12
I had already flown back to China before my mother’s death anniversary.
On that day, Vivian was waiting in the hotel lobby early, ready to take me to my mother’s.
grave.
The car stopped outside the cemetery, and Vivian and I got out and walked in together.
She had bought a lot of offerings, as if trying to make up for what was missed that year.
The tombstone still showed my mother’s kind and gentle smile.
The wind blew some stray hairs from my forehead, and holding a trophy in my hand, I spoke softly to my mother.
Vivian stood quietly beside me, silent throughout.
As we left, I couldn’t help but feel my eyes well up.
Vivían, her eyes red, asked me, “Arland, will you never forgive Rachel and me for anything we
do?”
I wiped away the tears that hadn’t fully fallen and replied calmly, “I can forgive you.”
“As long as you never come to disturb me again.
I would never forget the torment of those days.
We could never go back to how things were before.
The wounds had healed, but the scars remained.
I didn’t want to waste my life on hatred.
So, I had to forget and move on.
The last glimmer of light in Vivian’s eyes faded. She gave a bitter smile and said, “I understand. I’ll pass your message on to Rachel.”
“I…” She choked, her voice trembling. “I will move out from next door and never disturb again.”
“Mm.”
you
“I want to ask, will you
ever come back?”
“The future is uncertain, but for now, I haven’t thought about returning.”
Apart from my mother, there was no one in New York that I missed.
Whether I came back or not didn’t matter so much anymore.
The next morning at 10 a.m.
I checked out of the hotel and saw Rachel sitting in a wheelchair in the lobby, her face pale.
Her left cheek was bandaged.
It was Clint who had scratched her. It wasn’t fatal, but it would probably leave a scar.
For a woman who had always been fond of her looks, it was like a bolt from the blue.
Fortunately, the scar could be treated with cosmetic procedures, though it would involve some pain.
“Arland.”
She wore a coat over her hospital gown, no makeup, and looked very thin and haggard.
I didn’t stop walking.
Rachel had someone push her wheelchair and blocked my way.
“Arland, I need to talk to you. I promise, after I say this, I will never bother you again.”
I stopped and nodded slightly, “I hope you keep your word.”
“Vivian talked to me yesterday.”
Rachel swallowed the dryness in her throat. “Arland, will you… never give me another chance?
||
“Yes.” I answered without hesitation. “If possible, I hope we never meet again.”
Rachel stared at me in a daze. After a long while, she gave a bitter smile and nodded.
“I understand, Arland. I promise, I won’t disturb you again.”
“I also know that me clinging to you like this is quite unattractive.”
“But, before we part, could you let me hug you one more time…?”
“No.” I shook my head coldly. “That’s it, Rachel. I hope we never meet again?
I turned and left.
The wind was clearly from spring, but leaves were being blown down from the branches.
The leaves twirled and fell to the ground, where they were crushed underfoot, making a faint sound.
No one paid attention, no one cared.
Back at the company, I threw myself back into work.
Having won a prestigious award, my salary had risen, and my workload had become even
busier.
The next day, Vivian moved out from next door and returned to New York.
The house was temporarily left vacant.
A year later, a young woman moved into the house.
She, like me, was of East Asian descent, and her name was Quinn. She was a lively and cheerful girl.
After getting to know her a bit, I found out that she also worked here.
The two companies were not far apart, and we had the same working hours, so we often ran into each other.
A few months later, she expressed her admiration for me.
After thinking for two days, I formally asked her out.
She was a great person, easy to get along with, and we had common interests. I really enjoyed spending time with her.
Two more years passed.
During the Christmas, I learned from Vivian that Clint’s mother had passed away last month. Clint had been sentenced to nine years in prison for attempted murder.
The cold winter wind howled, but I didn’t feel cold.
Vivian chatted a lot again, but didn’t mention Rachel.
I heard that Rachel had been hospitalized twice in the past year due to stomach bleeding.
Even in the hospital, she couldn’t stop drinking.
But none of that mattered to me anymore.
After talking about Clint’s mother, Vivian mustered the courage to ask, “Arland, are you coming back for Christmas?”
“No, I’m doing fine here.”
Two months ago, I won another trophy.
New York wasn’t worth longing for. Achieving greater success through hard work was my current goal.
Walking outside, basking in the rare winter sunlight, I felt my pores open and relax.
Ahead, Quinn stood in the sunlight, her hair tinged golden, making her already beautiful face even more striking.
My heart skipped a beat.
I put my phone away and waved at Quinn.
She beamed a smile that could light up the world and jogged towards me, her eyes reflecting my image.
She threw herself into my arms, lifted her head to kiss my chin, then looped her arm through mine, telling me about the funny things that happened today.
The smile on my lips never faded.
Having a lover who matched me in every way felt truly wonderful.
