Chapter 30
The words hit me like a wave, leaving me momentarily speechless.
My chest tightened. Despite everything, Mrs. Douglas had been a mother figure to me when I needed it most.
The memory of our last conversation replayed in my mind, her frail but kind smile, her words of encouragement.
“Thank you for letting me know,” I said softly.
Louise’s voice grew gentler. “Sure.”
Later, I sat by the window, staring out at the rolling hills of the Italian countryside. Andrea found me there, his presence
grounding.
“You’ve been quiet,” he said, sitting beside me. “What’s on your mind?”
I hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. But Andrea had always been
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understanding, never pushing me about
my past.
That time, I felt it was important to explain everything, to ensure there were no misunderstandings between us.
“There’s something I need to tell you,” I began, my voice barely above a whisper.
I
Andrea gave me a reassuring squeeze. “You can tell me anything, Rachel.”
Taking a deep breath, I started from the beginning, the day Mrs. Douglas had entered my life, offering to fund my education, and the subsequent years that led to my marriage to Gale.
I shared the highs and the lows, the heartbreak of losing my child, and the
eventual decision to leave Providence and
start anew.
Andrea listened without interruption, his expression soft but attentive.
When I finished, he said, “Your past is
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part of who you are, but it doesn’t define the person I fell in love with. Thank you for trusting me enough to share this.”
His words eased the knot in my chest. “Thank you,” I whispered, feeling lighter.
Then, I told him about her passing, and the complicated feelings it stirred within me.
“She was like a mother to me,
99
I
admitted, my voice trembling. “Even after everything that happened, I can’t help but feel grateful for what she did for me. But it’s also… hard.”
Andrea took my hand in his, his grip firm yet comforting. “It’s okay to feel both gratitude and sadness, honey. She played an important role in your life. Mourning her doesn‘ t erase the struggles you faced; it just means you‘ re human.”
Tears slipped down my cheeks, but for the first time, they felt cleansing.
“Thanks, Andrea. You really are everything for me,” I whispered, leaning
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into his shoulder.
After discussing it with Andrea, we decided to come to the funeral.
With Andrea’s support and Louise‘ s help, I booked a flight back to Providence.
Andrea insisted on accompanying me, worried about the strain the trip might
cause me, especially since I was six months pregnant.
His care and attentiveness reminded me of how lucky I was to have him in my life.
As we landed in Providence, Louise and Hazel greeted us at the airport. Their expressions were solemn, reflecting the weight of the occasion.
“The funeral is already underway,” Louise said softly, guiding us to the car.
The drive to the cemetery was quiet, the air thick with unspoken thoughts. Andrea held my hand, his touch grounding me.
However, Louise suddenly shared what had
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happened after I left Providence, maybe to make me ready about what happened in Providence during the year after I left for Italy.
“I think I should tell you this,” he began.
I nodded, asking him to continue.
