choosing to divorce him was really wise.
Bruce saw Elsie too. He got out of the car and walked toward her.
“Hey, did everything go okay? Did Ronald give you any trouble?” he signed, concern etched on his face.
Elsie shook her head. “No.”
Bruce pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her, pointing to his own eyes with a worried expression.
“You denied, but your eyes are clearly red from crying,” he signed.
Elsie took the handkerchief and pressed it to her eyes, not removing it for a moment.
She allowed herself to cry, letting all the pent–up grievances flow into the handkerchief.
Bruce’s demeanor at this moment became the greatest comfort in her eyes.
He showed her that there were people in the world who didn’t mind that she was mute.
She was just mute, not a criminal.Elsie’s shoulders shook, her slender frame fragile like a snowflake in winter, ready to melt at the slightest touch.
Bruce, feeling a pang of sympathy, pulled her into his arms, patting Her back gently. Sensing something, he took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders.
He didn’t say another word, letting Elsie vent out her emotions.
Their embrace was witnessed by Ronald from a distance.
Ronald couldn’t believe his eyes, his fists clenched, muscles tensed, as if he was ready to punch them.
He mocked himself for being so sentimental, worrying that Elsie wouldn’t be able to catch a cab late at night and wanting to give her a ride, but then he saw this.
She didn’t need him to take her anywhere.
There was someone who cared for her waiting right there.
Bruce looked up and met Ronald’s gaze.
Though it was their first meeting, Bruce recognized Ronald as the famous CEO of the York Group.
He didn’t let go of Elsie, instead nodding at Ronald.
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What was meant to be a simple greeting felt like a provocation to Ronald.
Ronald forced a smile, as if mocking Bruce for being so low.
He turned and walked away, his figure looking somewhat desolate.
Elsie, having vented her emotions, let Bruce take her to the airport.
“Thanks, Dr. Valois. Elsie’s eyes were still red, but she had calmed down.
“I thought we were friends. Bruce smiled, looking at Elsie’s strong expression, suppressing his own feelings. “Next time we meet, 1 hope you can sign my name directly.”
Elsie laughed, a relieved smile blooming like a flower.
Elsie signed, “No need to wait until next time, Bruce. Thanks for always being there for me,
They exchanged smiles, like old friends.
Soon it was time to board. After saying their goodbyes, Elsie got on the plane.
She took out her phone, snapped a photo of herself smiling, and posted it on Facebook with the caption: [Goodbye, old Elsie.]
She turned off her phone, her mind going blank.
There was no more Ronald, nor Missy, just herself.
She held the necklace around her neck, silently thinking, ‘Cedric, I’m coming back for you.‘
The next afternoon, the plane landed in Novaria.
The familiar scent made Elsie want to cry.
She had returned to the place where she and Cedric had countless beautiful memories.
The next day, Elsie visited Cedric’s mother, Naomi Williams.
The once elegant Naomi was now still graceful and refined.
Naomi warmly welcomed Elsie.
“Elsie, are you here on vacation? Where’s your husband? Didn’t he come with you?”
Elsie smiled awkwardly. She signed, “I got divorced. I’m staying here for good, not going back.”
Naomi was shocked. “What?”
The next second, she hugged Elsie tightly, her voice full of affection. Poor Elsie, it’s good you’re back. Come over often and I’ll keep you company.”
Elsie felt a warmth in her heart, her mind filled with Cedric’s smiling face.
Cedric’s gentle eyes, his kind words, and the soothing music all seemed vividly etched in memory.
Now, Cedric’s mother was once again a source of warmth for her.
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Chapter 15
It felt like fate..
They talked a lot about Cedric’s childhood, as if he were still alive.
The next day, she visited her teacher.
Few people knew that the internationally renowned pianist Frank Smith was both her and Cedric’s teacher.
Frank looked at Elsie with regret, his heart heavy. “If Cedric were still alive, you two would be so happy.”
Elsie smiled bitterly. If Cedric were still here, she wouldn’t have suffered so much.
She wouldn’t have forced herself to fall in love with Ronald just because he resembled Cedric.
Her love had been so cheap and humble.
She forced a smile and signed, “Mr. Smith, I’ll be living here from now on, not going back. I’ll be bothering you a lot.”
“What do you mean you’re not going back?” Frank’s white eyebrows jumped in surprise. “What about your husband?”
Elsie’s expression froze. She signed, “I got divorced. I want to focus on playing the piano and learn from you.”
Frank fell silent, letting out a deep sigh.
He thought that if Cedric were still alive, he and Elsie would have been married by now, possibly with several children.
But it was all just a hypothetical.
Elsie returned to her place. In the empty living room, she sat on the couch, her mind in turmoil.
She thought about Naomi and Frank’s surprised reactions to her divorce.
She tugged at the corners of her mouth, as if trying to smile but forgetting how.
When she had married Ronald, she had wanted to announce it to the world, to tell everyone how happy she was to marry him.
Now, no one could believe she had divorced Ronald.
Her heart seized with sudden anguish. She opened the locket, gazing intently at the ever–youthful visage within, her tears streaming down, soaking her tresses.
She kept whispering Cedric’s name in her heart.
Before falling asleep, she thought, ‘If only you were still alive.”
“Ronald, what’s up with you today? Didn’t Elsie hate it when you drank? How come you have time to ha
