“Hah… Of course, I do. You all blame me for that incident. Dad, Mom, and you! You all think that back then, when Minnie and I went out, it’s my burden to bear because she disappeared while I came back, right?” Nelly’s voice cracked with bitterness. “You all wish I hadn’t come back, that I’d died with her!”
“Shut up!” Timothy’s expression turned icy, his gaze suddenly sharp and cutting. “Say the word ‘die’ one more time, and see what happens.”
“Ha… It’s been 28 years. Do you honestly think she’s still alive? I’m not surprised my parents couldn’t give up. Minnie was their precious daughter. At their age, they need to hold onto hope just to get through each day. But you, Timothy, I can’t believe you still can’t let her go either!”
“We’ve been married for over 20 years, our son is all grown up, and you’re still thinking about her? Isn’t that ridiculous? Isn’t that disgusting?”
Timothy’s hand came down sharply, so fast and precise that Nelly didn’t have a chance to dodge. His veins stood out, his entire body radiating cold fury, and his eyes were filled with a ruthless glint.
“This is your last warning,” he said, his voice low and menacing. “If you don’t have nice things to say, then keep your mouth shut.”
Without another word, he turned and walked out of the room, not even bothering to change his clothes. Nelly shouted after him, “Timothy Cooper, you heartless man!”
Why? Why did people still hold onto thoughts of Minnie after all these years? Her parents did, and now Timothy too. Was it simply because Minnie was their biological daughter while she was adopted?
Meanwhile, Safn guided his grandparents through the courtyard and led them out through a small hidden gate. They then stepped directly onto the street.
Sam looked surprised. “I’ve been here so many times, yet I never knew there was a door here!”
Aren chuckled, “Your aunt used to sneak out through this door all the time. She thought we didn’t know, but we always did—we just never said anything!”
The gate was well-hidden, surrounded by the dense foliage of bamboo and covered by large leaves, making it nearly invisible. Fiona smiled as she recalled those memories, her lips curling up in a nostalgic smile.
Aren gazed at the narrow, long alley, which looked much the same as it did in his memories—a slim strip of sky framed by tall walls, blue and white mingling above.
“Most things have changed around here, but this place seems untouched,” he said.
Sam nodded. “Dad and I bought the three streets surrounding the garden and decided not to develop them further. Keeping them as they are feels right.”
If their loved ones ever returned, they wouldn’t be lost.
Fiona’s eyes softened with emotion. “Your father has been thoughtful all these years.”
Sam smiled, “While this garden hasn’t changed, the street ahead has transformed quite a bit. Since we’re here, why don’t I show you around?”
The elderly couple nodded in agreement.
As they reached the food street, they spotted a long line outside a pastry shop. Fiona squinted her eyes, trying to get a better look. “Is that… Boulangerie?”
“Yes! It’s still the old shop. It’s never moved. Over the years, it’s even become a trendy spot for visitors.”
“Minnie always loved their castella,” Fiona said, her voice trailing off with fondness.
“Take a seat over here. I’ll go stand in line,” Sam suggested.
They sat in the café next door, where water and chairs were provided for tourists. After walking for quite a bit, the couple were somewhat tired and didn’t reject Sam’s offer.
As Sam stood at the back of the line, he estimated it might take about ten minutes before he reached the counter. Suddenly, he heard a familiar voice call out his name.
“Mr. Cooper?”
He looked up to see Miranda waving at him from the front of the line. “It really is you! I almost didn’t recognize you. What’s the CEO doing, waiting in line for pastries?”
Sam chuckled. “What brings you here?”
“Just taking my parents for a walk around Garrison Garden.”
“Where are your parents?” Sam asked, glancing around but not spotting Mindy or Lionel.
“They got tired and went to rest in the café next door. I’m here to stand in line because my mom suddenly craved some castella,” Miranda said with a smile.