Chapter 194

Snowflakes danced in the air, swirling between Hayden and a distant conversation between a man and a woman. He could only decipher snippets of their happy chatter. The sound caused him to glance over, his eyes following a group of people slowly receding into the distance, their forms blurring.

For a moment, he was transported back to the days when Yvonne was by his side, her voice a constant stream of exciting news and endless chatter. Back then, he had found it irritating; now, three years after her death, his life felt empty and silent. The familiar ache in his chest crept unexpectedly to the surface. Instinctively, he pressed his hand against it, a wave of regret washing over him. Only he knew the depth of his remorse.

He made his way to Sienna's grave. His gaze sharpened upon seeing a small daisy placed before the tombstone. In three years of visiting, he had never before seen flowers. His eyes searched the surroundings, desperate, as if seeking something to complete his shattered world. But the snowstorm had left the cemetery nearly deserted.

Yvonne, who had drowned three years ago—how could she possibly be here? After a long pause, Hayden realized he was dreaming, caught in a fit of delirium. He sighed softly and placed a lily at the base of the tombstone.

"Mom, for a moment, I thought Yvonne had returned," he whispered with a bitter, self-deprecating chuckle. The only response was the quiet fall of snow, a stark reminder of his solitude. Surrounded by a silence so profound he could almost hear his own heartbeat, Hayden stood for what felt like an eternity.

Finally, he took out a handkerchief and gently cleaned the tombstone, speaking no more, ensuring the stone was spotless. He mused, "The flowers must have been from Sienna's friends... How could I have thought of Yvonne?" He realized how deeply he missed her.

"Yvonne, you must be with her now... Is she doing okay?" His voice trembled, the usual facade of strength crumbling. For once, he allowed himself genuine emotional expression. If only he had learned to express himself sooner; would things with Yvonne have been different? He didn't know. The past was gone, its mistakes irretrievable. There was no turning back.

Sienna's smiling face on the gravestone seemed to radiate warmth, as if offering forgiveness and dissolving pain with boundless compassion.

"She really looks like you," Hayden said softly.

Chapter 191

Despite the years, Yvonne's image remained as vivid in his mind as if time had stood still. A nearby branch snapped under the weight of heavy snow, the soft thud jolting him back to reality. He noticed the snow accumulating on his shoulders, brushed it off with a sigh.

"Mom, I'll come visit again next time," he said before turning and beginning his descent down the mountain. The footprints of the group earlier were already buried under the fresh snow, their passage erased.

After dinner, I drove alone to the Coffey family's house. Being back, I felt compelled to see Lucy, though uncertain of her reaction. I parked across the street, waiting until I saw Lucy returning—but not alone. Yasir was with her, the two holding hands, chatting and laughing, clearly enjoying each other's company. Yasir even kissed her forehead. The distance prevented me from seeing if she blushed, but her lowered head suggested shyness. They were clearly together.

I couldn't help but smile, happy for her. After breaking up with her first love years ago, she had never been in another relationship. Now, it seemed, she had finally moved on.

When Yasir left, I prepared to call out to Lucy, but before I could open my car door, Joanna appeared from behind her. I froze, disbelieving my eyes. My breath hitched—after all this time, was Joanna still causing trouble for Lucy?

Before I could process this, something unexpected occurred. Joanna called out to Lucy, and after a brief exchange, they walked together into the Coffey house. I sat stunned in my car, unable to move. Lucy had always despised Joanna. How could they be getting along now? It was late, and they were walking home together; clearly, they were not enemies.

I couldn't understand it. Had they become friends over the past three years? I didn't believe that friendships should be exclusive. After all, I had left without telling Lucy the truth. But seeing my lifelong best friend and my enemy getting along was utterly unpredictable. Why were they together?

Chapter 194 (continued)

After they disappeared inside, I started the car and drove aimlessly, my mind racing. I kept replaying Lucy's passionate condemnations of Joanna's shamelessness. Those words weren't said lightly. It had only been three years; what had changed her mind?

I felt increasingly restless. While idling at a red light, I glanced out the window. Elysiumville had developed rapidly in recent years, boasting many new commercial districts. But the old neighborhood remained largely unchanged. I remembered this area as a frequent haunt during our school days, Lucy and I.

For reasons I couldn't explain, I turned into the underground parking lot of a nearby mall. I suddenly craved a taste of the past. The mall's layout was familiar, but many shops were new, creating a sense of unfamiliarity. Only the coffee shop on the first floor remained unchanged, the same one Lucy and I frequented.

I ordered a slightly sweetened coffee with cheese milk foam—Lucy’s favorite. She would always sneak sips from my cup, regretting it afterward, dragging me into a calorie-burning run, leaving me breathless.

I smiled at the memory, but the brief happiness quickly dissolved into loneliness. What had happened to her?

Before I could answer, I saw a tall figure in the crowd. I was shocked. It was Hayden.