Chapter 15
Asteria had left everything behind.
The once–cherished things, now cold and lifeless, had only held meaning because they were filled with love. But once the person who had loved them was gone, they were nothing more than forgotten relics.
Primo suddenly found himself lost, unsure of what to do next.
It wasn’t until his eyes landed on the open notebook that the pieces began to fall into place.
The strange behavior of Asteria in the past few days, the odd phone call, suddenly, it all made sense.
He immediately dialed Assistant Sorell’s number. “Find Asteria’s mother’s
address. Do it now.”
That night, Primo tossed and turned, his mind racing, while Asteria slept soundly.
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Isabelle, showering her long–lost daughter with love, had no idea what the future held.
The moment she learned Asteria was
leaving for another country, she had already started making preparations, ensuring everything would go smoothly.
The mattress had to be soft yet firm enough to provide support, and the sheets and blankets had to feel like a gentle embrace against the skin.
The wardrobe was filled with clothes for
every season, each neatly hung and ready for any weather.
But it was the sight of Asteria making breakfast in the kitchen that truly broke Isabelle’s heart.
“How can you do all this?” Isabelle‘ s voice trembled. “Where’s Aunt
Sunshine?”
Asteria expertly flipped an egg in the pan. “Mom, there’s no need to bother Aunt Sunshine. I’ve learned to do it myself over
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the years. I’ll make sure you get a taste of my cooking soon.”
Primo never liked having outsiders in the house, so they had never hired a maid.
Asteria had taken it upon herself to care for the house, cook Primo’s meals, and handle the chores.
For her, doing more for the person she loved was simply a natural part of being together.
Isabelle’s heart twisted painfully at the thought. “How much suffering have you endured over the years?’
Asteria had always been the sensible one, even as a child, quietly shouldering burdens that no one had ever asked her to
bear.
No matter the circumstances, Asteria always kept her troubles hidden, choosing only to share the good news.
Isabelle knew, without a doubt, that Asteria
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had loved Primo deeply.
In the past, Isabelle had tried to bring Asteria closer, but each time, Asteria had refused, unwilling to leave Primo‘ s side.
But now, looking back, if Isabelle had known the kind of life Asteria had
endured, she would never have allowed her daughter to suffer this way, even if it meant breaking them apart.
“Mom, we promised not to talk about the past.”
Asteria set a steaming bowl of preserved egg and garlic fried rice before Isabelle, her hands steady.
To her, it wasn’t suffering.
Love often came with its own set of
insecurities.
When Asteria loved Primo, she always felt like she wasn’t enough, never expecting him to love her back.
But seeing him openly shower affection on
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Yesha made her realize the truth. If it
hadn’t been for that moment, she
would‘ ve kept loving him, blind to everything else.
“Alright, we won’t mention it,” Isabelle said softly, her voice warm. “But know this: my daughter is the best. Let those who failed to cherish her regret it forever.”
After the meal, Isabelle handed over all the jewelry she had gathered over the yea
years, each piece more precious than the last, until her hands were full. She pressed them into Asteria‘ s hands with a determined urgency.
Asteria slipped a large diamond ring onto her finger, feeling the cool stone against. her skin. It sparkled with a brilliance far greater than her wedding ring. She admired it for a moment, lost in the beauty, when suddenly, the doorbell rang.
When she opened the door, Asteria froze.
She hadn’t expected Primo to come,
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especially not so soon.
Primo had always put his career above all else, something Asteria knew all too well. She remembered the time she’d had a high fever and desperately wanted him to take her to the hospital. But instead of rushing to her side, he had stayed in his study, buried in paperwork.
Even when she collapsed, her body weak and burning with fever, Primo only took three seconds to dial for help before returning to his work.
