Chapter 40
Staring at the complex man before her, Daphne felt a ripple stir within her heart. []
“When you let me go, how did you manage to pay off your debts?” she pressed.
A flicker of emotion crossed Calvin’s gaze before he answered slowly, “Meeting you changed my outlook. You gave me the motivation to move forward.” []
He paused, then continued, “After I let you go, the Green family was arrested because of the incident. That gave me a chance to breathe, and I clawed my way up to where I am now.” []
“The Green family…” Daphne murmured. Every time she heard those words, a sharp pain stabbed at her head, as though needles were piercing her skull. []
A strange, indescribable emotion welled up within her, but she forced herself to endure and pressed on.
“The person who planned my kidnapping–what’s her name?”
Calvin nodded slightly and uttered the name that sent a chill down her spine: “Charlotte.” []
The name felt eerily familiar, like a long–lost puzzle piece clicking into place. Who was Charlotte, and what connection did she have to Daphne?
Fragments of memories flickered in Daphne’s mind, blurry yet tantalizingly close, as if they were struggling to surface.
But the more she reached for them, the worse her head throbbed. The world around her began to spin, and a deafening ringing filled her ears like crashing waves.
“Daphne, what’s wrong?!” Calvin exclaimed, rushing to steady her as she swayed.
Daphne couldn’t explain it herself. Her head felt like it was splitting apart, as though something was clawing its way out of her mind.
Clutching her head, she stared at the aquarium’s fish gliding serenely through the water. Flashbacks burst through her consciousness in quick, chaotic flashes.
The ringing in her ears intensified, drowning out all other sounds. Though Calvin’s lips were moving, she couldn’t hear a word he said.
“Daphne, are you okay? Let’s go to the hospital,” Calvin urged, gripping her hand in concern. []
But Daphne sank to the floor, her arms wrapped tightly around herself as a torrent of memories overwhelmed her.
Moments of happiness and heartbreak with Matthew, the malice and harm inflicted by Charlotte–it all came rushing back, vivid as if it had just happened.
Calvin knelt beside her, his heart aching as he gently pulled her into his arms. []
“Daphne, are you okay? Where does it hurt?” His voice was filled with worry and tenderness. []
“I think… I remember everything now,” Daphne whispered, her voice choked with emotion as tears glistened in her eyes. []
Forsaking the Years of Longing
Chapter 40
The tears streamed down her face, falling onto Calvin’s shoulder, silently narrating the pain of her past.
Calvin held her tightly, his hand softly brushing through her hair. He didn’t know exactly what Daphne had gone through or what she had forgotten, but in this moment, he only wanted to be by her side. []
They stayed like this for a long time until Daphne slowly rose to her feet.
Calvin’s eyes were filled with concern, but he didn’t dare ask her anything further.
“Did you know? I was married once,” Daphne said, her voice hollow as she stared at him, her face streaked with dried
tears.
Calvin’s heart clenched at her words. He could see that this memory wasn’t a happy one.
Gently wiping the tears from her cheek, he looked at her with steady resolve. “I don’t know what you’ve been through, but I want to be here for you.”
Hearing this, Daphne felt a mix of joy and sorrow. She covered her face, sobbing silently. [
Calvin softly moved her hands away and leaned in, placing a gentle kiss on her lips. It was light and fleeting, like a butterfly landing on a wound, careful not to hurt her further.
Daphne hesitated no longer. She stood on her toes and pressed her lips to his, their shared scars intertwining in an unspoken promise of healing together.
