Shattered Longings

Chapter 31 Never Wanted to See Him This Badly Before

That night, Bella was plagued by restless nightmares. When she finally woke up, the details of the dreams had already faded, leaving behind only a lingering sense of panic and fear. It felt as if she had lost something in her dreams, but she couldn’t remember what it was.

The morning sun was shining brightly outside, and after her usual routine of tending to the flowers and plants in the courtyard, she decided to buy some fruit and fresh flowers and visit Dorothy’s grave.

It was her first time visiting since she had returned. She couldn’t quite explain it, but she had felt a subtle resistance before, maybe even fear.

Perhaps it wasn’t resistance but rather a deep fear that the grave would remind her that everyone she cared about had left her, leaving her all alone.

The grass around the cemetery was lush, with tall, nameless trees providing shade. A gentle breeze rustled through, as if afraid to disturb the peaceful atmosphere.

The small black–and–white photo on Dorothy’s tombstone was dust–covered, making it hard to see clearly. Bella used her sleeve to carefully wipe it clean, revealing Dorothy’s gentle smile. She smiled back.

“Mom, I’m here.”

In the lower–left corner of the tombstone, there were a few lines of small text listing the people connected to the deceased. Bella’s name was there, along with Richard’s.

Bella Jones“.

“Friend, Richard Miller“.

that Richard and Dorothy had been just ordinary friends. If that had been

she could have stood in

liked him.

footsteps approaching

her brow furrowing slightly. It was the same man who had brought a child to the hospital.

on his way

this, Bella’s heart started to race with fear. Even though Leonard had dealt with her previous troubles, there was no guarantee that this man

to leave by taking a different path, but the man quickly rushed forward and tackled

strength difference between them was too great. The man’s large

money, and you wouldn’t give. 1t, and then you went and got someone to mess with me! Who’s

and keep your life, but no,

only able to make muffled sounds as tears welled up from the

hanted to see