Even Samantha knew how passionately Anathea had once loved someone.
“I think his name was Gregory something… Gregory Sinclair? Was that it?” Samantha asked with a smile.
“He was three years your senior, right? You even showed me a photo. He really stood out in a group of students–tall and handsome. I have to say, you have great taste, Thea.”
Anathea smiled faintly, not expecting Samantha to remember something from so long ago so clearly. “You have an amazing
memory, Mrs. Hale.”
“You and Hannah used to be regulars here. Of course I remember!” Samantha laughed heartily.
“Oh, right. You used to write a bunch of stuff on sticky notes and stick them on the wall.”
She pointed to a wall across from them, covered in densely packed sticky notes left by past customers. “But the ones you two wrote were from so long ago–they fell off. I gathered them in a box and put them in the storage room. Hold on, I’ll go look for it.
11
“Mrs. Hale, there’s no need to go through the trouble. It’s been so long. We’ve long forgotten,” Anathea said, trying to stop her.
“That’s all the more reason to find them. Youthful memories are precious!”
Samantha then called over her husband, Damien Hale, who was cooking ravioli. “Damien! Look after those customers for me. I’ll be right back!”
“Got it!” Damien replied loudly.
“The storage room is dark. Don’t forget to take a flashlight so you don’t trip! Do you know where it is? Should I get it for you?”
“Yes, yes, I know. You’re such a nag,” Samantha chided playfully, but the laugh lines around her eyes were proof that the couple got along well.
When Anathea first came here to eat with Hannah, Damien and Samantha had already been an old married couple. They could understand each other perfectly with just one glance.
Working together with warmth and kindness, they drew in a steady stream of customers and slowly grew what had once been a tiny roadside stall under a makeshift canopy into a clean, fully equipped small restaurant with bright windows.
Even after all these years, their love remained strong. They were living the perfect life.
That used to be Anathea’s ideal life. Unfortunately, ideals and reality were entirely different.
Hannah noticed the flash of disappointment in Anathea’s eyes. She explained with a smile, “Mr. and Mrs. Hale are getting old, and the restaurant keeps them busy.
“They don’t really check their phones, so they’re not up to date with anything online. Mrs. Hale was just curious. Don’t take it to heart, Thea.”
Anathea nodded and took a bite of her ravioli. It was still as delicious as before. Her stor evening, finally calmed down.
h, which had been protesting all
Seeing this, Hannah continued, “By the way, your mom is basically fully recovered now. I’ve moved her into a small apartment under my name. She really misses you.”
“I know.” Anathea had exchanged messages with Fiona.
Anathea was happy to see Fiona looking healthier each day. But when Fiona had asked if everything had been handled and when she’d return to Syntherra, Anathea hadn’t known how to answer.
She’d only told Fiona not to worry, that when the time came, their family would be reunited.
Chapter 279
+25 BONUS
4
That was what Anathea wanted most right now. She played with the ravioli idly.
“Thea, I won this in the equestrian competition. You can have it!” Chloe suddenly pulled a medal out of her little backpack and held it out to Anathea.
“I was the only winner at first, but the kid who was just 0.1 seconds slower than me looked as if he was about to cry, so I said we could tie for first place. I’m so kind, right?”
“Of course! You’re the kindest and most adorable kid ever!” Anathea smiled as she took the medal from Chloe. It looked a little familiar, but she didn’t think much of it.
Chloe’s big, sparkling eyes were too easy to fall for. Anathea had no time to think about anything else.
Today’s Bonus Offer
