She paused momentarily, crouching down to pick up the object.
Turning it over, she noticed the red sachet embroidered with a few crooked golden letters stitched with gold thread.
May Mimi find peace and happiness forever.
A sudden gust of wind arose, setting the chimes into a frenzied clatter, echoing within Mila’s heart, drowning out all other sounds and people around her.
…
Meanwhile, on the other side of town.
Due to the long-standing friendship between Felicity and Mrs. Harvey, the Montgomery and Harvey families had, as they did every year, planned a visit to the church to light candles and pray.
Giselle, who had never been involved in this tradition due to her time abroad, joined them for the first time this year.
The group made their way up the church steps.
Walking alongside Conrad and Charles, Lysander suddenly heard the chime of bells, causing his heart to skip a beat. He instinctively turned toward the sound, only to see a tree adorned with fluttering red ribbons and the bustling crowd.
Nothing unusual.
What are you looking at?
Giselle, who was chatting with Felicity, noticed Lysander’s distracted gaze at the tree and couldn’t help but ask.
Lysander shook his head, Nothing.
Just then, a priest approached, leading their group towards the inner sanctuary, as the Montgomery family was a major benefactor of the church.
Lysander turned to follow, missing the moment when Mila rose from beneath the tree.
…
He is back!
Mila stood before the ancient tree, clutching the sachet tightly, her face pale, her eyes dark and filled with a complex mix of emotions.
Roland hadn’t lied; he truly was back.
Was he somewhere here in this church?
If he had come, why was he avoiding her?
She had always known about the close relationship between her mother-in-law and Mrs. Harvey, how they would meet every year to light candles during the New Year. But Giselle had been abroad, never returning for the holidays, so it hadn’t seemed so significant.
Now, as she went through her divorce, the Harvey family was present as a complete unit.
Life was unpredictable, yet oddly predictable at the same time.
…
As they walked towards the rear sanctuary, silence lingered between them.
Eugene kept a careful eye on Mila’s expression, sensing her silence, he tentatively spoke up, Sister, are you okay?
Mila smiled, We need to find Aunt quickly; we can’t let her see them.
If Aunt saw this scene, it wouldn’t be a peaceful prayer, and might even end up in the papers or the hospital, and that’s not worth it during the New Year.
Seeing her demeanor, Eugene knew she was alright.
He nodded with a smile, agreeing to her plan.