The Enigmatic Return (Nancy’s And Roxanne )

From beginning to end, her tone was very calm, completely devoid of any emotional undertones. It was as if she were telling someone else’s story.

But as her words fell, Wrenn’s face was already covered in tears.

While Neera spoke, she kept her eyes downcast, her fingers idly caressing the rim of the cup. Now, she looked up

and couldn’t help but pause.

She opened her mouth, then closed it again, taking a long moment before she softly asked, “Why are you crying…

})

There was a hint of helplessness in her tone.

She pulled out a piece of tissue paper and handed it to Wrenn. “It’s all in the past now. For me, those things have become an insignificant past.”

Wrenn was crying so hard that her eyes became red and swollen.

She took the piece of tissue, wiping away the tear stains on her face. Yet, her tears fell even more fiercely, leaving her unable to utter a single word for quite some time.

After a long pause, she was still crying, her voice filled with sobs. Suddenly, she said, “Neera, if only I had known about your past, I would never have treated you that way, no matter what…”

To Neera’s surprise, Wrenn’s first words were actually these, leaving her slightly stunned.

And the words that followed caused a slight change in her expression.

“Neera, you were so young, and life was so tough for you. Those years must have been very hard, weren’t they…”

Neera was taken aback once again.

When Adriana came to take her away years ago, the first thing she said upon meeting Neera was the

same.

gently stroking her face, tears streaming down

gently, “No matter how hard it was, it’s all

the more she downplayed it, the more it hurt Wrenn’s heart.

had never truly understood

those past events now, she felt such deep regret. She was filled

beyond her

life, nor had she

girl to grit her teeth

Sat, 9

95%

sapling, thrown into the muck yet not giving up, tenaciously drawing on every bit of hope that

that Neera could endure all these hardships was truly a

about it, the more it hurt her heart. If only she had taken the time to understand Neera from the very beginning instead

and experiences – none of these were things she

so, she remained resilient, growing into the person she is today and reaching heights that no

like no

now, at this moment, that I realize how

took a deep breath, handed her another tissue,

time, and looking back now, I don’t think it was that difficult. We all have to take life one step at a time. Even if

listened with a heavy heart, unable to fathom the amount of hardship Neera must have endured behind her nonchalant

Wrenn had cried enough, she began to

known this earlier, I wouldn’t have let

really care either

already repaid all past favors I owe them. What I should have done, and even what I shouldn’t have done, I’ve done it all. Even if this matter gets exposed, I have nothing to fear. I don’t care about others pointing fingers at me or what they might say, so you don’t need to worry about me too much. If you run into them in the future, do

hearing this, Wrenn lightly bit her lip, suddenly letting out a long sigh.

your feelings. I just regret that I understood you too late, that I once listened to one-sided stories and treated you so poorly. If I had known how hard it had been

her eyes, a smirk abruptly tugging at the corner

your feelings, and I’ll say it again: what’s past is past. Whether it’s my past experiences, or previous misunderstandings, you had your convictions back then, and I don’t blame you. As for what happened with Thora later, you had your thoughts, and your intentions were good. It ultimately