Goodbye, My Love

“I assumed she was there for Judie. Whenever Judie was reprimanded for trying to get others to beat me up, her mother would arrive to take her away.”

The memory stirred in Loraine a fleeting pang of envy for children with parents to shield them from their mistakes.

Marco reached out to gently touch her hair, affectionately ruffling it, and for a moment, Loraine’s mind drifted.

She no Longer needed to envy others. Now she had family who would stand by her, and a loved one.

Suddenly, Marco’s hand paused, and his eyes lit up with realization.

“Could it be that your being placed in the orphanage has something to do with her?” he asked.

Loraine hesitated, then admitted, “It’s not impossible.”

According to her family, her parents’ car accident had occurred not far from the village, near a cliff.

A previously elusive connection in Loraine’s mind began to solidify.

Her family had often remarked that as she grew older, she Looked more and more like her mother. Could it be that Zaria had seen her mother before, possibly even known about the accident, and mistaken Loraine for her?

If so, Zaria’s bewildered expression earlier would make perfect sense.

Marco observed Loraine’s furrowed brows and downcast eyes, noticing that she was Lost in thought and failing to respond for some time. A pang of regret washed over him for having broached a subject that clearly pained her.

When she had entered the orphanage, it was right around the time of her parents’ accident. By suddenly bringing up this incident, he had inadvertently caused Loraine to recall her deceased parents and a childhood filled with challenges.

Despite the care she had received from Eloise, Loraine’s time in the orphanage had been anything but easy. She had been bullied by Judie and covertly observed by someone with hidden intentions.

Marco exhaled softly, his heart aching for her. He pulled Loraine into a gentle embrace, patting her back soothingly as though comforting a child. “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have brought up those memories.

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They’re in the past. Don’t dwell on them. As for the Cooper family, you handle them as you see fit. If you want me to stay out of it, I’ll follow your lead.”

Loraine’s train of thought was interrupted by the warmth of Marco’s arms around her. His words, filled with Loyalty and tenderness, brought a simultaneous smile to her lips and a touch of emotion to her heart.

It was a sensation both amusing and deeply moving.

She leaned into him, her arms encircling his waist, and allowed herself to revel in the sincere affection enveloping her. It filled her heart and soul with a sweetness she had never known.

The hardships she had endured were now simply part of her life’s tapestry, neither glorified nor lamented. Yet, the empathy and care

Marco extended to the younger Loraine stirred something profound within her.

Marco seemed surprised for a moment, his eyes softening as he lovingly stroked her hair. The sensation reminded him of a Siamese cat that

Jimmie had once owned, and he found himself indulging in the comforting touch.