Chapter 16
Her relationship with Lucian was growing stronger by the day. Their daughter was unbelievably beautiful, just like Isabella when she was young. In fact, I’ve never told anyone, but I still keep a picture of Isabella from when she was five, tucked away in my wallet.
Dunway is a large city, but the social circles are surprisingly small. Yet not once did I run into Isabella. That was until one afternoon, purely by chance, I spotted their daughter Anabella at a cafeteria. She was hiding behind a decorative rock, secretly devouring a tub of ice cream. Like an adorable little chipmunk, her cheeks were stuffed full of the sweet treat. I found myself frozen in place, unable to look away.”
Soon enough, I heard Isabella calling for her. Anabella’s eyes widened with panic as she clutched her ice cream, unsure what to do. On an impulse, I walked over, crouched down, and softly asked, “Are you afraid your mom will catch you eating ice cream?” She nodded, her big eyes twinkling with mischief.}
“Want me to help you out?” She hesitated, studying me closely, and then nodded again once she seemed sure I wasn’t a threat. I picked her up; she was so tiny, warm, and soft, resting comfortably in my arms. Her little hands fiddled with the buttons on my jacket, and suddenly, in a sweet, innocent voice, she asked, “Mister, do you know me?“>
My throat tightened, a bitter taste rising up. Everything around me started to blur.
If I could go back to that year, that night, Isabella would be my wife. We would marry in Dunway, have children of our own. Anabella would be our daughter.
quickly blinked away the tears threatening to spill and smiled at her. “Yes, I know you.“]
“Do you know my name?” She hugged me tightly. “I’ll let you in on a little secret; my name is Anabella.“}
“That’s a lovely name,” I replied, kissing her soft cheek. “But we can’t hide too long, or your mom will worry.”
She nodded obediently. “I’ll just have one more bite of ice cream, okay?” She took a big scoop, grinning at me with a playful twinkle in her eye.
I patted her head gently. “Go find your mom now.”
I watched her as she skipped away. Her little princess dress fluttered like a blooming flower, finally landing in Isabella’s embrace. I didn’t look at Isabella again. I was terrified that in the bustling cafeteria, I’d foolishly break down in tears.
Isabella wouldn’t care about anything related to me, but Lucian would probably find my behavior laughable.”
Indeed, my early life was a farce, a joke.”
And the rest of my life, even that foolishness, had become a distant dream.”
(The End)
