Chapter 381

Could Wade have been referring to Narelle's burial arrangements? My mind considered that possibility, but only Wade knew the truth. I realized I'd have to wait for another opportunity to ask him—though I doubted that moment would ever arrive. Wade and I had met twice, but after Narelle, he might never return to the hospital. In this vast world, our paths might never cross again.

I glanced one last time at Narelle's bed, surrounded by her family. "Miss Yule, I hope you find peace," I whispered in my heart.

Leaving the room, I sought Lena, but she was in surgery. With some time to spare, I went to the hospital garden to clear my head.

"Miss Kay," someone called.

I turned to see Mr. Yule. He was alone, slightly breathless, as if he'd hurried. I wasn't surprised; I sensed he would find me.

"I'm sorry, my wife was… overwhelmed," Mr. Yule apologized immediately.

I shook my head. "It's okay. I understand."

He sighed, his shoulders slumping. "We only had one daughter. And now that she's gone… we'll never have a daughter again."

His heartbreak was palpable. Looking at him, I saw he couldn't be much older than fifty, yet his hair was already streaked with gray. Narelle had been in this state for almost two years—two long years of silence, no words, no "Mom" or "Dad," just a heartbeat sustaining her. The agony of seeing their daughter yet never hearing her must have been unbearable.

In that moment, I understood why they might be ready to let her go. Narelle wasn't coming back. Keeping her alive wasn't just denying her peace; it was draining her parents' hope as well.

"Miss Kay," Mr. Yule hesitated. "If I may ask… who are your parents?"

I knew why he asked. He wanted to understand my resemblance to Narelle. "My parents passed away," I said softly.

Mr. Yule looked shocked, quickly apologizing. "I'm so sorry, I didn't know…"

"It's okay," I said with a gentle smile. "And I've seen Narelle. We really do look alike."

"Yes, you do. You look so much like her," he said, wonder in his voice. "It's like Narelle came back to life."

Seeing his pain, I felt compelled to help, to offer a small comfort.

"Maybe this is some kind of… fate," I said slowly. "We're strangers, but I look like Narelle, and somehow our paths crossed. If it would help, I could visit you from time to time, if you ever miss her."

If my resemblance could bring them peace, I was willing to help.

Mr. Yule's eyes welled up, and he nodded eagerly. "Thank you. Thank you. Perhaps it's Narelle herself, worried we wouldn't be able to handle losing her… that brought you to us."

"Maybe," I said with a soft smile. "You can call me Keira, or Rea, if you like."

"Rea…" he repeated, his eyes shining with unshed tears. "The more you smile, the more you remind me of her."

Hearing that, I smiled brighter.

We exchanged numbers, and Mr. Yule departed. I watched him go, feeling a strange sense of peace.

I tilted my head up, gazing at the sky as Wade had. As I stared at the clouds, I imagined Narelle smiling down, as if saying, "Rea, it's nice to meet you."

Leaving the garden, I headed to Yuna's room. As I reached the door, my phone rang—it was Ron.

"Ms. Kay, someone's at the office asking for you. Can you come back right now?" Ron asked, his voice unusually direct.