Chapter 3

After hours of walking, Rosie finally reached the bus station, her feet aching but her spirit unbroken. A bus pulled in, its destination sign not registering with her; she didn't have a particular place in mind. All she knew was that she needed to get away from the toxic environment and negative energies surrounding Archie and his family. 

She boarded the bus with a singular focus; to create distance and start anew. Her thoughts were consumed by the baby growing inside her; this tiny life was all she had left to hold onto, and she was determined to protect it at all costs.

As the bus doors closed behind her, she felt a sense of liberation wash over her; she was taking control of her life, and that of her unborn child. Wherever the bus was headed, it was far enough.

As the bus pulled into the station, Rosie stepped off and onto unfamiliar ground. The moment her feet touched the pavement, her stomach growled loudly; reminding her that she hadn't eaten all day. 

She had rushed out early, and the events that followed had left her famished. Rubbing her belly in a gentle, nurturing gesture, her eyes scanned the surroundings and landed on a cozy-looking restaurant across the way. The aroma of food wafted through the air, and her stomach rumbled again, urging her toward the promise of a warm meal. 

Rosie hurried to the roadside, her eyes darting left before she hastily crossed the street without checking the other direction. She quickened her pace toward the restaurant, her excitement growing with each step. But as she reached for the door handle, her enthusiasm came to an abrupt halt. 

A sudden realization hit her; she had nothing with her, no cash, no card, no way to pay. Her hand lingered on the door as disappointment washed over her, her hunger momentarily forgotten in the face of her financial predicament.

Her hand slipped off the door handle as she reluctantly stepped back, her eyes dropping to the ground. She rubbed her stomach absently, her footsteps heavy with disappointment as she walked away.

Her gaze remained fixed on the ground, her movements slow and labored. As she trudged along, her weakened state caused her to stumble, and she collided with an elderly man, almost losing her balance, while the man fell to the ground.

"Ah!"

Startled, Rosie took a step back, a soft "Oh!" escaping her lips as she covered her mouth with her hand. She quickly moved to his side, bending down to offer assistance.

"I'm so sorry," she said, her voice filled with genuine regret. "I'm really sorry."

The man dusted off his trousers, his gaze fixed downward. "It's fine," he said with a gentle smile. "Young lady, you should watch where you're going." 

"I was--" Rosie wanted to explain, but before she could finish, the man's eyes locked onto hers, and his expression changed to one of surprise and curiosity; as if something about her had caught his attention, leaving him momentarily flummoxed.

The man's voice was low and gentle as he said, "Hazel." 

Rosie's expression was puzzled as she looked at him, unsure why he was using that name. 

His face lit up with a warm smile. "Park Hazel," he said, his tone questioning. "Where have you been? Why didn't you come back to me? I've been searching for you." 

"I'm Rosie. You're calling me by my mother's name. My mother is Hazel." She corrected, guessing the resemblance between her and her dead mother was the reason for the mix-up. 

He scanned her from head to toe and peered at her face, pointing at her in disbelief. "You're Hazel's daughter?" He let out, amazed. 

Rosie nodded, confirming her full name, "Yes, sir. My name is Park Rosie."

The man's curiosity was palpable as he asked, "Where's your mother?" His voice was laced with a longing that seemed to stretch back years. When Rosie cast her eyes downward, her expression turning somber, he sensed something was wrong. "Please take me to–"

Before he could finish, Rosie's words cut him off like a knife. "She died a long time ago."

The man's eyes widened in shock, and his body seemed to crumple under the weight of grief. He shook, his voice stammering, "wh... wha... what?"

Rosie swiftly moved to support him, clasping his arms to steady him. "Yes, sir. She died in a car accident." she confirmed softly, holding him as he struggled to process the news.

His gaze lifted toward the sky, and tears rolled down his cheek as he whispered, "Hazel…" His voice cracked with emotion, and more tears welled up in his eyes. "Why? Just why? Hazel, why did you die without letting me pay your debt?" 

Tears streamed down his face, and he wept openly, the depth of his grief suggesting a profound and long-held connection to Rosie's mother. His pain seemed to be a mix of loss, regret, and unresolved emotions, all coming to the surface in this moment.

Rosie felt the weight of the man's sorrow, but it paled in comparison to the ache in her own heart. She imagined that if her mother were alive, she would pour out her tears and find solace in her embrace. 

Unlike her father, who'd rejected her under the influence of her stepmother and brother, her mother would have welcomed her with open arms, offering love and understanding. The thought brought a pang of longing, and Rosie's eyes moistened as she stood there, supporting the grieving man while her unspoken pain lingered.

Rosie forced a gentle smile, trying to offer what little comfort she could. "Sir, it's fate, and we have to accept it. Take heart," she said softly. But as she spoke, her facade began to crumble. 

Her smile faded, and tears welled up in her eyes. "Her death hurts so much... If she's alive, I wouldn't be going through all this," she confessed, her voice trembling. The tears she had been holding back threatened to spill over, and her words came out laced with the pain and longing she had been carrying since her mother's passing.

"She'd be here for me during the tough moments of my life... I'm sure no matter what, she wouldn't disown me. She would never chase me away…" The words cut deep, and the dam broke, releasing a flood of tears. 

Seeing her break down, the man's expression shifted from grief to concern. He composed himself, wiping away his tears, and gazed at her with compassion.

"What are you talking about?" He asked gently, his voice filled with empathy. "What's wrong? What are you going through?"

His eyes searched hers, inviting her to share her burdens, and for a moment, Rosie felt seen and understood. His warm smile and gentle eyes made Rosie feel at ease. "Talk to me. You can trust me." He encouraged, his voice full of kindness. 

Rosie hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper as she began, "Sir; " But before she could continue, her stomach growled loudly, betraying her hunger. 

"What do you think about a conversation over a meal?" He suggested.

"Thank you, sir." She accepted.