جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 50

Lilian Roseforth POVThat evening, after the bakery was closed and all the others had gone home, I stayed behind. The shop was quiet, filled only with the faint scent of yeast and cinnamon, and the soft glow of the lamp on the counter. I sat there, resting my elbows on the wood, and let my thoughts drift back over everything that had happened—from the day I first met Gabriel, through the lies and the heartbreak, to the man who had sat across from me just hours ago, talking honestly about his struggles and his efforts to change.For a long time, I had thought that holding onto the hurt was a form of protection. If I kept the memory of what he had done sharp and clear, I told myself, I would never be fooled again. If I let myself feel the anger and the disappointment, it meant I respected myself enough not to let it go unacknowledged. But lately, I had begun to wonder: was it really protecting me? Or was it becoming a heavy weight I carried around, even when I did not mean to?I thought

Lilian Roseforth POVIt was a bright Saturday morning, and the bakery was bustling with customers when the bell above the door chimed, and Gabriel walked in. He had visited many times before, but never with the slight air of nervousness he carried now. He waited patiently near the counter until there was a lull in the activity, then stepped forward with a small, respectful smile.“Good morning, Lilian,” he said. “I hope I’m not interrupting your work.”“Not at all,” I replied, wiping my hands on my apron. “What brings you here today?”He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a simple, elegant envelope. He held it out, but not insistently—his fingers rested lightly on the edge, as if giving me every chance to refuse it before he even spoke.“I wanted to invite you to an event I’m organizing,” he said. “It’s a charity dinner and auction, all proceeds going toward funding shelters, food banks, and training programs for people living in poverty across the city. It’s something I’ve

Lilian Roseforth POVThe event had ended, the last guests had said their goodbyes, and the hall was quieting down. Volunteers were packing up decorations and leftover food, their voices soft and cheerful as they worked. I had stayed a little longer, helping to tidy a few tables, when Gabriel approached me—this time without the busyness of the evening around us, without an audience, without any need to play a part.“Would you mind stepping outside for a moment?” he asked gently. “There’s a small garden at the back, and it’s quiet there. I’d like to speak with you properly, if you’re willing.”I nodded. “Yes, that would be nice.”We walked through a side door into a small, peaceful garden. The air was cool and fresh, carrying the scent of night-blooming flowers. There was a stone bench near the wall, and we sat—keeping a comfortable distance between us, as we always did. Above, the stars were bright and clear, and the noise from the street was far enough away that it felt like our own l

Lilian Roseforth POVThe morning sun was filtering through the bakery windows, casting long golden streaks across the wooden counters, when Marco arrived. He came in as he always did—with a warm smile and a steady step—but there was something different in his expression today. A quiet seriousness, as if he carried something important he needed to share.“Good morning, Lilian,” he said, coming to stand near the counter.“Good morning, Marco,” I replied, wiping my hands on my apron. “You look like you have something on your mind. Is everything all right?”He nodded, but his smile softened into something more thoughtful. “Everything is well, but… I do have something to tell you. Would you have a moment to talk in the back?”“Of course,” I said, leading the way to our small office where we could speak privately.Once we were seated, Marco took a breath and began to speak. “I received a letter a few days ago—from a company in the capital. They have offered me a position there, as a senior

Lilian Roseforth POVThe sun had dipped lower, casting long shadows across the garden and turning the air soft and golden. For a long moment after Gabriel finished speaking, neither of us moved. The full truth lay between us now—raw, clear, and unhidden. There were no more secrets to uncover, no more shadows to fear. Only the past, laid bare, and the present, waiting to be understood.I turned to face him fully, my heart steady and my mind clear. This was the moment to speak plainly, just as he had done. To give him the truth, not to hurt him, but so there would never be any confusion between us again.“I have listened to everything you said,” I began, my voice calm but firm. “Every detail, every mistake, every thought you kept hidden. And I believe you when you say you understand now, and that you are trying to be different.”I paused, choosing my words carefully, knowing how important they were. “But I must be honest with you, just as you have been with me. I do not know if I can lo