Chapter 28
“The girl in the article is me.” Ivana pointed to the glaring headline on the old newspaper: ‘Orphan.‘”
Ernest’s lips trembled as his fingers clutched the paper, shaking uncontrollably. His eyes held nothing but despair. In that instant, it dawned on him that any possibility of reconciliation was utterly
lost.
***
“Mom, I have a question,” Ernest’s voice
was hoarse when he called his mother.
Miranda didn’t give a direct answer, but Ernest knew her too well. Her silence
confirmed everything. Ivana’s words were true. He really was the son of her parents‘ murderer. The thin threads of hope. between them were irreparably severed.
As Ernest wandered aimlessly through the streets, his gaze was drawn to a diamond
35% 09:55
1/5
Chapter 28
ring displayed in a shop window.
It was Ivana’s favorite style. Back in their homeland, she’d always lingered by such windows, gazing longingly. He had seen it too, but buying it had never crossed his
mind.
Yet Ivana would laugh and say, “When I become a world–class cake master, I’ll buy this ring and propose to you!” Ernest chuckled bitterly at the memory, but his smile quickly crumbled as tears streamed down his face.
Inside the store, the employees eyed him cautiously, mistaking his behavior for instability man. If he hadn’t walked in and purchased the ring, they might have called the police.
Ivana woke up the next morning feeling more refreshed than she had in weeks. Today was the day she and Winston would return to pay respects to his late mother. Though his mother had passed, Ivana wanted to dress her best.
035 09:55
2/5
Chapter 28
During a shopping trip, she spotted Ernest. trailing at a distance. Ignoring his presence, she focused on Winston, linking arms with him as they browsed.
She threw a lot of questions, “What kind of girls did your mom like? Does this color seem too bright? How about this white. one?”
“These heels are too high, aren’t they? This is way too expensive, no, no.”
Winston chuckled, patting her head gently, “Mom liked whatever I liked and I like whatever you like.”
Ivana playfully slapped his chest. Their banter and closeness mirrored how she
used to shop with Ernest.
Back then, Ivana had been lively and energetic, endlessly chattering as she carefully picked things for Ernest: scarves, shoes, meals to his taste.
35% 09:55
3/5
Chapter 28
When it came to herself, though, she was frugal, pretending she didn’t like the pricier items. In fact, he saw that she went home and secretly looked at it online and the in the shopping.
at was alu cart but she never placed an order. And now, Ivana would never stand beside him again.
Ernest discovered her flight information. for the next day and booked a ticket on the same plane.
The ring in his pocket felt like it was burning his hand, but he couldn’t let go of his desire to give it to her, knowing full well she’d never accept it.
“Mom,” he called later, his voice heavy. “I know. I’ll return tomorrow. Yes, the
afternoon flight. Yes, Mom, Ivana and I are done.”
Miranda’s dislike for Ivana had only deepened after their previous unpleasant exchange and she continued to pressure
Ernest to sever ties.
35 09:55
4/5
Chapter 28
To evade her questioning, Ernest intentionally gave a false flight time. Ivana, on the other hand, booked a midnight flight for financial reasons.
She and Winston had just finished packing when the doorbell rang urgently.
Thinking it was Ernest, she opened the door with a cold expression, only to find their building cleaner speaking anxiously in French. The gist of it: their landlady had suddenly collapsed and needed to be rushed to the hospital.
You might also like
