Chapter 15
I stared at the email for a moment, conflicted.
It had been six months since the press conference and my quiet departure from Providence.
I had spent that time focusing on my studies, immersing myself in my art, and savoring the freedom that came with leaving my past behind.
Gale’s struggles, as much as Minnie described them with urgency, felt like another life entirely, one I had no intention. of revisiting.
Still, Minnie was my friend, and I did not want to leave her hanging. With a sigh, I started typing my reply.
[Rachel: First of all, sorry for disappearing on you. But, please keep this between us.
I’m in Italy, continuing my master‘ s
30% 14:54
1/13
Chapter 15
degree. Life here is peaceful and productive, and I’m doing well. I hope you‘ re doing great too.
As for Gale, I don’t care about his condition anymore. That chapter of my life is closed, and I’m not looking back. Let him deal with his problems on his own.]
After hitting send, I set my phone down and exhaled deeply, letting the tension ease from my shoulders.
Minnie‘ s email had stirred emotions I
thought I had buried long ago, but I was not going to let Gale‘ s downfall disrupt the life I was building.
It was not my job to fix him, nor did I have any obligation to pity the man who had taken so much from me.
I then gave Minnie my new number, and we resumed chatting sporadically. Over time, she stopped mentioning Gale, sensing that I had no interest in discussing
him.
30% 14:54
2/13
Chapter 15
**
Life continued peacefully, and a year into my studies, I found myself at the city library during a break.
The cool air and the quiet hum of activity were soothing as I wandered between the tall shelves, looking for a particular book.
As I reached for the book, another hand. reached out simultaneously, brushing against mine.
Surprised, I looked up to find a familiar face, a face from my childhood that immediately brought a smile to my lips.
The man quickly pulled his hand back and smiled apologetically. “Oh, sorry! You can have it first.”
I grabbed the book and was about to thank him when recognition sparked in his eyes.
“Rachel?” he asked, his voice loud enough to make heads turn.
I winced, glancing around at the people
30% 14:54
3/13
Chapter 15
glaring in our direction. “Shh! Don’t be so noisy in the library.
Then I took a closer look at him. “So, you really are Louise?”
Louise Kim, my childhood sweetheart from the orphanage, nodded enthusiastically.
“It’s me! I can’t believe I found you. here,” he whispered this time, a grin spreading across his face.
I could not help but giggle softly. The excitement bubbling within me mirrored his, but I tried to keep my composure.
Louise had always been special to me, kind, cheerful, and someone who had left a lasting impression on my heart.
“How about we catch up over coffee?” he suggested eagerly. “There’s a café just next to the library.”
“Sure,” I agreed with a smile. “Let me borrow this book first.”
After checking out the book, we headed to
30% 14:54
4/13
- ))
30
Chapter 15
the café where I often spent time reading or working on assignments.
The atmosphere was cozy and familiar, yet something about being there with Louise felt new and exciting.
Over cups of espresso, the conversation flowed easily. Louise was as charming and animated as ever, his cheerful demeanor lighting up the room.
“I never thought I’d see you here in Italy,” he said, stirring his coffee.
“Same here,” I replied, sipping mine. “The last I heard, you were busy helping your family’s business.”
Louise chuckled. “Still am. I’m living here temporarily to help expand the business in Italy. Plus…” He hesitated, his eyes softening. “I’m accompanying my wife, who’s studying here as well.”
The word wife hit me like a small jolt. I managed to keep my composure, though my heart sank slightly.
30% 14:54
5/13
Chapter 15
Of course, Louise, who was handsome,
kind, and successful, would be married by the time.
“Oh, I see. Congratulations,” I said, masking my disappointment with a polite smile. “I’m here for my master‘ s degree, so it looks like we both have busy schedules.”
Louise leaned back, smiling warmly.
“That’s amazing. I’ve always known you were destined for great things. I still remember your art exhibition back in Providence, it was incredible. You have to
invite me to your next one.”
His words warmed me, though they brought a bittersweet memory of the time when I hoped for similar praise from Gale. I shook the thought away, focusing on
Louise.
“Of course, I’ll invite you and your wife too,” I said lightly. “Speaking of which, why didn’t you invite me to your
wedding?”
30% 14 54
6/13
Chapter 15.
Louise laughed. “It was a small ceremony,
just us and a priest. We met here in Italy,
and we didn’t see the need for a big celebration.”
“Still, I would‘ ve loved to see you tie the knot,” I teased. “So, who’s the lucky lady?”
“You actually know her,” he replied with a grin, pulling out his phone. “And there’s more, I’ll show you a picture of our baby too.”
“Baby?” I asked in surprise.
“Yeah,” he said proudly. “She was
already pregnant when we got married. She’s the most precious thing in the world
to me.”
Hearing those words, I felt a pang of sadness.
When I had been pregnant, I had longed for Gale to say something similar. Instead, he had asked me to abort the baby, treating the pregnancy as an inconvenience rather
30% 14.55
7/13
Chapter 15
than a blessing.
But those memories belonged to the past. Seeing Louise’s happiness reminded me of the love and family I still hoped to find one day.
As Louise handed me his phone, I stared at the photo of Louise, his wife, and their baby, a rush of warmth filled me.
Louise had not only found happiness but had married his childhood sweetheart, Hazel Wilson. Memories of our time together at the orphanage came flooding back.
“Is that Hazel?” I asked, my enthusiasm bubbling over.
“Yes,” Louise replied with a proud smile. “You still remember her. I was just as surprised when I met her here in Italy last year. Turns out she got a scholarship to study fashion design and will be graduating next year.
I leaned back in my chair, a sense of
30% 14:55
8/13
Chapter 15
nostalgia washing over me. “So, you two
have only known each other again for a year and decided to get married? That‘ st amazing.”
Louise nodded, his smile widening.
“Hehe, well, you know… since the three of us were raised in the orphanage, I didn’t want my child to go through the same thing. I wanted him to have a complete family, with both parents together, before he was born.”
“That’s beautiful, Louise,” I said softly, truly moved by his words.
“How about this,” Louise suggested, his eyes lighting up. “Why don’t you come to my apartment later? Hazel will be so happy to see you too.”
I hesitated briefly. “Maybe later. I still have some things to take care of. But I promise I’ll visit when I have time.”
“Deal,” he said, grinning.
We exchanged numbers before parting
30% 14-55
9/13
30
Chapter 15
ways, promising to stay in touch.
As I walked away, I could not help but reflect on how much had changed since our orphanage days.
Of all the children who had grown up with us, Louise was undoubtedly the luckiest.
Adopted by a wealthy family, he was not only loved but also given the opportunity to inherit and expand their family business.
Hazel, like me, had always relied on scholarships to further her education, though she had never received additional support like I had from Mrs. Gale.
Despite our different paths, all three of us had managed to carve out our own successes. It filled me with a quiet sense of pride and joy to see them thriving.
**
A month later, true to my promise, I finally found the time to visit their apartment. Hazel greeted me at the door with a warm
-30% 14:55
10/13
Chapter 15
smile that instantly melted any awkwardness.
“Rachel!” she exclaimed, pulling me into a tight hug. “It’s been so long. I was so excited when Louise told me you two met. I’ve been feeling a little lonely here.”
Louise, cradling their baby in his arms, pouted playfully. “So, I’m not enough company for you?”
Hazel laughed, playfully swatting his arm. “You‘ re my husband, Louise, but I also need female friends, you know.”
I giggled at their playful banter, feeling at ease in their company. The warmth in their home was palpable, filled with love and laughter.
We sat down for lunch together, and I could not help but admire how happy and harmonious their little family seemed.
Seeing them together, I realized how much. I longed for a love story like theirs, a partnership built on mutual respect,
30 14:55
11/13
Chapter 15
understanding, and genuine affection.
But life had dealt me a different hand, and while I had made peace with my path, there was still a quiet yearning in my heart.
Over lunch, Hazel shared her excitement about her studies. “I’m studying fashion design, and I’ll be graduating around the same time as you, Rachel.”
“That‘ s wonderful!” I said, my enthusiasm was genuine.
Hazel’s eyes lit up with an idea. “You know, we should collaborate for our final projects. Maybe we can combine your art and my designs for an exhibition!”
I clapped my hands together, thrilled by the idea. “That’s a brilliant idea, Hazel! I’d love to work with you on this.”
As Louise carried their baby to the bedroom to put her down for a nap, Hazel leaned closer to me, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.
30%-14:55
12/13
Chapter 15
“Rachel,” she said hesitantly, as though unsure whether to continue. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell
you.
I tilted my head, curious. “What is it?”
She took a deep breath, her voice soft but steady. “It is about Lilian.”
30% 14.55
