Chapter 94

Sarah’s grip on the phone tightened slightly.

She had anticipated resistance, but hearing it still made something twist in her chest.

“Grandma’s birthday only comes once a year, Alex. You can visit Aunt Linda anytime,” she said, keeping her voice even.

A sigh came from the other side. “I guess…” He didn’t sound convinced.

Sarah closed her eyes briefly,

She knew pressing him further would only make him more resistant, so instead, she decided on another approach.

Later that evening, she found Arnold at his cottage, sitting in his usual chair, flipping idly through an old book. He barely looked up when she entered.

“Can you talk to Alex?” she asked without preamble.

Arnold turned a page, his face impassive. “About what?”

“Grandma’s birthday. He’s reluctant to come. Maybe if you talk to him, he’ll reconsider,” she said, crossing

her arms.

Arnold finally glanced at her, studying her for a moment. “And you’re not going to ask me to come?”

Sarah looked away. “That’s not what this is about.”

He exhaled through his nose, closing the book. “Fine,” he muttered. “I’ll talk to him.”

That was all she needed. She left without another word, walking back home with Alex. They barely spoke, and though she tried to brush off the lingering discomfort, it clung to her like a shadow.

Saturday arrived with a quiet kind of joy.

The house was filled with the warm scent of baked pastries and fresh flowers, the soft murmur of family members exchanging laughter and greetings.

presented his carefully chosen gift to Grandma, a beautifully embroidered shawl in her favorite

her, Alex shifted awkwardly, hands empty.

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Farewell-

Chapter $4

her gentle

smile, expecting nothing extravagant,

hesitated, glancing at Sarah with a look of

His shoulders tensed,

a kid, Alex. What Mom and

frame melted almost instantly. “Oh,” he said, relieved. “That

way Sarah’s expression cooled

seen the way he scrambled when it came to Linda’s birthday–not only remembering the date but counting down the days, eagerly anticipating it as if it were a festival of its

had put thought into it, made it

had money to buy a gift, he could have drawn something–he was more than capable of sketching a heartfelt piece. Grandma

he hadn’t thought of it. Not even

made her reluctant to remind him

thoughts swirling beneath the surface like an unmoving tide. Some things, she supposed, were simply not

she

moment Grandma unwrapped the package, the faint yet distinct fragrance of aged herbs filled the air.

herbal wine?” Grandma murmured, eyes

Grandma. I knew you would appreciate

old lady’s gaze as she looked at her granddaughter. “This wine is almost

Sarah admitted with a

delighted chuckle escaped Grandma’s lips as she turned the wine pot in her hands. “I

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Crippled Luna’s Farewell.

Chapter 54

this in decades,” she said, her tone laced with nostalgia. “Back then, only the most esteemed elders

have

admiration rippled through

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