Chapter 428
(Author’s POV)
“Who are you, Miss Sandra asked the girl, confusion evident on her face. She has been standing at the entrance, blocking the way to go inside— the bouquet she had bought lay haphazardly on the marbled floor.
The girl’s bloodshot eyes were fixated on Myra. After listening to the voice, she looked back. When she saw William and Sandra, her eyes dilated, then fluttered constantly, as if she couldn’t believe what she had in front of her.
On the other side, Myra went completely motionless. Her parents might not have recognized the person, but there was no way in heaven, hell or earth she wouldn’t have known who it was. After all, for twenty years~ for fucking~ whole~ twenty years~ they had shared every moment of their lives, no matter how big or small. So, how could she not know this person?
Now, all the Everests brothers, as well as Fabian, darted their eyes between the two girls. None of them uttered a word, yet they could feel the intensity of their emotions. The air was too oppressive as tension was rising.
“Aunt~ Aunt Sandra~ Uncle William,” the girl finally decided to speak, though she was still in shock. Her voice was as quiet as a whisper.
Sandra sensed something. She could tell she had heard this peculiar voice before. She asked directly, “How~… how do you know~ our names?” Her brows wrinkled slightly.
“It’s me~ the girl said, chokingly. A wave of emotion stuck in her throat. After observing the look on Sandra’s face, she touched her face and realized it was still covered with the mask. She took it off quickly and mumbled, “It’s me, Aunt Sandra p>
Sandra looked at the girl from head to toe, carefully. Her familiar eyes, her reddened nose, her not so familiar clothing style. She felt foreign yet closely acquainted. As she was trying to figure it out, her husband, William recognized the girl in an instant and called her name, “Nora p>
Sandra’s mouth hung open as she finally recognized the person, “No~…ra, Nora? Is it really you?” Her eyes moistened instantly. She was too stunned to see her after so long.
Nora nodded. The next moment, Sandra took a step forward and hugged Nora tightly, “It is really you. Where have you been? You know how worried we have been p>
Nora embraced her back, overwhelmed with emotions. With a tremor in her voice, she uttered, “It is really me, Aunt Sandra. I missed you, too.” Her feelings, they were all over the place.
The sentimental scene stirred the souls of those who were present. Sandra pulled away and framed Nora’s face, trying to take a good look at it, “Nora, how have you been all this time? Is your family treating you well p>
“I have been fine. My family has been nothing but good to me. They take care of me like I am a princess. How are you all?” Nora asked.
William answered this time, “We are doing well. Nora, it has been so long since we last saw you. You have become a lovely lady. But why didn’t you give us a call all this time? You know how sad and heartbroken your aunt has been about this p>
“What are you saying, Will?” Sandra elbowed her husband while staring at him. She then looked at the flowers, picked them up while whisking the dust away from them. Then, urging Nora inside, she said, “Myra, look. Nora is here to see you.” A crinkling smile set on her lips, reaching her eyes. She was genuinely very happy to see Nora.
And why won’t she? Both Sandra and William were close to Nora, more than her adoptive parents. They cheered her on for every little thing she achieved. They taught her, fed her, and took care of her in the absence of her parents. Even on the day of her high school graduation, when her adoptive parents, the Smith couple, refused to come and attend because they were too busy to go on a vacation with their biological son, they were the ones rooting for her. They bought two bouquets. One was lilies and roses, for Myra, and the other one was blue and purple orchids, for Nora, as they were pollen free; she has a mild pollen allergy.
Myra saw her mother and Nora, hand in hand, getting closer and closer to her. Her right hand, gripping the quilt, crushing it like crumbling paper.
William noticed the person beside his daughter and mentioned, “Prof. Stephens, when did you arrive p>
Fabian greeted formally, “I just came p>
Sandra handed over the flowers to Myra, her tone brimming with enthusiasm, “Nora, you even brought Myra’s favourite lilies, despite have allergy. Now I can see why your nose is all red, and your eyes are all teary. You shouldn’t have done that p>
Nora simply smiled at Sandra and said, “I just wanted to buy something nice for the patient.” Then her eyes settled on her childhood friend, whom she hadn’t seen for ages. It felt like that to her. The last time they saw each other, it was a traumatic mess.
Her head, her heart, her soul were filled with mixed emotions now. She wanted to scream, open a ten feet list she had prepared all along, full of questions about why, when, where and how. She wanted to cry out loud. She wanted to laugh hysterically. She wanted to let out her anger somehow. She wanted to~ convey to Myra about the despair she had gone through, the hopelessness she had felt all this time.
“Myra~ She muttered with a weak smile. In the end, seeing her soulmate like that, she couldn’t muster the heart to let out her suppressed feelings. “It’s~ It’s been a while p>
Myra couldn’t utter a single word. Her eyes were riveted on Nora, like she had seen a ghost. Countless thoughts were rushing through her head. Of course, she was happy to see Nora, thriving and doing well.
But the situation, she thought she could handle calmly by stating her wishes to the Everests brothers, had gotten worse. It was a kind of reunion she never expected.
To Be Continued……..