Chapter 24
“Not that soon. The doctors recommend staying in the city for another two weeks. If the follow–up check is clear, then we’re really done.”
Issac nodded.
His gaze lingered on Evelyn’s face, drinking in every detail with melancholy eyes. Evelyn reached for his watch–covered wrist, gently unfastening it to reveal the ugly scar beneath.
Issac felt exposed, trying to pull away, but Evelyn held firm. Her gaze burned into him.
“Why did you do this?”
“Because I hate myself,” Issac said softly. “If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have suffered all these years.”
Evelyn smiled faintly, releasing his hand.
“Issac, I don’t hate you,” she said earnestly. “Those five years, I wasn’t just seeking your forgiveness. I was grieving for Sophia.”
“Yes, from your family’s perspective, I deserved to die. I should have died with Sophia that day, not
survived alone. But you know what? When I nearly died on that operating table, I saw Sophia. She stood beside me, leading me across a wide river.”
“As the water rose to my waist, then my chest, I never struggled. I trusted Sophia wouldn’t harm me or hate me. When we reached our destination, she scolded me: ‘Why are you here so early? You promised to
live well for both of us.“”
In eight years, it was Evelyn’s most beautiful dream – her young friend guiding her at the boundary between life and death, serving as her compass toward hope.
Sophia had been such a kind, gentle girl. Evelyn knew if she had been the one killed that day, she would never have blamed Sophia, just as Sophia never blamed her.
Tears streamed down her face. Wiping them away, she spoke to the equally tearful Issac: “So now you understand? I’m not living just for myself anymore. I’m living for Sophia, for Eva, and for Lucas. Issac, do you think Sophia would want to see you die?”
“I forgive you. Live on.” She nodded gently. “Issac, goodbye.”
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Chapter 24
Lucas clenched and unclenched his fists, watching Evelyn return with red–rimmed eyes. He nearly jumped out to confront Issac.
Evelyn realized that despite his mature appearance, Lucas could be quite impulsive. “You’ve already beaten him several times,” she said helplessly. “He’s still injured. Please, show some mercy,”
Lucas pouted, complaining, “Why are you defending him? Who’s your boyfriend anyway?”
“It’s Lucas, of course,” Evelyn watched his profile, amused. “Who else could it be?”
“It’s me!” Eva raised her hand. “I’m Mommy’s boyfriend!”
She clearly didn’t understand the term. Lucas hugged her tight, declaring fiercely: “No, it’s me! It’ll always be me. You can’t be her boyfriend – impossible!”
“Eva is Mommy’s precious baby,” Evelyn smiled warmly. “Being a boyfriend isn’t such a great job- let’s leave that to Uncle.”
“Okay!”
“Eva should start preschool soon,” Lucas said while driving. “Shall we look for one in spring?”
“There’s no enrollment this term,” Evelyn sighed. “Let’s wait until we’re back south.”
A bird that endures cold weather still longs for spring. The warm south was where Evelyn’s heart yearned to be. She’d grown up there, only moving north for university where she met Issac.
Given the choice now, she wouldn’t stay.
Six months later.
“Sis, you have to come,” Emma pleaded. “I hardly have any friends. Without you, we won’t even fill one
table!”
Evelyn, helping Eva with watercolors, laughed. “How is that possible? You’ve got plenty of friends, young
lady.”
“Don’t listen to her,” Lucas rolled his eyes, removing a building block from Eva’s mouth and giving her a stern look. Eva just stuck out her tongue at him. “Eve, do you want to go?”
“Of course we’re going. She’s your cousin.”
“Auntie Emma!” Eva quickly grabbed the phone, shouting excitedly. “You’re getting married! Who’s the
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groom?”
Emma couldn’t explain how she’d ended up with such a gossip–loving, nosy man who thrived on rumors, but Eva’s enthusiasm was contagious. “It’s your Uncle Marcus! Eva sweetie, will you be my flower girl?”
“What’s in it for her?” Lucas interjected.
“Brother!” Emma wailed. “Other brothers save up dowries for their sisters. Why are you trying to squeeze money out of me through Eva?!”
“Two thousand,” Lucas said flatly. “Take it or leave it.”
Emma gritted her teeth. “Fine! Fine! You win! I’ll tell Marcus to sell a kidney. He’s already stretched thin with the mortgage…”
“Stop the sob story,” Lucas quickly handed the phone back to Eva. “Tell Auntie ‘thank you for the gift money and congratulations.“”
Eva obediently complied, heard her aunt grudgingly promise she’d be the prettiest flower girl, then quickly hung up.
Evelyn couldn’t help but laugh, wondering if this playful nature ran in the Reed family. Despite her quiet upbringing, Eva had developed such a lively personality.
She kissed Eva’s cheek. “Let’s go then. Our Eva is so beautiful, Marcus is getting quite a deal having you as flower girl.”
Lucas had bought a house in the southern city, and Eva had successfully enrolled in kindergarten there. Though she started a year later than other children, she was never afraid or shy, growing up strong and
vibrant.
Sometimes watching her, Evelyn would think of that somewhat blurred face in her memory.
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