For over twenty years, Hazel had carried this hope silently in her heart. Yet, deep down, she knew it was a futile dream. Her mother would never forgive her father, just as she could never forgive Ambrose.
Refusing to linger on these thoughts, Hazel brushed on light makeup, slipped into her favorite white dress, and stepped out. She watched a movie alone, ordered a couple’s meal for one, and rode the Ferris wheel in solitary silence.
When the Ferris wheel reached its peak, the sun dipped low on the horizon. The golden hues of the sunset bathed the city she had known since childhood in a tender glow. A soft breeze kissed Hazel’s face as she stretched out her arms, feeling as though her memories were unraveling and scattering into the evening wind.
As night fell, Hazel bought herself an ice cream and left the amusement park. She sat on a nearby bench, savoring the cold sweetness while gazing up at the starry sky.
The stars above had always been her solace. On those countless nights when she was cast out of her home, it was a younger Ambrose who had held her hand, lying beside her on the grass as they stared up at the heavens.
But none of that mattered now. People came and went, but the stars never faltered. No matter where she went, those same shimmering lights would always follow her, unchanging and eternal.
After finishing her ice cream, Hazel stood and began walking home. The stars above twinkled softly as her phone buzzed with a message from Scarlett.
[Dad’s sweet-and-sour fish is amazing! You’ve probably never had it, right?]
Hazel opened the attached video. It captured a lively family dinner scene. Ambrose and Scarlett sat at the center of the table, surrounded by festive red decorations. Laughter echoed in the background as their families chatted about the upcoming wedding.
Scarlett’s petty provocation didn’t anger Hazel. She had endured countless jabs like this throughout her life. Instead, she found it absurd.
Wedding plans? Whose wedding were they truly planning? Hers or Scarlett’s?
Hazel didn’t see the point in arguing with Scarlett. With a calm resolve, she deleted the message, blocked Scarlett’s number, and opened her chat with Ambrose.
Their last conversation was over a week old.