Chapter 16
Setting foot in this small town again, Violet felt disoriented.
Ten years seemed to have passed without leaving a trace here.
Except for changes in the street décor, the layout remained exactly as she remembered.
Coming to Charlotte’s nail salon, despite not seeing each other for years, they weren’t strangers–the moment they saw each other, they hugged tightly.
“Why’d you suddenly decide to come back?”
Faced with her bestie’s concern, Violet didn’t know what to say. Her eyes stung and tears rolled down her face.
“Violet, what’s wrong?”
Seeing her cry, Charlotte quickly handed her tissues. “Did Adrian hurt you?”
Violet couldn’t control her emotions, sobbing as she told Charlotte everything that had happened.
“Adrian’s such a piece of SHIT! You busted your ass putting him through school, gave up your own college acceptance, stayed with him through all those hard years in New Haven. Things finally get better and he pulls this backstabbing crap!”
Charlotte was furious, getting more worked up: “After everything you sacrificed for him!”
Instead, Violet calmed down: “Forget it, it’s over. I never expected payback anyway. From now on I’ll work with you here–just don’t get sick of
me.”
Charlotte quickly said: “Things are actually pretty good here now. I heard some big corporation’s coming to check out a project–they want to
build a resort.”
“See how the scenery outside hasn’t changed much?”
Violet nodded. Charlotte smiled: “That’s for tourism. Our tourism industry’s doing really well now. Life here’s pretty comfortable.”
After a few days, Violet found she really did like it–great environment, relaxed pace of life. Without all that pressure, Violet genuinely enjoyed
this lifestyle.
“Remember that temple we used to go to? It’s been renovated into a tourist spot now. They’re closed today–want to check it out?”
Violet followed Charlotte to the temple. The wishing tree at the peak looked exactly the same as ten years ago.
She could even see the wish plaque she and Adrian had hung together in that familiar corner.
She reached up, took down the plaque, and threw it in a nearby trash can.
“Why’d you throw away a perfectly good wish plaque?”
A voice near Violet’s ear startled her slightly.
She turned toward the sound and met a pair of warm brown eyes.
Realizing how close they were, Violet stepped back.
“Sorry, did I scare you?”
“I’m Ethan Rivers–just here as a tourist. I was curious, that’s why I asked.”
Crawling Rockt
17.29%
Chapter 16
Violet waved her hand: “It’s fine.”
She looked at the trash can containing the plaque that read “Never Leave Each Other,” forcing an ugly smile: “Don’t need the wish plaque anymore. Seeing it later would just be bad luck, so I’m tossing it.”
Ethan leaned closer: “You’re pretty practical about it.”
Violet felt bitter inside–if only she could really be that practical.
She went to the main hall and knelt before the seated Buddha.
Violet had prayed many times before, and every wish had been about Adrian. This time, she’d make a wish for herself.
She hoped that from now on, her life would go smoothly and she’d stay healthy.
Charlotte suddenly had a family emergency and went down the mountain early. Violet was in no hurry and took her time exploring the entire temple.
As she was about to leave, a monk stopped her and handed her a protection charm.
“Benefactor, your wishes will come true.”
He left after saying this cryptically, leaving Violet confused.
Going down the mountain, the sky suddenly darkened and thunder rumbled. Then fat raindrops started falling.
Violet knew there was a small pavilion on this path and ran toward it, but on the way she spotted someone collapsed by the roadside.
Getting closer, she saw it was Ethan Rivers, who’d talked to her at the temple.
Seeing his pale face and hand clutched to his chest, she didn’t hesitate–immediately went over to ask what was wrong.
“Ethan, what’s happening?!”
Hearing her call, Ethan barely opened his eyes: “Medicine…”
Violet frantically searched his pockets, finally finding a small pill bottle and putting the pills in his mouth.
The rain got heavier, soaking them both.
Violet helped the semi–conscious Ethan to the pavilion.
As it got dark, Violet heard people calling Ethan’s name nearby and quickly responded.
After handing Ethan over to his bodyguards, Violet went home.
