13
Two weeks later, in a foreign country.
Dimitry had just finished a month–long course and was strolling outside the Vienna Conservatory of Music.
Trailing behind him was Caroline, quietly following.
Since they hailed from the same hometown, the two had grown close over the past few weeks and had become inseparable friends.
“Dmitry, look at this news!”
“The gossip about the Brown family’s heiress is all over the place. They’re saying she kicked out her lover and is now dragging her kid around the wo looking for you.”
Dmitry replied with a calm hdifference, his heart entirely unbothered.
“For ten years, she and her son barely gave you the time of day. Now she’s acting like a lunatic looking for you. Who does she think you are?”
Caroline furned, clearly upset on Dmitry’s behalf. “If she dares bully you again, I’ll make her pay.”
“Come on, don’t get so worked up. I’m doing fine now, aren’t I?”
Dmitry reassured her before turning into a narrow alley. “Anyway, I need to get back to cook for Quinn. See you tomorrow.”
“Alright, see you!”
The Austrian evening was enchanting, with dreamy hues of sunset spreading across the skyline.
Breathing in the earthy freshness left by a recent rain, Dmitry returned to his home.
It was a quaint little house he rented off–campus. He spent his time tending to the garden, playing piano, and living a peaceful, fulfilling life. “Uncle Dmitry, you’re back!”
A sweet voice called out, and Quinn came running out excitedly.
She almost tripped, the apron she wore far too big for her.
“Quinn, why are you wearing my apron?”
your favorite Potaro pancake! Uncle works so hard every day I don’t want to be a burden.”
Looking at her dirt–smudged face, Dmitry’s nose stung with emotion
Quinn was an abandoned child he had met at the orphanage. When she was six, she was adopted by a foreign couple and vanished from his life.
Years later, tragedy struck her adoptive parents, and Quinn was abducted by criminals and forced to live as a street child.
Fate brought them together again when Quinn found Dmitry’s dropped wallet. Despite being starving, she chased him across live streets to return it.
It was her kindness and resilience that allowed Dmitry to recognize her.
“Uncle, why are you crying?”
“I’m not crying.”
“Then why are your eyebrows scrunched up like that?
Quinn imitated his expression, her exaggerated frown making her look adorably funny.
Dimitry couldn’t help but laugh, ruffling her hair as a wave of bittersweet emotions filled his heart.
He had spent ten years slaving away for a family that never appreciated him.
Dalena had never looked at him properly, even when he went out of his way to make her happy.
Cyril never cared about his efforts, even when Dmitry cooked him nutritious meals while sick with a fever.
Neither of them had ever truly cared about him. They didn’t even know his favorite food.
Now, a child with no blood relation to him had managed to touch his heart.
Demitry found himself wishing that Quinn were his daughter.
“Come mi Culin. Let’s go home and rat.
“Okay!”
Hand in hand, the two were just about to enter the house when footsteps sounded behind them.
Dmitry turned, his brows furrowing slightly,
Standing before him were the two faces he had been trying to escape
Trom In dreams,
