Chapter 18
The man standing before her had a warm smile, and Hannah couldn’t help but feel her eyes tingte with
emotion.
Cameron West was her childhood friend as they had grown up together under the watchful eye of Directex Zade at the orphanage.
He was a few years older, like Doris Jones, who often looked out for her too. But fate had different plans. Cameron and Doris were both taken in by loving families, while Hannah remained at the orphanage until the Cole family sponsored her.
Cameron’s heart ached with distress as he saw the frail girl before him.
Back when he and Doris were around, Hannah had been a cheerful little girl. But life had played its tricks, separating them when he and Doris were adopted successively.
Back then, they were just kids with no way to keep in touch, and so they drifted apart. Over the years, he searched for his lost companions and eventually found Doris.
He didn’t learn about Hannah’s life until he stumbled upon the Cole family’s website, where he saw an announcement about Zachary’s wedding.
That was when he discovered that Hannah had married Zachary, Cameron knew all about Zachary’s behavior and felt even more heart–aching for Hannah, whose once bright and lively spirit had been worn down by a troubled marriage.
When he heard she was moving to Zion for further studies, he and Doris decided to relocate to Wye.
It was during their long conversation that Hannah learned Cameron and Doris had married and moved to the same city just to reunite with her. Overwhelmed, she broke down, tears spilling as she finally released years of pent–up emotions in Cameron’s embrace.
Later, at dinner with Doris, Hannah found herself crying once more, unable to hold back her emotions.
They talked for hours. Doris placed Hannah’s favorite dishes before her and asked with concern, “Hannah, what are your plans now?”
Hannah finished the last bite of her steak, and then shook her head. “I don’t have any specific plans yet. I want to graduate, maybe have my own art exhibition or find a job I love. As for going back home…”
A flicker of uncertainty crossed her eyes.
Going back home meant visiting Mama Zade. She remembered how Mama Zade had secretly slipped some money into her bag the day she left.
But going home also meant facing Zachary, and thinking about his past madness made her furrow her brows. Cameron and Doris exchanged a glance and quickly changed the subject.
“Let’s focus on dinner for now. The future will sort itself out, and we’ll always support you.”
As another autumn came and went, Hannah finally stood at her graduation ceremony. The scene unfolded made Hannah overwhelmed with sentiment; the five–year long awaited ceremony eventually came.
“Hannah, congratulations!”
“Hannah, congratulations!”
Her friends showered her with flowers and well–wishes, leaving her eyes red once more.
At their farewell dinner, Hannah didn’t restrain herself and instead had a few drinks. The bittersweet taste of the wine mirrored the emotions surging within her.
10:18
Chapter 18
Knowing it would be hard to see her friends again, they laughed and cried until it was late at night.
A week later, with her bags packed and goodbyes said to her friends and Zion, Hannah headed home with Cameron and Doris, though just temporarily.
She returned to see Mama Zade and, as a favor to a friend, to help organize an art exhibition.
When she reunited with Mama Zade after two years, Hannah’s eyes reddened again. Director Zade held her hand, listening intently as Hannah shared her achievements and dreams, her eyes brimming with pride.
In the midst of their conversation, Director Zade suddenly mentioned, “Oh, by the way, not long after you left for abroad, Zachary came here looking for you.”
