Chapter 0331
Chapter 0331
As the bus pulled into the station near midnight, Valerie stepped off, feeling a hollow ache in her stomach. When she stormed out of the hotel, she hadn’t known where to gd Home wasn’t an option–not in the state she was in. A hotel felt too risky; she couldn’t predict how far Marcus might go to find her or what else he might do. Standing amidst the bustle of travelers, a familiar silhouette emerged from the crowd–a strikingly beautiful woman, older now but unmistakable.
“Angela?” the woman called hesitantly.
“My dear Aurora!”
“Angela Palmer! My long–lost friend!”
They embraced tightly, tears flowing freely. It had been twenty years, and seeing each other again after all this time was overwhelming. Aurora had never forgotten her friend, who had seemingly vanished into thin air. Despite all their efforts to find her, she had disappeared. Eventually, Mr. Lawson, who worked for Marcus, had advised them
move on, saying she was likely safe and elsewhere Though it broke Aurora’s heart, she had accepted it.
“Time hasn’t touched you, Angie. Look at you–you’re just as radiant as ever,” Aurora said warmly.
“And you, Aurora, you’ve aged so gracefully.”
“Oh, please! But you still look like the young woman who walked into the bar asking for work. Do you remember?”
“Of course I do. I’ll never forget. Those days in Galea were some of the best of my youth. I always felt like I never should’ve left. Maybe if things had been different, I would’ve married Peter, and we’d have built a beautiful life together.”
12
‘Amiga, ‘what if‘ doesn’t exist. You were young, you were guring out your freedom. Mistakes were bound to happen,” Aurora said gently as they walked toward the parking lot.
Unbeknownst to them, their reunion was being captured on surveillance cameras. Marcus, watching the footage remotely, let out a sigh of relief. Valérie wasn’t alone, and she had gone to the one place he never would have guessed–back to her roots in Galea
“Angela, should we head home?” Aurora asked once they reached the car.
“Aurora, I’d like to go to Peter’s house. Can we?”
“To my knowledge, your husband has kept the house exactly as it was when you left, but I don’t think we have access.”
“Don’t worry about that. We’ll figure something out once we get there.”
‘Alright, but let me let my family know first. My husband nearly had a heart attack when you called earlier. Since he doesn’t know you, he was ready to follow me, but I convinced him to stay home with the kids,” Aurora chuckled.
Aurora’s life had changed drastically since the days at the bar. Three years after Peter’s death, she had met a handsome Chilean man who wandered into her workplace by chance. They married, and after struggling to conceive, she underwent treatment and was blessed with triplets. Though her husband had nearly fainted at the news, they were now a happy family twelve years later.
When they reached Peter’s house, Valerie felt a wave of nostalgia wash over her as she gazed at the familiar garden. Tossing her bag over the gate, she turned to Aurora with a determined look.
“I know how we’re getting in–we’re climbing the wall.”
1/2
+25 BONUS
Chapter 0331
“Angela, do you realize we’re not teenagers anymore?” Aurora sald, half–laughing, half–exasperated.
“Come on!” Valerie urged.
Before either could make a move, the caretaker of the property appeared and unlocked the gate.
“Ma’am, Mr. Frederick instructed us to grant you access,” he said politely.
It was obvious–Marcus had pulled strings to ensure her safety. The thought sent a chill through Valerie. If Marcus knew where she was, what was stopping him from coming here?
“Please, come in, ma’am. Mr. Frederick assured us Mr. Marcus won’t be arriving tonight. He simply requested we hand you a key in the morning.”
Though hesitant, Valerie nodded. She knew Marcus well enough to trust that for now, she was safe. There would be a conversation eventually, but not tonight.
As the caretaker switched on the lights, the house came to life, its familiar warmth filling the space. Valerie and Aurora walked through the front garden, memories flooding Valerie’s mind with every step. By the time they reached the main door, Valerie glanced toward the beach access and noticed a “No Trespassing” sign.
“We had to put that up after Agnes passed,” the caretaker explained. “When the house is unoccupied, kids try to sneak in, and there are valuable things inside we don’t want stolen.”
“I see. Where is Agnes buried?” Valerie asked softly.
“She’s close to the shoreline. She loved the view there, just like you do,” Aurora said, her voice tinged with nostalgia.
Standing in the garden, Valerie felt overwhelmed. “Being here is like traveling back in time, Aurora. I needed this. Today, more than ever, I needed to come here. This is my home–this is my garden.” Tears streamed down her face.
“Angela, or Valerie, or Mary–whatever you want to call yourself you’re an incredibly strong woman,” Aurora and yet here you are, looking said firmly. “Always have been. You’ve lived through things no one should have to, like a model out of a magazine. Marriage is full of ups and downs. Sometimes you want to kill your husband, but then you talk it out, have amazing makeup sex, and move on.”
“Aurora!”
“It’s true! At least, that’s how it is for me. And I’m sure Marcus sees you as the incredible woman you are. Take some time, clear your mind. When you’re both calmer, sit down and talk. You both owe each other that he owes you an explanation, but you owe him one too. And be honest with yourself, amiga. Is your heart really clear about what your ex–husband told you?”
Valerie sighed, her tears falling anew. “Let’s go inside, Aurora. There’s so much I need to tell you.”
And as the night unfolded, Valerie shared the story of her twenty tumultuous years. They cried, laughed, and remembered together. For Valerie, it was a night of catharsis–a return to where it all began.
