Chapter 20: The Crossroads

Abigail found herself in a constant state of restlessness. Sleep eluded her, and she would often spend nights just staring at the magical hourglass. Its sand, stuck in time, mirrored her heart, unable to move on, unable to forget. She longed for Vincent, his comforting presence, his intoxicating scent, and his tender touch. The void he had left seemed impossible to fill, and every moment in her world felt like a punishment.

One afternoon, while Abigail was working at the museum, an incident changed everything. She was arranging a new exhibition, focusing on the artwork from the 19th century. Among the artifacts was a portrait of a woman, beautifully painted, capturing the essence of innocence and grace. But what caught Abigail’s attention was the striking resemblance the woman bore to her. The same blue eyes, the same auburn hair, the same smile that Vincent adored. It was like looking into a mirror. She quickly glanced at the signature at the bottom - it was Vincent’s.

The realizatio